Updated by Kate Hagan Gallup
Support local throughout the Portland-area by shopping at these fabulous small businesses run by BIPOC-owners. At these places, you’ll find the perfect gift — or just something fun for yourself! — including leather goods, tasty pastries, art and more. Happy shopping!
Home Goods
Plant lovers can fill their homes and gardens at Birds and Bees Nursery (pictured above) and Larkspur Portland, both in Southeast. Kids will also love Birds and Bees’ excellent selection of fairy-garden accessories. Pro tip: Birds and Bees is part of the Equitable Giving Circle — an organization that focuses on entrepreneurship and food insecurity — and partners to get free plants to BIPOC folks. Larkspur Portland is also a plant shop that focuses on community building and is an Oregon Benefit for Good Corporation. It partners with local organizations to offer free monthly therapeutic horticulture group sessions.
Third Eye Books was opened by Charles Hannah and his wife, Michelle Lewis in 2019 to showcase African centered books, accessories and gifts. Pro Tip: Browse the curated collections online to find the perfect theme for your next read.
Clothing & Accessories
Founded by designer and tailor, Komi Jean Pierre Nugloze, N’Kossi Couture Fashion & Alterations in Pioneer Place, features beautiful, custom-made fashion primarily made from West African fabrics and inspiration. It’s impossible to leave here without looking stunning!
Mimi’s Fresh Tees creates colorful, impactful T-shirts with a purpose: like “Love over hate” and “Stop racism now!”
Started by local mom Ivy Chuang, Blendily, offers botanical skincare products for head-to-toe self care. (And even a balm for baby bums!) Bonus: Ingredients are locally sourced and the company is committed to sustainability.
Started in 1956, Dean’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop has been making sure its customers leave happy and looking good. It’s the oldest African-American salon in the state! And over at Divinity Salon, owner Anita Tucker has 31 years experience for all hair texture types and ages.
Finely hand-crafted leather goods is a family tradition for Jose Martinez and his sons (pictured above). At Orox Leather Co., purses, wallets, belts and more are designed with durability and timelessness to become heirloom pieces.
Food & Drink
Need a seriously spectacular kid’s birthday cake or a bunch of celebratory cake pops? Portlanders rave about DB Dessert Company.
When you’re in need of a proper caffeination, visit Bison Coffee House, Portland’s only Native-owned coffee shop. This Cully neighborhood joint features beans from Native-owned and operated roasters. The house-made baked goods are tasty, too. For delicious authentic Ethiopian coffee, visit Yigebe Coffee on Sandy Boulevard. Their coffee is ethically sourced from Ethiopia and the shop is named after Grandma Yigebashal Mulat, affectionately known as Grandma Yigebe.
Billed as “Portland, Oregon’s first Indigenous dining restaurant” Javelina (pictured above) serves what it describes as Powwow Comfort food. For those unfamiliar, think of frybread (NDN) tacos, plus bison, elk, duck and salmon entrees.
For the ultimate date night, visit Mermosa PDX. This supper and brunch club is the brainchild of Desiree Noisette, the founder and owner of Mermosa Wines, a Black, woman owned wine company. The restaurant features a menu with Southern and Caribbean fusion cuisine.
With Love From PDX is a one-two punch for local gift giving. With Love curates goods from 75 local purveyors of coffee, wine, chocolates and more into a wide variety of unique gift boxes that can be sent anywhere in the country.
When you’re in Vancouver, check out Richland Hub. Inspired by founder James B Mbuya and his quest to connect his native land to the shores of his U.S. home, you’ll find a selection of African coffees, teas, cashews, and cocoa in this quaint shop.
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