It’s almost, but not quite, too early to call this a destination neighborhood. If it wasn’t for its proximity to the Pearl District (just across W Burnside) and Powell’s or the fact that the very of-the-moment Ace Hotel (1022 SW Stark) has just opened with its hub of a lobby, Clyde Commons restaurant, and Stumptown Cafe, we might hold on recommending a visit. But several of Portland’s most interesting shops have staked their claim here, along with restaurants like Masu and the new Living Room Theaters.
Just round the block from the Ace Hotel are two of Portland’s newest boutiques, Covet (429 SW 10th) carries Calleen Cordero belts (and soon shoes) plus Geren Ford, Tibi, Citizens of Humanity, Michael Stars, and plenty more. Frances May (1013 SW Washington) carries more innovative lines like the Portland-based Church and State and Emily Katz as well as Rachel Comey, Mooka Kinney, and Lorick.
Susan Tomkins was a pioneer in the Pearl District before it was the Pearl District, and has moved her luxe boutique Odessa (410 SW 13th) across Burnside to the New World where she still carries Mayle, Cacharel, Daryl K.
One of Portland’s two American Apparel (1234 SW Stark) stores is here with all of the rainbow colored jersey (in its many forms from leggings to t-shirts to rompers, dresses, and more) you’ve come to expect from this contemporary t-shirt juggernaut.
Canoe (1136 SW Alder) is one of Portland’s most beautifully edited stores and a mecca for those who love contemporary design. Canoe is full of modern objects for you, your kitchen, your bath, your office from a bentwood table/magazine rack to a boxed set of Western bird calls and a good selection of Heath ceramics.
Just down the street from Canoe, Elizabeth Dye relocated her popular shop The English Dept with modern feminine hard to find designers including Dye herself. As well, The English Dept is becoming the first stop for the bride who doesn’t want to look like she belongs on top of the cake.
Back toward W Burnside, for vintage-lovers, there’s the one-two punch (practically across the street from one another) of Red Light Clothing Exchange (1111 SW Stark) and Buffalo Exchange (1036 W Burnside).
