Neighborhood:
Multnomah Village Home to the closest thing Portland has to skyscrapers, the Southwest quadrant isn’t known for being particularly cute—except historic Multnomah Village. (read more) Situated along Southwest Capitol Highway between 34th and 36th avenues, this little patch of Portland is not only adorably quaint, it’s densely populated for such a tiny stretch of street. And though it feels far from Portland proper, really it’s just a quick jaunt down I-5 to Multnomah Boulevard; once you hit John’s Market (3535 SW Multnomah Blvd., 244-2617, johnsmarketplace.com)—one of the few places in Portland to get kegs outside the big distributors—you know you’re there. Start a day of shopping with breakfast at the family-owned, 35-year-old Fat City Cafe (7820 SW Capitol Highway, 245-5457, fatcitycafe.net) or Marco’s Cafe (7910 SW 35th Ave., 245-0199, marcoscafe.com), then get your antique on at M Antiques (3601 SW Multnomah Blvd., 245-6144), Multnomah Antiques (7764 SW Capitol Highway, 245-8283) or Pagenwood Restoring (7783 SW Capitol Highway, 246-6777). One of the city’s biggest and best toy stores, Thinker Toys (7784 SW Capitol Highway, 445-4585, thinkertoysoregon.com), allows kids hands-on playtime (so parents can chill…what a novel idea!). Speaking of novels, the independent bookseller Annie Bloom’s Books (7834 SW Capitol Highway, 246-0053, annieblooms.com), which has been in Multnomah Village since 1978, is known for stellar customer service. Looking for local fashion? Check out Anne Bocci Boutique (7824 SW Capitol Highway, 452-3711, annebocciboutique.com). Other than the above, the retail scene in Multnomah Village is all about home decor; our favorites are the bungalow-turned-boutique Jacqueline’s Found and Fabulous (7763 SW Capitol Highway, 244-1560) and Indigo Bath (7878 SW Capitol Highway, 780-2422, indigotraders.com), a storefront selling fabulous soap and traditional Turkish bath towels. —Laura Shinn
Featured in Pocket Shop 2009
Annie Bloom’s Books is the most recognizable of Multnomah Village’s quaint, friendly storefronts. Highlights: high bookshelves packed with new releases and rare oldies, a kids’ corner in the back and a staff with an encyclopedic knowledge of literature.
