One day, one place: Portland through its indie ethos
City happy to show off its DIY tendencies to visitors
Portland is a city that embraces its resident DIY-ers. Behind the doors of studios and warehouses, craftmakers create everything from quilts to knives to custom furniture, and they’re proud of it. Though you might get a glimpse at maker spaces when you duck in to buy the goods, some spots allow you to participate, with workshops and tours. This busy hub for artists and entrepreneurs is more than happy to share and show you the creative process up close.
MORNING
Start your engine with java at Nossa Familia. From the family-owned farm in Brazil to Portland, this is one the city’s coolest coffee stories and has the best beans in the Pearl District. Head to the espresso bar in the Pearl, or the new café in the city’s Central Eastside (across the river from downtown). Then grab breakfast at local favorite Screendoor, which blends Southern tradition with local produce. The praline bacon is key to a great breakfast.
Instead of buying a souvenir, learn to make one at ADX Portland. This maker space/cooperative has classes for making your own kitchen knives, Shaker tables, Japanese kumiko speakers, stacker rings, stained glass, woodcut watercolor prints and more. If you skipped out on too many shop classes in high school, brush up with Intro to Wood Shop. Those hesitant about jumping right in can start with one of the twiceweekly public tours.
MIDDAY
Portlanders know the best Mexican food in the city can be found at the food carts outside the Portland Mercado. The Mercado is a small-business incubator for the Latino community, and the carts are provided to families to help create jobs and build entrepreneurs. Wander among the options representing the diverse flavors of Latin America — from churros to Sonoran hot dogs, tlayudas to sandwich Cubano, and mofongo to arepas rellenas. If you’re a fan of mole, you’ll have a hard time finding better in the Pacific Northwest. AFTERNOON
Shop around for onlyin-Portland creations with a self-tour of some of the best boutiques. A shop dedicated to showcasing the talents of Portlandbased artists, designers and makers, MadeHere PDX brings the city together in one place. With hundreds of items — handmade guitars, jewelry, bike racks, bitters, chocolate, green tea, posters, stationery and tons of other things, you might have trouble walking away without something in your reusable shopping bag. At Kiriko, Japanese vintage fabrics embark on a second life to showcase traditional craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind finds. The impeccable craftsmanship at Orox Leather Co. spans four generations of leather makers beginning in Oaxaca, Mexico, to Japan and finally to Portland.
Next, visit Betsy & Iya, where one of the city’s early makers of simple yet elegant jewelry for men and women might make you reconsider your own collection at home. Finish up at Bull Run Distilling Co., home to Oregon whiskey — made by hand from local grains, aged in Oregon wood in a Portland warehouse. It’s darn good, and yes, you can get it in cask strength. EVENING
Shopping can be exhausting, but it can also make you hungry. Luckily, a short walk from Bull Run Distilling Co. is a culinary institution, and one of the oldest restaurants in Portland. In 1903, Besaw’s started as a beer parlor and gambling hall, and has seen many iterations (soda fountain, 24-hour diner and beloved brunch spot) since then. Today, after a move to a location two blocks away, it’s still a favorite and a comforting touchstone of the Portland dining scene.
The menu features updated and upscaled notions of comfort, from huevos rancheros to buttermilk waffles, meatloaf to sweet potato samosa, and hand-cut buckwheat pasta to pan-roasted mussels. Don’t be discouraged by a wai, because the food is worth it, and you can spend your wait time sampling the wine, draft beer and cocktails — another way in which Portland makers shine.