Central Eastside Design District

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Grab some earplugs to protect your hearing when the whistle-blowing trains roll by, turn up your testosterone dial to keep aggressive contractors in their souped-up trucks from cutting you off and head for this lively design district in Portland where everything from paint to fine furniture to balloons for your next THANKS FOR WORKING ON OUR REMODEL bash awaits!

N. Mississippi Ave

Shoptalk-1.jpgThis vibrant, walkable historic district centered around N. Mississippi Ave. continues to draw independent proprietresses and purveyors of everything from antiques to specialty salt from around the world. Head here if you want an artsy-yet-sophisticated shopping experience among a young, independent crowd.

Cultural District

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Museum patrons and theatergoers know from the odd shop nestled in between arts institutions off the South Park blocks such as the Portland Art Museum, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts (think the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Newmark Theatre) and the Oregon Historical Society. Some of these specialty shops, though, merit a standing ovation of their own.

Burnside East

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Newly renamed, Burnside East—the business district between Sandy Blvd. and S.E. Stark St. between 39th and 12th avenues— has both a working class feel and enough boutiques geared to people with good taste to make a trek there worthwhile.

Old Town Chinatown II

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Think there’s nothing in this Pearl District-bordering neighborhood besides Chinese lanterns and Foo Dogs? Spend a couple of hours in the OTCT shops and you’ll score everything from chartreuse leather to cowboyobilia to architect-cool eyeglasses.

Old Town Chinatown

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Think there’s nothing in this Pearl District-bordering neighborhood besides Chinese lanterns and Foo Dogs? Spend a couple of hours in the OTCT shops and you’ll score everything from chartreuse leather to cowboyobilia to architect-cool eyeglasses.

Astoria I

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Hey, Frugal One! When your staycations become too boring to adhere to, gas up and get away to Astoria, “The Little San Francisco of the Northwest.” The oldest American city west of the Mississippi—it was founded in 1811—the town was once the Salmon Capital of the World. These days, it feels as if gentrification is just around the bend, so get there while the funky and the refined still stand side by side.

S.E. Belmont St. II

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S.E. Belmont St. is quickly becoming a competitor to the nearby—and much trendier—Hawthorne neighborhood. And with shops from the downright delicious (Saint Cupcake) to the ultra-stylish (Za Zen), you’ll be ready to spend an afternoon discovering all of this southeast street’s charms.