Northeast and North Portland Neighborhood News
(Mo Bachmann at kenton Antiques)
By Julian Balsley and Ruby Perron For the Hollywood Star News
With the Columbia River to the north and I-5 to the east, the historic Kenton neighborhood sits in the heart of North Portland.
Known for the 31-foot-tall Paul Bunyan statue that towers over the neighborhood in flannel and denim, the buildings below his bearded grin were once a town all their own.
A sense of self-sufficiency is still very much alive today, a feeling evident the moment you step onto Denver Avenue. The street, made of carefully laid concrete bricks, runs through the center of the neighborhood like a river, holding the community together. The brick storefronts lining the avenue have a vintage air despite their well-kept, cheerily painted doors and awnings.
You can find every type of Portlander strolling down Denver Avenue, from elderly couples on their way to brunch at Po’Shines Cafe De La Soul to young business people on their day off, arms piled high with plants from Little Roots to casual strollers sifting through the endless shelves of goodies at Kenton Antiques & Collectibles.
Kenton business owners have had a difficult two years, but are by and large hopeful. Their doors are open, their smiles are wide and they’re happy to be back.
Comfortably bellied up to Denver Avenue, Kenton Antiques & Collectibles thrives in the heart of the Kenton business district. Kenton Antiques is a neighborhood staple, providing the community with high-quality antiques and other knickknacks for over two decades. Beneath a purple awning sweeping you through the glass double doors, the store is packed wall to wall with vintage items of all sorts. Anything you could think of, Kenton Antiques has it and four more to boot.
Owner Mo Bachmann took over the store in 2009 – though knowing nothing about antiques – after learning the previous owner was looking to sell. Bachmann has been the Kenton Business Association president for 11 years, The store serves as what she calls an “informal meeting spot” for the community to gather and discuss neighborhood news.
Bachmann loves to give back to the community she’s been a part of since she moved to Portland in 2005. She hosts several food and clothing drives each year and is always willing to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need.
“I truly believe that we have to help each other out first and foremost,” said Bachmann.
Kenton Antiques specializes in all things antique and vintage and emphasizes the history of every piece in the store.
“I encourage kids to come through and learn about how cool antiques can be,” said Bachmann. “I strive to have a place that’s affordable for everyone because I think antiques and preservation should be accessible for everyone.”
Bachmann’s passion for her work is evident the moment you enter the store. In elementary school, I (Julian) walked into Kenton Antiques with my mom one day after school. Bachmann welcomed us with a smile, encouraging us to look around and see if anything caught our eye. Immediately, my attention landed on the shiniest, most dangerous-looking thing I could find: an old, wooden pistol, polished with obvious care. Bachmann let me hold the weapon, assuring my mother it was not loaded, and explained its history to me, what time period it was from, how she had come into possession of it.
My mother and I did not buy a pistol that day. However, I will never forget the time Bachmann took out of her day to teach a kid a little piece of history if only to occupy him for a minute so his mom could catch a breather.
Kenton Antiques is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Address: 8112 N. Denver Ave. Phone: 503-490-8855. Instagram: @KentonAntiques.
Little Roots PDX was founded on a true passion for plants. While in school studying physical therapy, owner Tracie Wong decided to take a leap of faith and start her own indoor houseplant business.
Wong started selling at the Portland Night Market and later got her first brick-and-mortar shop in the Lloyd District in 2017, which she shared with other creatives.
Growing up, Wong spent time at her grandparent’s house in Kenton. So, when a space opened up there, Wong jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the business community.
The opening of the current Little Roots shop was not without difficulty. Wong says when starting Little Roots she worked many side jobs to fulfill her dreams of opening the store. Not long after the Denver Avenue location opened, the COVID-19 pandemic began. Shortly thereafter, Little Roots closed for four months.
“It was one of those things where I didn’t even know if we would get to reopen. Or is it going to be so detrimental, financially, that I just have to close?” said Wong.
Luckily, Little Roots seems to have weathered the worst of the storm, and Wong is optimistic that Little Roots will persevere. Offering a wide variety of plants, what stands out about Little Roots is Wong’s expertise and customer service.
“There’s a lot of plant shops all over, especially in Portland. It’s almost like Starbucks. I think what makes my place special is that I really want to set everyone up for success.”
Wong is not kidding. Her extensive knowledge about plants becomes clear as she talks about different species, her favorite of which is the Hoya, a tropical indoor plant. On her website, Wong details the variety of services she offers, including help to revive a stubborn plant.
Her passion for plants is evident upon entering the shop. Wong says she is frequently asked by customers, “How do I get into this sort of thing?” Wong usually responds with, “It’s about finding what makes you happy and doing that. I work a lot, but I’m happy doing that work versus working for somebody else and not doing something I enjoy.”
Little Roots is Open noon-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Address: 8120 N. Denver Ave. Phone: 503-894-8667. Instagram: @little_roots_pdx.
Founded in 2016, Mantel offers a wide variety of home and lifestyle items. From handmade ceramic pieces and glassware to refurbished vintage record players and cameras, Mantel has something for everyone.
As an art and ceramics teacher for Portland Public Schools, Karen McClelland had begun to dream about opening her own shop. McClelland got her master’s degree in teaching before working in the classroom for 12 years.
“I loved that job but felt ready for a new challenge,” she says. It was then that McClelland came up with the idea for Mantel.
McClelland and her friends, owners of Integrate Architecture (also Kenton neighbors), purchased the current building. “They encouraged me to go for my dream, adding that they also wanted to move into the space.”
The building is split between the two, with Mantel occupying the Denver street storefront. McClelland and her husband, Dave, completed much of the build-out of the interior, which is painted white and accentuated with the vibrant colors of their wares.
Two years after opening, McClellan began the online shop, which has flourished during the pandemic. Mantel’s Instagram page (@mantelpdx) boasts 19.7k followers. Items online frequently sell out. Most recently, that item has been an eye-catching, 3D-printed wooden vase. While the online shop has many goods to pique interest, in-store shopping provides the feeling of what Mantel is all about: local artistry and one-of-a-kind works.
Arranged on the walls of the shop are neat shelves covered in a variety of functional home pieces. Unique mugs from local artists and beautiful vases from abroad make the shop a must-see. My personal favorite among the lot is probably the Anna Von Lipa plates, which are handmade in the Czech Republic. The opaque pastel glass is reminiscent of a vintage piece, without the wear.
McClelland, who has lived in the neighborhood for 17 years, feels a true sense of community from other business owners and neighbors. She says: “It’s a small-town feel. The other business owners in downtown Kenton feel like family. We all watch out for each other.”
McClelland doesn’t see herself leaving Kenton anytime soon. “People always ask if I will move the shop to another location. Who knows what the future will bring but I tell them, for now, it’s Kenton or bust,” she says.
Mantel is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Address: 8202 N. Denver Ave. Phone: 503-289-0558. Instagram: @mantelpdx.
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