Neighborhood Gift Guide

As avid mid-week movie-goers, Living Room Theatre was an obvious choice for our guide. Located half a block from our storefront, this theatre is not like your standard multiplex. Offering plush oversized seating, an elevated yet intimate setting, and an in-theatre dining service and full bar, this 6-screen independent cinema is one of my favorites the city has to offer. Always showing a thoughtful blend of acclaimed independent and mainstream films, we particularly love their 21+ viewing hours—a perfect Valentine's Day outing, whether enjoyed solo or with a partner! 

Popcorn Serving Bowl ($350) | Living Room Theatre 341 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

4. Jerry Lin-Hsien Kung Whiskey Sipper + Rich's Cigar Shop

Offering Portland's largest selection of cigars, pipes, and tobacco for over 130 years, Rich's Cigar Shop is an old reliable for those quintessential masculine gifts. Established in 1894, Rich's continues to improve with age, taking great pride in personal service with just the right amount of bite and attitude. From tobacco enthusiasts to non-smokers, their range of tobacco products (they carry over 1,500 cigars), beautiful smoking supplies (lighters, cases, pipes, etc.), and a regularly updated stack of local and international magazines, allows for easy gifting at various price ranges. Though consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited on premises, our go-to gift is pairing a few of their cigars or cigarillos with a handmade whiskey glass and bottle of craft whiskey. 

Whiskey Sipper ($50) | Rich's Cigar Shop 820 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205

5. Fernhill Studio Linen Origami Bag + Word Virus Books

When you think of shopping for books in Portland, Powell's Books—our city's number one tourist attraction—is usually the first place that comes to mind. But sometimes we find ourselves searching for bookstores that feel a little more personal in scale and offer focused, niche selection. Enter Word Virus. New to our block since the fall of last year, Word Virus specializes in new and used books on literature, poetry, and the arts, and has a special place in the hearts of multidisciplinary artists and writers across the city. Owners Carly and Chadwick are sweet and unassuming, always at the ready to answer your questions without making you feel like you have to engage. Our Belgian Linen Origami Bags, made in collaboration with Fernhill Studio, make for a unique—and quick—way to giftwrap and carry your new books. Or if the dates align, stay a while and enjoy one of their public events, ranging from artistic performances and live readings to movie screenings and book club meetings. 

Linen Origami Bag ($16-20) | Word Virus 203 SW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

 

 6. Samuel Johnson Woodfired Mug + Courier Coffee

Before we shared a wall, Courier Coffee has long been a personal favorite! Unassuming, unpretentious, and entirely utilitarian, there is an inexplicable feeling when you walk into a space like Courier. Here, you'll witness the controlled chaos of baristas filtering coffee into mason jars, ice cubes hand-cut for coldbrew, large Ecuadorian chocolate chips melted into hot chocolate, and the city's best canale being discharged from their moulds with a Swiss army knife—all while a turntable riffs unpredictable records on the counter. Never one to commit halfway, owner Joel Domreis is obsessed with keeping coffee at its best versus its most convenient. Roasted in Southeast Portland and delivered all over town by bike—by Joel, mind you—every bag of single-origin beans is packed, stamped, and written by hand; all listing the varietal, farm, time and date of packing, and exact weight. Genuine to his core, Joel exudes a rawness and intensity that lends to the dedication and skill behind his craft. Whether you stop by for take-away or to grab a table to enjoy their house-made pastries, make sure to pick up a bag of freshly roasted beans on your way out. Nothing beats mornings at home with your favorite mug and the taste of third-wave Portland coffee. 

6.5. Soen

In 2016, Sakiko Setaka introduced kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) to Portland's food scene and has since turned her popular pop-ups into a permanent residence within Courier Coffee. Merging Soen's cult following with that of Courier's—Setaka's husband, Joel Domreis's shop, and love child—has resulted in a one-of-a-kind experience. Half of the shop now acts as Setakas workspace and playground, offering a rotating menu of Japanese staples such as miso soup, norimaki, curry, onigiri, porridge, dango, and kakigori during the warmer months, positioned alongside Courier's focused drink menu. It's obvious Setaka goes to great lengths to source authentic ingredients that exude warmth and care, further highlighting Japan's cafe culture. In true Japanese fashion, service is always courteous and prompt, despite there often being only one worker behind the counter covering everything from cooking and prep to serving and dishwashing. Though I am extremely biased, it's hard to come by a space imbued with such reliable hospitality and flavors to match. The pairing of Soen and Courier—Sakiko and Joel—creates a kinetic energy that is as unique and personal as it is mesmerizing.

Woodfired Mug ($65) | Courier Coffee and Soen 923 SW Oak St, Portland, OR 97205

 

7. Yonezawa Leather Bi-fold Wallet + Nakamuraya

Featuring Japanese streetwear, designer brands, and a top-tier selection of handpicked vintage, military surplus, and outdoor wear, Nakamuraya is a special slice of Portland's menswear scene. Bringing over 16 years of experience as a location scout for fashion shoots and music videos in Tokyo, owner Mitsuyuki Nakamura founded Nakamuraya in 2019 to introduce hard-to-find Japanese brands to the United States. Alongside familiar brands like UNDERCOVER, Nanamica, and Bedwin sit obscure labels scarcely seen in the United States, such as Sandinista, Tacoma Fuji Records, F/CE.®, and PHIGVEL MAKERS Co. We love the idea of combining our hand-crafted wallets from Yonezawa Leather with Nakamuraya's in-house line, which includes limited release items ranging from t-shirts and hoodies to tote bags. If you stop in for a gift or for yourself, make sure to pet the shop dog, Yuzu, for us!

Chari Leather Bi-fold Wallet ($250) | Nakamuraya 209 SW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97205

 

8. Pearl+ Pearl and Charcoal Bar Soap + The Marie Marie

A natural addition to our gift guide is The Marie Marie: a Portland perfume store named after a dog named after a Queen! I've long avoided perfume stores due to numerous childhood shopping mall traumas, but The Marie Marie positively rewrites these memories with a space that is intentional, distinct, and extremely luxurious. Focusing on artisan and niche global perfume houses with next to no physical presence in the United States, the store's selection and decor are comparable to a high-end perfumerie you'd find in London. Co-owned by Henry Aesoph and Nicole Miller—who are also partners in business at Mon Oile, a fragrance distribution agency—they have used their unique opportunity with Mon Oile to not only supply their boutique with obscure and highly sought-after shelf-scents, but to ensure they are accessible for other American stores to carry, too. Exploring niche fragrance is a great way to exude a sense of quiet luxury; paired with our nourishing and cleansing Pearl+ bar soap, you're sure to wow your significant other with a beautiful and thoughtful olfactory experience. 

Pearl and Charcoal Bar Soap ($25) | The Marie Marie 719 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205

 

West End Honorable Mentions

Halo Shoes 1050 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
Canoe 1233 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Nuvrei 1122 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97205
Stand Up Comedy 511 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
Midnight Sunlight 740 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
Akizawa Japanese Bistro 507 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
Spella Cafè 608 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
Kinokuniya 829 SW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
Kokoro 986 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205
Wildwood & Company and A Day In The Life Gallery 529 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Masu Sushi 406 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Poubelle and Marshall 724 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
Powell's Books 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Tiny Brambles 902 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205