The action in the evolving Chinatown is focused on the corner of NW 5th and Couch. For maximum people-watching fun, hit it on a First Thursday when the evening crowds are drawn by opening receptions for exhibitions at the Portland Art Center, Jenn Armbrust’s cutting edge motel gallery, and Compound (as well as the nearby Everett Station Lofts).
If there is just one very good reason to head to the corner of 5th and Couch its Just Be Complex (107 NW 5th), Katsu Tanaka’s massive corner space with one foot in contemporary Japan and one foot in urban US. It’s an emporium of apparel and objects of limited distribution, vinyl figures and Japanese toys, limited edition sneakers (Nike, adidas, Vans), cool Japanese and design magazines. The mezzanine houses art gallery Compound, with monthly shows that often feature illustration-based or graff or skate-influenced artists and some great exhibitions of Japanese artists. Just Be also sells prints by many of the artists the gallery has shown, oh and rents anime DVDs! Find The Hundreds, Triumvir, Green Apple Tree, plus Bwana Spoons’ “I heart Steven” hoodies. We eat Japanese treats, buy sunglasses, Totoro plush toys, and TinPos.
Upper Playground (23 NW 5th) is the Portland outpost of the San Francisco-based urbanwear mega-brand/shop. It’s wall-to-wall with screened t’s, hoodies, bags, and more.
Stop in at motel gallery (19 NW 5th) where Jenn Armbrust’s serious dedication to emerging artists from across the US and Canada make for great, fresh exhibitions.
And no trip to 5th & C would be complete without a game of Tron (or Dr. Who pinball) at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade (511 NW Couch).
