Of Portland’s many shopping streets, North Mississippi is unusual for a number of reasons. You’ll find apparel and gift shops, comics and antiques, great lunch spots, cafes, all within a very few blocks, and the whole street has developed only over a couple of years. It’s more casual than NW 23rd, more compact and edited than Hawthorne. It’s not far from adidas headquarters which might explain some of the high-style options on the street (like Phlox and the hippest children’s store in town: Black Wagon), and the fact that one of the street’s anchors is the Rebuilding Center with it’s cob bench and million-window facade of used windows and doors ensures the row isn’t too slick. Besides shopping there are breweries, bars, restaurants, cafes, and inexpensive lunch stops.
Start at the southern end, Pin-Me Apparel (3705 N Mississippi) and Amalee (909 N Beech) are two great shops for modern girls. Pin-Me Apparel was a pioneer on the street, the first boutique on the row. Liz Piexoto and Sally Schwartz’ Pin-Me carries Stussy Girl, Hype, Kitchen Orange, and they’re one of the only shops in town that carries a wider range of sizes. We love the Orla Kiely totes, and the Melissa totes smell like summer. Amalee is the new kid on the block (actually, just off the block on N Beech around the corner from Pin-Me) with a great mix of fun, reasonably priced separates and a few vintage accessories in a great bright space with its cool black and white graphic Mod-Victorian wallpaper where Amanda Senten and Leeann Molinari will take good care of you.
At blue (3753 N Mississippi), Sheareen Redlener has a mix of hip goods for girls and guys with skater overtones and an 80s bottom. She carries lines like Obey, RCVA, Insight, Vans, Soundgirl, Fluffy, La Ciel Divine, Pre-loved, Frozen Peas Accessories, Poketo, Uzi NYC, and Portland’s Hecklewood. Find screened t-shirts, fun sunglasses, great bags, all at reasonable prices.
Up N. Mississippi and across the street, Barbara Seipp’s Phlox (3962 N Mississippi) is definitely the higher-end boutique on the street with exceptional dresses from Corey Lynn Calter and Tibi that are thoroughly modern (the Tibi prints are amazing) and separates with delicious fabrics and details. Even the basics are extraordinary like the white jaquard t-shirt we saw on a recent visit that felt like a cloud.
Black Wagon (3964 N Mississippi) is THE spot for hip kidswear in Portland. From cheeky screenprinted t’s to smart little man separates and cute stuff for girls, retail vet Sarah Shaoul carries lines like Van’s, Monster Industries, Appaman, Small Paul, and Dirty Laundry. Is your son a future skater? Is your daughter an iconoclast? You’ll want to shop for them here.
Don’t miss the sweet little finches in the white cage near the back of Flutter (3948 N Mississippi). With its rich aqua walls and something to see everywhere you look, Flutter says it has a “delightful disarray of found objects and clutter,” but really it is artfully stocked with the found (lovely vintage objets) and the finds (good things for you, for gifts like paper goods, bath, jewelry). We want Cecily Ink stationery.
Porch Light is a trip to a cross between a 1950’s farm kitchen and a general store with ceramics and glasswear, dish towels, soaps, novelties, and vintage-inspired paper goods. Much of the shop is reasonably priced antique (or maybe not old enough to be considered antiques, perhaps “collectible” is a better term) objects (or recreations) for you, your kitchen, home, and your kids.
The main stop for guys on N. Mississippi (besides blue) isn’t on Mississippi at all, but on N Shaver, half a block off Mississippi. Sameunderneath (915 North Shaver) is a growing success story of a Portland-based label that started with printed t’s, moved into hip urbanwear, and has incorporated a green element (bamboo jersey) in great recent collections for both men and women. This location includes their retail shop as well as their world headquarters.
If you need a cup of coffee in the morning, Fresh Pot (4001 N Mississippi), at the north end of the strip is a local favorite and one of the neighborhood pioneers while the more centrally located Blue Gardenia Bakery (3747 N Mississippi) has great treats and coffee. A casual al fresco lunch can be had at Laughing Planet (3765 N Mississippi) for a song.
