Category: Business Relocating

Affordable Housing Rising Above Methodist Church

Recently, the members of Montavilla United Methodist Church voted to demolish all their buildings at 232 SE 80th Avenue to create three stories of affordable housing above a new ground-level worship space that will also share resources with support organization Rahab’s Sisters. Reverend Heather Riggs explained that this site transformation will embrace the faith-based group’s efforts to provide resources it sees needed in the community while reducing its operational burden of maintaining an aging building. The project is in pre-development with a target completion date of 2030. Until the city approves permits, parishioners and users of the midcentury building will continue to gather there.

Riggs said they plan to maximize housing options on the site while respecting the neighborhood’s scale and preserving on-site parking for the gathering space. The 0.88-acre property occupies nearly a full block and is shared with only one single-family residence. The Residential Multi-Dwelling 2 zoning of the site allows up to four stories and has a three-to-one Floor Area Ratio through bonus provisions for affordable housing.

Interior of a church decorated for Christmas, featuring a large cross, Christmas trees, and festive lights.
Montavilla United Methodist Church December 2024

Riggs explained they are in a pre-development phase and working to formalize a relationship with a prospective developer who will take ownership of the property and rent back the ground floor to the congregation at a discounted rate. The agreement will target an Area Median Income (AMI) restriction for future residents of 30 to 60 percent for the anticipated 72 units of regulated affordable housing. The Methodist Church wants the property to remain affordable for at least 60 years. “We would like to be in the 30 [AMI] range because that’s what’s affordable for our local baristas and for our local restaurant workers,” said Riggs. “This is not free housing. This is housing for people who work, who cannot afford to live in the city where they work.”

The final configuration of units and income targets depends on the funding available at the time of construction. Riggs noted that affordable housing projects require specialized skill sets to fund and manage. That is why the congregation and regional Methodist leadership are planning to transfer the land to another group rather than keeping it under church control. “Honestly, one of our priorities has been to get out of the business of building management so that we can focus on ministry,” said Riggs. The older property, built between the 1940s and 1950s, takes considerable funds to maintain. The building also sits empty more often than it is occupied, attracting unwanted attention and vandalism. Church leadership feels that having people living above the worship space will make the property more active and safer for the surrounding community.

Exterior view of a brick church with a tall, green steeple, featuring a welcoming sign detailing community values of peace, prayer, and learning, surrounded by trees and grass.

Demolishing the building could seem like a loss of history, but Riggs explained it is part of the site’s tradition to adapt to changing needs. Initially, a large wooden structure painted white served as a place of worship at this site. That was torn down to make way for the larger facility that accommodated a growing congregation in the 1950s. Now the faith community sees the mission changing again. The city needs housing, and the younger members of the church started the conversation around adapting the site’s use to address both faith and service to Portland’s needs.

A committee of knowledgeable members will take on preservation work, identifying the precious items that need to become part of the new facility. “We have plans to incorporate a lot of things into the new building. We want to incorporate some of the stained glass into the new building, but we’re thinking of placing it on interior walls, lighting hallways,” said Riggs. “We would like to preserve at least one of the upside-down boat arches in our worship space, and we’d like to preserve the bell, creating a small bell tower.” The “Precious Team” will work right up to demolition, preserving everything that matters to the congregation’s history. “We will be going through that process of honoring the history of those who came before us and celebrating that history,” remarked Riggs. Part of that celebration will be the opening of a time capsule on the front of the building.

Map showing buildings and structures with numbered addresses in a grid layout, highlighting a specific area outlined in blue.
Portland Maps image showing 232 SE 80th Ave

During the demolition and construction phases, church members will share space with the Tabor Heights United Methodist Church, less than a mile away at 6161 SE Stark Street. Before work begins, the design team will hold public meetings to gather community feedback on the project’s design. Riggs wants this site to meet the faith organization’s goals of serving those most in need while still playing a positive role in the wider community. As a community advisory committee member for the nearby Oak Street Village shelter, Riggs feels it is important for working people transitioning back into stable housing to have a place to move into. The church members also know this property is central to the neighborhood and asked the developer to include a garden and green space to keep it an attractive element of Montavilla’s historic downtown.

Reverend Heather Riggs hopes to speak to the Montavilla Neighborhood Association about the project at a future meeting. When the developer is formally secured for the housing, the design phases will begin, and community members can expect to learn more and provide input. Riggs wants people to know these changes will create a safer, more secure site that remains a useful resource for Rahab’s Sisters to build on its over 20 years of community support, and for the church to add to its 100-year history.

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Where Will Montavilla Farmers Market Go?

Montavilla Farmers Market (MFM) is examining relocation options ahead of a land sale that could displace the nearly two-decade-old neighborhood icon. In October of 2024, the owners of the 0.84-acre lot at 7700 SE Stark Street informed the operators of the Sunday market that they were seeking a buyer for the combined lots. The market is allowed to use the space until the land changes ownership. The Commercial Mixed Use 2 property became publicly listed for sale a year later and currently has an asking price of $4,999,000. With a sale possible, the MFM leadership team is strategically looking for a new location and has created a user survey to guide the search team.

A vibrant outdoor market scene featuring several tents selling various goods, with people browsing and interacting. The setting is lively, with clear blue skies and trees in the background.

Montavilla’s farmers market opened in 2007 within a smaller portion of the current SE Stark Street lot, featuring 17 initial vendors. A private trust purchased the MFM property and adjoining Montavilla Animal Clinic veterinary building at 7714 SE Stark Street in April 2018. In June 2019, the trust purchased the Beets Auto Body building at 518 SE 76th Avenue. The new owners demolished the automotive repair structure in February 2020 and later added the Beets Auto Body gravel lot space to the MFM footprint.

In a social media post announcing the survey, the MFM assured visitors that they will operate on a normal schedule without a change in location as “no sale is imminent.” They continued to explain that the research to find a new location will take considerable effort and should not be done under a tight timeline. “We’re grateful for the past 19 years in our location, and want to plan carefully for what comes next. With a dedicated site search committee leading the process, vendor and community input is needed.”

A bustling farmers market with various vendor tents set up, selling goods. In the foreground, a bright yellow sign advertises the Montavilla Farmers Market, stating the hours and location.

A property sale could also displace the Portland Guitar Repair shop located on the eastern edge of the parcel in the only remaining building at the site. However, a new owner may not have immediate redevelopment plans and could extend leases. The site could host up to four stories for retail, offices, and housing. Any substantial redevelopment could take over a year to receive building permits. Beyond participating in the survey, MFM leaders ask people with connections to a large lot that satisfies their location requirements to email president@montavillamarket.org. An ideal site would fit a similar number of vendors, currently over 70, and be available on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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VOA Oregon’s 130 Year Celebration Kicks Off Montavilla Campus Fundraising

On Thursday evening, March 12th, supporters and guests of Volunteers of America Oregon gathered near the Convention Center to celebrate the family safety, substance use treatment, behavioral health, and post-criminal justice system support organization’s 130 years in the state. After hearing from VOA Oregon’s current President and CEO, Maree Wacker, and Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read about the benefits of a planned 5.67-acre campus at 8815 NE Glisan Street, attendees were asked to donate towards the facility’s construction and support the group’s other active programs.

Event banner showcasing '130 Years from Past to Possibility Community Changemakers' with a mountain and city skyline backdrop, dated March 12, 2026.
VOA Oregons’s Community Changemakers: From Past to Possibility event on March 12, 2026

Volunteers of America Oregon purchased the Montavilla-based property in 2021, which had previously served as a church. The organization’s President and CEO at the time, Kay Toran, was instrumental in selecting the NE Glisan and 90th Avenue property as a new campus and treatment center. Her quarter-century of leadership concluded when she retired in early 2025, with few updates on campus development plans during the nonprofit’s leadership transition. The new location should allow the organization to co-locate some of its programs in an East Portland site, creating new community resources and one-stop service delivery alongside centralized administrative functions.

Aerial view of a modern building complex featuring solar panels, surrounded by landscaped green areas and a parking lot with several cars.
Looking Northwest at future NE Glisan site. Rendering by Opsis Architecture provided courtesy VOA Oregon

In February 2024,area residents reviewed renderings of the proposed facility and learned about the phased buildout plans. Designers with Opsis Architecture arranged the proposed campus with external functions in buildings adjacent to NE Glisan Street and internal services in the site’s northwest half. The proposed VOA Oregon buildings will stand two stories tall along the site’s southern edge, rising to three levels as the land slopes downhill, maintaining a consistent scale along the frontage. Crews will reconstruct the existing parking lot, adding more trees and landscaping between the 92 stalls. Another cluster of lots along the property’s northern edge will provide an additional 54 on-site parking spaces. The early redevelopment will raze the 1950s-era church building and add frontage improvements along NE Glisan Street with significant work on NE 90th Avenue. Road Crews will reconstruct sections of NE 90th, adding sidewalks, street trees, and curbside parking spaces to the street’s western edge.

During the 2024 community outreach, Toran noted that the construction schedule is dependent on fundraising efforts. Since that time, VOA Oregon began using two buildings at Jessup University’s Multnomah Campus for its residential treatment for women with children. This partnership leverages surplus dormitory space at the faith-based higher education campus located at 8435 NE Glisan Street, just west of the future VOA Oregon site. Jessup University placed its 20-acre Multnomah campus on the market in 2025 and is still seeking a buyer for the entire property. Depending on which group purchases the university site and its redevelopment timeline, VOA Oregon staff may have a limited timeframe to relocate to the new property. Making this fundraising effort essential to maintaining long-term operations in the area.

A woman speaking at a podium during a community event, with a city skyline backdrop and attendees in the audience.
VOA Oregons’s President and CEO Maree Wacker speaking at the Community Changemakers: From Past to Possibility event on March 12, 2026

A successful fundraising effort should advance the timeline for work at the VOA Oregon’s NE Glisan Street Health and Family Services Campus. Maree Wacker explained to the Thursday night audience what they intended to create at their site and why people should support their efforts. “Located in Northeast Portland, our campus will become a regional hub for healing, recovery, health, and hope. It will include 100 residential treatment beds for individuals facing severe substance use disorder, co-occurring mental health conditions, and pregnant women with children. Integrated intensive outpatient services that help individuals coming from residential care and back into the community, serving over 15,000 people each year.” She went on to explain that their trained staff will offer recovery housing with outpatient services, including peer support from people who have lived experience redirecting their lives from addiction. The campus will include space for essential health care, along with support, to create mental and physical stability so program participants can succeed in finding housing, employment, and long-term success. The organization provides specific support for families, and the planned campus includes facilities for childcare, helping people stay connected to their parental role as they seek behavioral health services.

A speaker in a suit stands at a podium with a banner reading 'FROM PAST to POSSIBILITY.' The background features silhouettes of buildings and a bridge.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read speaking at the Community Changemakers: From Past to Possibility event on March 12, 2026

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read followed up with a declaration that the proposed campus was “the kind of solution Oregon deserves. It’s a model that is integrated. It’s evidence-based. It’s place-based. And that vision becomes even more transformative when we recognize the power of placing services designed to care for people and families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives, all in one place.” Read continued to highlight the nonprofit’s campus design’s efficiency and effectiveness. “It’s not about convenience, it’s about connections, reducing duplication, simplifying access, and strengthening accountability. Above all, it is centering dignity and equity, ensuring that the people we’re serving are meeting a system that is designed around them.”

In both speakers’ descriptions of the planned site development, they highlighted the value of having a single location that serves the range of needs of people interested in improving their lives. “Imagine those 100 new residential treatment beds alongside outpatient services, alongside recovery housing, alongside family support. It’s not a collection of disconnected programs, but a true continuum of care, one that welcomes people at the turnstiles of crisis and walks with them through stabilization and healing and through long-term recovery,” exclaimed Read. “This campus is not merely a collection of buildings. In this case, it is a coordinated system. It’s not coordinating programs, but coordinating people, organized and designed around people.”

Collage of images depicting diverse groups and individuals receiving counseling and support from Volunteers of America Oregon, with text highlighting their treatment options.

“We are building a future where services are integrated, where isolation is replaced with connection, and where people now needing recovery encounter support instead of obstacles,” said Wacker. “This campus is more than buildings. It declares loudly and clearly, you belong here. No matter your past, hope lives here. A place that restores your dignity and gives you a chance to leave behind who you’ve been and finally become that person you always knew you could be.”

The VOA Oregon’s Health and Family Services Campus at 8815 NE Glisan Street is likely years away from opening. The nonprofit will continue seeking financial support for the multi-phase buildout. As of yet, there are no active demolition or construction permit applications listed for the property. However, remarks at this week’s fundraising event show the group is intent on continuing the work started under Kay Toran’s leadership and setting up roots in the Montavilla Neighborhood.

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Disclosure: The author of this article received a complimentary meal at the Community Changemakers: From Past to Possibility event on March 12, 2026.


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Cascade Physical Therapy New Owners Reunify Locations

Cascade Physical Therapy recently repurchased its former Montavilla location at 9310 SE Stark Street, an establishment that the previous owners split off from their Gresham-based company two decades ago. New owners, Dr. Liz Reynolds and Erika Elliott, are now working to reunify the two locations and serve more people who need help recovering from workplace or automotive injuries, while also addressing general pain and age-related decline.

Jon Schnepel founded Cascade Physical Therapy in 1987 after graduating from Pacific University’s Physical Therapy program and a stint working for a large hospital system. Partnering with his wife, Chris, who worked at Cascade Athletic Club in Gresham, they created a physical therapy clinic inside the gym. At the time, this integrated clinic model was unique in the industry. The distinct but embedded business started within a small space on the upper floor of the gym building. It kept expanding, adding more clients, until it ultimately moved downstairs, where they converted space previously used for a couple of racquetball courts into a full-size clinic that Cascade Physical Therapy Gresham still operates today.

Interior of a gym featuring various fitness equipment including a treadmill, stationary bike, and elliptical machine, along with windows and a television.
Fitness equipment used in physical therapy

When the athletics club expanded into Montavilla on SE Stark Street, Cascade Physical Therapy opened its second location attached to that new space. Elliott’s mother was the office manager of that location, and Erika Elliott worked there starting at age 16, managing medical records and later providing transcription services while attending college. “I would come here at night and type all of their reports,” recalled Elliott. The Schnepels sold both locations in the mid 1990s with the intention of retiring. “HealthSouth was a nationwide company that came through and bought up a bunch of little mom and pop shops in the area,” explained Elliott. However, the national healthcare clinic operator ran into financial difficulties within a few years of acquiring the physical therapy company and closed both gym-adjacent locations as part of the HealthSouth bankruptcy. The owners of Cascade Athletic Clubs offered the vacated spaces to the Schnepels, who returned to the business and reopened Cascade Physical Therapy.

Two women standing together in front of a green plant and wall decor, smiling at the camera.
Dr. Liz Reynolds and Erika Elliott

To stay focused on a single space, the Schnepels sold the Montavilla location to their employee, Julie McAllister, in December 2002, while rebuilding the Gresham business. “She came back here, and it was gutted; there was nothing here. So she furnished it, equipped it, hired staff, and has been here ever since,” said Elliott. McAllister’s business operated under the name “Cascade 205 Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy,” with a name less tied to the original business.  In February 2023, the Cascade Athletic Clubs closed its Montavilla location at 9260 SE Stark Street after nearly 36 years in operation. McAllister needed to adapt the location, which would not have extended gym or pool access for clients. Fortunately, DolFun Swim Academy took over the former Cascade Athletic Clubs swimming facilities and made arrangements to allow physical therapy clients access to the pool. “When Cascade [gym] left, they drained the pool, and there were no plans for it to be a pool again. So when DolFun came and negotiated to take over the lease, the McAllisters were really excited because it meant that they could offer pool therapy again, which is a big need in our community. Not a lot of physical therapy offices offer pool therapy,” explained Elliott.

A small treatment room featuring a wooden shelf with towels, a lamp, tissue box, and a toy ball. A dark-colored stool and treatment table with a white pillow are also visible. A mountain and tree silhouette decorates the wall.
One of three private treatment rooms

After several more years of success in Gresham, the Schnepels looked to pass the business along again, this time to trusted employees who had worked for them for 10 to 15 years. “So they looked at us for a succession plan, started those negotiations in the fall of 2018, and we became the official owners January 1st of 2020,” recalled Reynolds and Elliott. They completed a relatively smooth transition of the business, with the former employees continuing the founders’ work. Then, in the fall of 2024, McAllister contacted the partners about buying the SE Stark Street company and reunifying the two locations. “Julie approached us, asking us if we’d be interested in taking over for her. She felt a call to not just close after being here and treating patients since the 1990s,” recalled Elliott. When Julie McAllister retired at the end of June 2025, the location rejoined Cascade Physical Therapy under its name and business license.

A calm treatment room featuring a massage table, a black chair, and a wall-mounted framed picture of a mountain landscape.
One of three private treatment rooms

The new owners of the Montavilla location were able to extend their existing business into the space while retaining some continuity for clients. “Some of her patients have just carried over, and we kept an employee of hers on board. His name’s Greg, and he’s a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) here, and he’s wonderful. That’s been nice because patients who don’t maybe know Erika and I know his face, and we’re keeping the legacy going,” said Reynolds. They have updated the paint scheme in the space to match the company colors and are working to update some equipment offerings. “We are one of the first locations to trial a new AI exercise program that was developed by Intel and a local physical therapist,” remarked Elliott. “We, as therapists, would program in exercises, and the patient would wheel the machine in front of them. Then it would get a visual of their body while they’re doing the exercise and critique them,” added Reynolds. They explained that it is a tool that appeals to some customers who want their movement reviewed but do not want someone staring at them the whole time. They are still working to integrate this newer technology into treatments, but they are excited to expand the tools they can offer people seeking help.

Interior view of a waiting area featuring black chairs aligned along the window, a reception desk at the end, and decorative wall art.

The Cascade Physical Therapy team is genuinely excited to expand back into Portland, though they acknowledge that running two locations is twice the work. They anticipate more people will seek out their services and want people to know that in Oregon and Washington, patients can visit a physical therapist without a referral if their insurance allows it. Reynolds is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and can work with many insurers. They can work with patients aged 9 or older. In addition to treating injuries or helping with sports training, many people see them for balance issues. Another group of people seeking help has no idea what happened. “Some people have pain, and they don’t know why they hurt,” said Elliott. “We call them the NARs. No apparent reason. Usually, I can figure out why, but they don’t know. It wasn’t like they got hit on a bicycle or anything like that. They just started having hip pain,” explained Reynolds.

A well-equipped gym interior featuring a multi-gym machine, exercise balls, resistance bands, and various workout equipment, with a mirrored wall reflecting the setup.
Fitness equipment used in physical therapy

The Montavilla location is open from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. People needing help on a different weekday can also visit the Gresham location at 19201 SE Division Street. The original space has access to more equipment through the Cascade Athletic Club, which is still in operation outside Portland. However, the SE Stark Street space has nearly everything they need to restore motion or alleviate pain for patients and offers three private treatment rooms, as well as access to pool therapy. The owners hope to meet more people in the area seeking Portland-based physical therapy and expect that visitors living near Interstate 205 will appreciate the location’s easy freeway access.


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Three 82nd Ave Car Lots Empty at the End of 2025

Three Montavilla car lots sit empty along 82nd Avenue at the end of 2025, marking a shift in an area known as Portland’s used car destination for budget-conscious buyers. It is not uncommon for locations to change tenants and for lots to relocate within the area. However, some auto industry businesses blame City-led changes to infrastructure and potential tax increases for adding to their operating pressures.

An empty car sales lot with a 'For Rent' sign prominently displayed, located at the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue and SE Stark Street in Portland, with a partially fenced area and flags overhead.
Empty Hood To Coast Auto Sales lot at 428 SE 82nd Ave

Hood To Coast Auto Sales relocated to 428 SE 82nd Avenue in 2021, having outgrown a location near NE Sandy Boulevard and NE 138th Avenue. From the prominent SE Stark Street corner, owners Lindsey Barber and Matt Barber ran the used-car lot for four years until staff recently cleared out the inventory in November. By mid December, the lot was empty, and the property’s owner, Harry John, placed a “for rent” sign on the sales lot’s fence.

Front view of the vacant 82nd Auto Mall car lot along 82nd Avenue, featuring a 'For Sale or Lease' sign and colorful streamers overhead.
Empty 82nd Auto Mall lot at 1164 SE 82nd Ave

82nd Auto Mall recently closed its 1164 SE 82nd Avenue location this year, as the property’s owner seeks to sell the three-quarter-acre site that once housed a Triple XXX Drive-In. Previously, the used auto sales lot bounced around the area with a stint at 1205 SE 82nd Avenue from 2003 to 2009. It served customers from 707 SE 82nd Avenue in 2010 and 2011, then moved back to 1205 SE 82nd Avenue in 2013, before setting up in its last location around 2021.

An empty car lot with a prominently displayed '707' on the front, featuring a large glass façade and red roof, indicative of a closed automotive business.
Empty sales lot at 707 SE 82nd Ave last used as an expansion lot by Atlas Motors

Atlas Motors expanded from its 605 SE 82nd Avenue location to the adjacent vehicle sales lot at 707 SE 82nd Avenue around 2012. Royal Motors and 82nd Auto Mall previously worked from the space. This fall, Atlas Motors consolidated its inventory to its original lot and vacated the expansion space. Sales Manager at Atlas Motors, Madjid Okhovat, explained that it is not a lack of vehicles impacting these changes. From his perspective, it is interference by local and state governments.

Vacant car lot at the corner of SE 82nd Avenue and SE Alder Street in Portland, Oregon, featuring a building with large windows and a prominent '707' sign.
Empty sales lot at 707 SE 82nd Ave last used as an expansion lot by Atlas Motors

Nationally, automotive sales are declining in some segments. On December 16th, the U.S. Census Bureau released data on national retail and food sales for October, showing a 1.6% drop in motor vehicle and auto parts sales. However, that data focuses on the new- and late-model used-vehicle market. Cars on 82nd Avenue primarily fall into the below $15,000 segment, which is less volatile. Okhovat said that customers he sees shopping for a car on 82nd Avenue are budget-conscious. “Most people shopping on 82nd Avenue are working-class people with blue-collar jobs who need dependable cars to get to work, spending $7,000 to $10,000… Now people are also having trouble making that fit into their budget.” He noted that the average age of vehicles on the road is creeping to 13 years old, as people avoid the cost of an upgrade. At the same time, new vehicle prices approach $50,000, and late-model used cars still sell for substantially more than the average 82nd Avenue price, driving commuters to 82nd Avenue for affordable options.

Map showing the locations of Atlas Motors and Hood To Coast Auto Sales along SE 82nd Avenue, indicating street names and adjacent areas.
Sept 2025 Draft 82nd Avenue Transit and Safety Improvements with MV News labels

Okhovat noted that not all car sales lots along the former State Highway are reputable, and some bad behavior toward customers has given 82nd Avenue a lower reputation. He says Atlas Motors will repeatedly encounter customers who bought a vehicle with significant issues from another lot and found the seller is no longer in business or unwilling to help. A recent Reddit conversation echoed that perception, with several commenters stating that Atlas had treated them well in comparison.

A view of 82nd Avenue showing newly installed center-lane raised medians with yellow curbs and safety cones, alongside empty car lots and parked vehicles.
Recently installed center-lane raised medians in front of Atlas Motors at SE Washington St looking south

When asked about the conspicuously vacant lots surrounding his workplace, Madjid Okhovat said he felt it was due to pressures from local officials. He explained that new center-lane raised medians were recently installed by the City in front of Atlas Motors, and that the former Hood to Coast lots block left turns into their property. He also noted that proposed plans for 82nd Avenue Transit and Safety Improvements will extend those medians south to similarly block 707 SE 82nd Avenue and the former 82nd Auto Mall lots. He feels that those changes, along with the possibility that Portland could convert the outer travel lanes on 82nd Avenue into Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes, weaken the future prosperity of a used-car business in the area. Selling used vehicles in the lower price range has many risks, and Okhovat said that current and pending fees impacting the automotive industry are making it tough for buyers with limited funds. Consequently, he thinks, used vehicle sellers are anticipating a challenging marketplace and can no longer operate at the same level they have been.

Map showing the location of 82nd Auto Mall on 82nd Avenue in Portland, with adjacent streets labeled.
Sept 2025 Draft 82nd Avenue Transit and Safety Improvements with MV News labels

These current car lot vacancies may be a coincidence of timing in the business cycle of used car sales on 82nd Avenue. However, operators willing to discuss their experiences along 82nd Avenue are not optimistic about the future prosperity of automotive-oriented businesses on the avenue. Atlas Motors has a long history in the area that they intend to build on, and it is possible that vacant lots will fill with another similar business, but at the moment, the empty spaces have attracted the attention of the community as a visible signal of change.


Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Sadie Vet Expanding into Former Union Rose Storefront

Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care at 8037 SE Stark Street will expand into the adjacent storefront that most recently hosted Union Rose before it relocated to the Plural Collective in Sellwood. Pending building permit approval, renovation work on the neighboring space will begin in the first half of 2026, with an anticipated completion in the summer. The frequently busy care center for cats and dogs will remain open during renovations, with minor disruptions as staff reorganize the facility to make better use of the significantly larger space.

Reception area of Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care featuring a modern design with a wooden desk and decorative plants.
Front desk and entrance to hallway that will extend into the new space

Sadie Veterinary co-owner Dr. Cindy Galbreath explained that this expansion was needed almost from the time the clinic opened in November 2022. “Honestly, we were busy from day one. We’ve had a consistent caseload over the last three years, serving about 25 to 30 patients per day between two doctors.” The team was already maxed out on reasonable operating hours, with little room to expand them for greater capacity during the times patients needed them most. As an urgent care facility, they do not schedule visits weeks in advance except for follow-up treatments. They are open every day of the week except Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with pet owners calling to schedule a visit for the day or have staff place them on a wait list.

Colorful abstract mural on a wall at Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care, featuring bold shapes and a leafy plant in the foreground.
Signature Sadie Veterinary mural by Alex Proba in waiting room

With a predictably full wait list, the three owners of Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care jumped at the chance to expand into the neighboring 1,400-square-foot space at 8029 SE Stark Street. They currently work within a 2,400-square-foot space that includes four exam rooms, the reception desk and waiting room, treatment area, onsite lab, x-ray room, short-stay kennel, and other administrative and staff-only spaces. The expansion will focus on adding exam rooms, doubling the available space for patient visits by building five rooms and a second shared hand-washing station. Towards the end of the renovation, they will have a small amount of demolition at the front of the building. “Our lobby is very small. Part of our expansion will be taking out exam room one and expanding our lobby so that we can have more people comfortably up here,” said Galbreath.

Exterior view of Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care with adjacent storefront, featuring signage and surrounding street details.
Image showing empty Union Rose storefront with adjacent Sadie Veterinary location on SE Stark St

People and animals will continue to use the current corner entrance, even though the expanded footprint includes another sidewalk-accessible doorway. Galbreath explained that a second entrance would require an additional reception desk and disrupt operational flow. “We’re going to snake this hallway around the back of the building, and we’ll have essentially a giant U hallway that will be accessible to clients,” explained Galbreath. “All of our exam rooms will be off that U-shaped hallway.” The central connector will need to curve past one of their two existing restrooms in the back, and the architectural design incorporates adding an existing restroom on the other side of the dividing wall for the expansion, giving them three total. The work will require moving the water heater, along with other significant alterations to the space. However, the renovation design will minimize impact to essential operations and shift the office flow around the now central treatment and surgical rooms. This approach will improve the working environment for the 20 to 25 staff who constantly need to shuffle animals and their owners throughout the facility for treatment.

Interior view of a veterinary clinic featuring a reception area with a countertop, computer stations, and examination rooms in the background.
Treatment room

The new leased space came with one extra vehicle stall in the lot behind the building, and expanded parking capacity for the animal urgent care to six spaces. When completed, they anticipate adding more doctors beyond the six veterinarians already employed to increase their daily capacity. Galbreath, along with her partners Dr. Jenica Wycoff and Dr. Malia Goodell, considered options to expand the business but has remained committed to the historic Montavilla downtown. “We really love being a part of Montavilla. We’re sad to see Union Rose go, but we really like this location and this building,” said Galbreath. “We feel really fortunate to have landed in this space originally.” She noted they could have opened a second location or relocated to a larger space, but felt expansion was the best option. “I think the location works really well for our clients. This is an accessible area, and we serve a lot of people in Montavilla as well. Additionally, we have good relationships with the primary care vets in this area, with a lot of referrals from the local veterinarians,” explained Galbreath.

Interior of Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care showing a medical workstation with a sink and storage cabinets, alongside a row of pet kennels.
Short stay kennel space

Construction timelines for the expansion are far from firm, but they anticipate six months for building permit approval and another two or three months for construction. That should put them at the back half of the warmer months, which is a critical time for their work. “Summer is our busiest time. Across the board in veterinary medicine, it tends to be,” said Galbreath. “I think in part because animals are more active, the weather is better, people are out and about with their pets, who are more susceptible to traumatic injuries.” She noted that people are also more observant of their animals during that time. “People are home with their pets more in the summer, and when people are home, looking at their pets, they’re more prone to discover issues.” However, if the building timelines take longer than hoped, Galbreath says they will appreciate its completion at any time. “We have other times of the year that are busy, and we generally tend to just stay pretty consistently busy throughout the year.”

Interior view of a veterinary exam room featuring a purple wall, a wooden cabinet with drawers, a countertop with medical supplies, and a black rolling stool.
One of the four existing exam rooms

Sadie Veterinary’s owners hope people will bear with them during construction. Galbreath explained they anticipate the improvements will ultimately provide a better care experience. “We’ll all feel better not feeling like we have to rush people out of exam rooms. I feel like we outgrew this space within our first few months of operation.” With more rooms, the care team can minimize juggling patients in and out of rooms, resulting in a lower-stress visit. Additionally, they can serve more pets quickly and say yes to urgent requests. “We all want to be able to say yes to these cases, to these sick animals,” said Galbreath. “Being able to tell people yes instead of putting them on a wait list. I think it’s gonna feel really good for everyone.”

Three framed photos of dogs displayed on a wall, showcasing their happy expressions.
Sadie Veterinary owners’ departed dogs with namesake in the center

Update December 9, 2025: Added muralist name Alex Proba to photo


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La Osita Relocates to Montavilla’s Historic Taylor Court Grocery Building

On October 18th, La Osita restaurant completed its first week in a new location after transitioning from a renowned food cart on SE 122nd Avenue to the remodeled restaurant space in the historic Taylor Court Grocery building at 1135 SE 80th Avenue. The breakfast and lunch spot offers dishes influenced by the owner’s Mexican American roots, featuring options for most diners, including several vegan items. Elizabeth Guerrero had initially planned to open her restaurant in the newly purchased building in October 2022. However, she soon discovered that the 100-year-old storefront, nestled in a residential area, would require years of work to transform into the restaurant space she envisioned. The long process of remodeling and relocating required the support of family, staff, and the partnership of co-owner David Doyle. For the staff, the effort was well worth the wait as regulars and Montavilla residents showed up in large numbers to enjoy the breakfast and lunch menu Tuesday through Saturday.

Exterior view of the Taylor Court Grocery building, featuring a blue facade, teal awning, and wooden bench in front.

La Osita PDX opened as a small food cart in January of 2018 after Guerrero and Doyle noticed a lack of good breakfast locations near their home in East Portland. The partners bought their first cart from a friend and found space on 122nd in the parking lot of the Plaza 122 building. With a shared food service background and recipes inspired by Elizabeth Guerrero’s heritage, the owners brought coffee and breakfast service to an underserved area. “The original plan when we first opened the cart was just breakfast, but then people asked, ‘Why aren’t you opening for lunch?’ And I thought Why don’t we open for lunch? So we did lunch,” recalled Guerrero. After an Oregonian article widened La Osita’s exposure, they experienced a wave of new customers and eventually expanded to a bigger cart. Still, business increases, and they brought in more help, with staff peaking at five people on some days. Moving to a restaurant location was an obvious next move for the family-run business. “We were crammed like sardines,” recalled Guerrero.

Interior view of La Osita restaurant showcasing a bar seating area with black stools and a long countertop, with large windows offering a view of the street and neighborhood outside.

Searching for a suitable small brick-and-mortar location near the cart proved challenging for Guerrero and Doyle. An expanded search led to the Taylor Court Grocery, where they instantly saw the potential in the 100-year-old retail space. The buildout took much longer than anticipated. “It had just so much work we had to put into it. There were three layers of flooring tile, and the same with the roof; it was a huge project, and honestly, we didn’t know it was going to be that time-consuming and so much money,” said Guerrero. The owners rented out the house that shares the lot with the retail space to generate revenue temporarily, but they needed loans to bridge the gap. “We used a Prosper Portland loan, a QuickBooks loan. We did a Square loan, and once that was out, we applied again for QuickBooks. Once that was out, we shuffled debt around,’ explained Guerrero. The team almost gave up hope. “I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted to quit, but I remember somebody said, ‘whenever you think you should give up, that’s the time when you shouldn’t give up.’ I always remember that, and it was all worth it because we’re here now,” remarked Guerrero.

Interior of La Osita restaurant featuring a large wooden table surrounded by metal and wooden chairs, with large windows allowing natural light, and a black accent wall with decorative lighting.
La Osita’s indoor seating for 28 customers

Although three miles from the original cart location, they hoped customers would follow them to SE 80th Avenue, and Guerrero reports they have not been disappointed. “They’ve been very supportive and very happy for us. I was worried that it was going to be a slow incline of business, but it’s been pretty good.” October marks the beginning of the slow winter season for food carts; however, the restaurant’s first week in Montavilla saw summer-level sales. They hired an additional person to work at the location, and Guerrero hopes her daughter will join her at the restaurant on Saturdays before going to college in a year. It is important to her because family participation is already core to this space, with Elizabeth Guerrero’s sister, niece, and brother working there, and because her child was the inspiration for the business name. “The whole reason this is called La Osita is because my daughter,” explained Guerrero. Guerrero and Doyle would playfully add “bear” to the end of her name when she was younger, and Osita means little bear.

A woman working behind the counter of a café, focused on a touchscreen while a large metallic container sits nearby. Shelves in the background hold various kitchen supplies.
Owner Elizabeth Guerrero behind the counter

Elizabeth Guerrero knows she has years of work ahead to pay off the loans and build the business in the Montavilla community. The business owners are selling their old cart because they can not run two locations, and it will help pay down what they borrowed to build the brick-and-mortar location. However, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her staff who worked in cramped conditions and stayed by her side throughout the years of delays. She is especially appreciative of her sister Maria Guerrero, who has remained part of La Osita since the beginning. She is also thankful for all the customers who supported her dream and the people who helped fundraise for the buildout. Now, she is looking to the future with only minor additions to the menu planned as the team becomes accustomed to the bigger space.

Several of the summer-only drinks, like agua fresca, will return to the menu more frequently, with select new food items planned. I wanted to add Chilaquiles, which is a very popular breakfast item in Mexico, but I don’t want to expand too much because that does make it harder on my cook. I want to add chicken, and I do want to add Mexican bread like conchas,” explained Guerrero. “I can envision somebody buying their concha and their brunch taco and their coffee. That’s the perfect breakfast in my eyes.”

A menu from La Osita restaurant featuring various Mexican-American dishes, including breakfast and lunch options, vegan choices, and add-ons, displayed on a wooden table.
La Osita’s restaurant menu October 2025

People interested in visiting the shop for dine-in counter service or takeout can stop by from 7:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The menu features the popular Brunch Taco with melted pepper jack cheese on a crispy corn tortilla, topped with applewood bacon, fried egg, pickled onion, pico de gallo, bell pepper, and salsa. They offer several burrito variations with chorizo, carne asada beef, or steak. Some include eggs to fit in with the breakfast and brunch theme. The meatless options include Vegan burritos, tacos, and bowls. For drinks, they serve French press coffee or espresso-based items with an optional Mexican flavor palate. They offer freshly made green smoothies and a Cocoa banana almond chia smoothie, alongside other canned or bottled beverages.

Menu for La Osita restaurant featuring various coffee drinks, smoothies, and beverages, displayed on a wooden table.
La Osita’s restaurant drink menu October 2025

When the weather turns warmer next year, Elizabeth Guerrero expects to have outdoor seating. People will eventually see the blue “Tabor Ct. Grocery” sign updated with the La Osita name. Still, the building’s new owners are working with a neighborhood caretaker to preserve the original surviving sign panel showing the location’s historic name. The spot is outside the traditional commercial corridor, a short walk from SE Stark Street and 82nd Avenue. They will depend on word of mouth for people to find them, but Guerrero said that has always worked for them in the past. She hopes people will help spread the word that they have finally moved in and are ready to greet their guests.


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Union Rose Relocating and Resizing

Apparel maker and retail store Union Rose will close its Montavilla location at 8029 SE Stark Street in late October after it completes its move to the Plural Collective in Sellwood. Store owner and clothing designer Rita Hudson-Evalt is making this move to reduce operational costs and free up more time for creative work in her craft as well as pursue other diversified work opportunities. The brand remains committed to creating the same locally produced soft goods in the size ranges shoppers appreciate while experimenting with more small-batch designs.

The Plural Collective at 8012 SE 13th Avenue hosts several businesses that provide a range of products from local makers. Collaborating brand owners and retailers, soon to include Hudson-Evalt, share responsibility for operating the store during its daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours. Union Rose products will have a dedicated space within the store, but brands can intermix throughout the shop as merchandising opportunities benefit from cross-promotion. This collaborative shop design reduces the operational burdens and payroll impacts while maintaining much of the direct-to-consumer sales strategy that makes locally produced products possible.

Hudson-Evalt explained that this change in business model was needed to keep her working in the industry. Union Rose moved into its current storefront in January 2021 after years in a smaller shop a block west, where Wink Vintage now sells vintage items. The larger retail space allowed the company to consolidate much of the production and sales into a single space. Union Rose had been in its current location since before Hudson-Evalt bought the store in 2014. The original owner, Nicole Prevost, opened the store on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in 2007 and moved to Montavilla shortly thereafter. Hudson-Evalt was a designer who sold clothing to the store when Prevost was looking to leave the business and could not imagine it closing. With that same appreciation for Union Rose and the loyal customers who have supported the store, Hudson-Evalt felt it necessary to reimagine the shop and clothing brand as a sustainable company so it can continue to be there for the community.

Exterior view of Union Rose retail store displaying clothing in the windows, with a sign that reads 'BLACK LIVES MATTER.'
Union Rose’s location opening week January 2021

Rita Hudson-Evalt explained that clothing production will revert to its previous location. “I’m going to move that back to my house, where it was before, when we were in the smaller location where Wink Vintage is now. In some ways that’ll be nice and in some ways that’ll be a pain.” The end of the lease at the shop partially influenced this change. When weighing the choice to re-sign with the landlord, Hudson-Evalt felt there was enough uncertainty in the retail market and wanted to make the company lean enough to continue. “Whether you’re directly importing goods or not, you are definitely being affected by the tariffs. I think we’re going to see a huge spike in costs, especially around the holidays,” said Hudson-Evalt. With that concern in mind, and other changes in her life, this was the right time to refocus on apparel design and less on the daily responsibility of running a retail location.

As the SE Stark Street store winds down, most items at the shop have a 20% discount, including online purchases. The discounts will increase closer to the closing date, including the ability to buy fixtures and other items not making the move to the Sellwood location. Hudson-Evalt expects to bring some product lines from different businesses currently in the shop to the new location. However, the new storefront has an existing diverse assortment of products. “Because the collective has so many people there already that have their own categories. There’s a jewelry maker, Stacy [Vickery’s] Modern Madini. There are many artists. There’s a ceramics person. I couldn’t really bring a lot of people over with me. So I’ll have to be focusing on apparel and those kinds of soft goods,” explained Hudson-Evalt. She hopes people will see the moving sale as a good opportunity to support a longtime Montavilla business and get ahead of the holiday shopping season.

A sale schedule for Union Rose showing three discount events: 20% off on September 5, 40% off on September 26, and 60% off on October 10, featuring store details and emphasizes that all sales are final.
Sale graphic courtesy Union Rose

Hudson-Evalt is excited for the change and what that can do for her creative work. “Of course I have ideas, lots of ideas, and no time to make any of that happen right now, so I’m really hoping that this change will give me the time that I can do that experimentation and risk making mistakes. Whereas right now, I’m having to fill a whole store all the time, so there’s just not a lot of time.” Although the change benefits the business’s health and the owner’s well-being, it was not made without appreciation for what the old location meant to Hudson-Evalt. “I’ve managed to raise my two kiddos and support my family over the past 11 years because of Union Rose and because of the neighborhood.”

People can continue to shop at the Montavilla Union Rose location and online until October, or until they sell out of goods. The Plural Collective space will open with mostly new inventory, and online shopping will cease for some time after the old location closes. The website will remain an informational resource for Union Rose and may return to e-commerce at a future date. For now, the moving sale is the best way for local customers to buy from Union Rose, and shoppers can plan a trip out to the 8012 SE 13th Avenue location later this year to see the new Union Rose alongside other locally designed goods.


Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Bikini Coffee Stand Relocates to Adult Store Parking Lot

Dollhouse Espresso recently reopened its Bikini Coffee stand in the Taboo Video parking lot at 2330 SE 82nd Avenue. Earlier this year, the coffee cart vacated its previous location at 1133 SE 82nd Avenue to find a more supportive host business and is now featuring an expanded shop with a new menu in the parking lot of the adult entertainment store. Montavilla News spoke to owner Jessica Cody in April 2024 about her latest venture, and the following is an updated version of that article.

Jessica Cody purchased the original Dollhouse Espresso cart with donations from supporters who were interested in seeing a woman-owned stand that would create a safe space for the people working there. Although barista attire is a theme of the cart, Cody and her staff strive to deliver well-made coffee, tasty food, and friendly service to all customers.

Pink coffee cart named Dollhouse Espresso located in a parking lot, featuring a menu display in the window and a portable restroom nearby.
Dollhouse Espresso’s original cart in 2024

Cody has worked as a dancer and bartender for several years. She continues to do that work to help support the growing business, sometimes working from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. the next day. However, it was her work abroad that sparked a genuine passion for coffee service. “I used to live in Australia before the pandemic on a working visa. I lived there for about two years, and I managed a really great coffee shop in Perth. That’s where I learned how to make good, authentic coffee,” Cody recalled.

Bikini coffee has a varied history in the Pacific Northwest, and Jessica Cody was an early employee in that industry before moving to Australia. Through that tumultuous experience, she developed her idea for a respectful woman-run business. “I had a very bad experience working at a bikini coffee stand when I first did it years ago. It was called Dream Girls,” recalled Cody. The former owner of Dream Girls now faces charges of sexual abuse and rape, along with other crimes reportedly committed against some of his employees. Cody felt that Dollhouse Espresso presented an opportunity to return to bikini coffee work while creating a safe space for this type of service. Many of the people working there are her friends, and she operates the stand in a similar manner to an employee-run shop.

A small, pink and white coffee stand named Dollhouse Espresso located in the parking lot of Taboo Video, with a clear blue sky above.
Dollhouse Espresso’s new larger cart at its current location

Part of Cody’s vision for Dollhouse Espresso is to make people feel respected inside and outside the cart. “I feel like we are friendly and welcoming enough for everybody, any part of the community. I try to hire women of all different shapes, sizes, and colors,” said Cody. The organization is LGBTQ-friendly, and Cody says families come through often. “I try to make it exciting for everybody,” explained Cody.

The path to opening this new business has not been without issues and false starts. Dollhouse Espresso opened previously in Vancouver, Washington, operating for just three months. Cody said the landlord raised the rent on her with little notice and caused property damage when she did not pay the increase. In 2024, she had to relocate and regroup. Having lived in Montavilla during her youth and worked in some nearby businesses, SE 82nd felt like the ideal spot for the stand’s long-term home. “The demographics seem great for what I’m trying to do here, especially for girls being in bikinis,” said Cody.

Exterior view of Dollhouse Espresso coffee stand, featuring a pink and white color scheme, with a logo on the roof and a nearby fence and trees.

The shop is currently open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., but Cody expects to extend the hours soon. She placed the stand near Taboo Video’s north parking lot entrance, close to the building. Walk-ups and bicyclists are welcome to visit the window adjacent to the sidewalk, but people outside a vehicle should use caution, as it serves drive-up customers.

NightOwl Custom Apparel Relocates to NE Glisan

NightOwl Custom Apparel recently relocated its screen printing and embroidery business to 7114 NE Glisan Street and launched its first customer-facing storefront. Partners Shelly Hill and Paul Hill ran this business for 15 years as a home-based operation, creating wearable promotional items and custom apparel for local groups. Portlanders have likely seen their work worn by 82nd Avenue parade volunteers and community athletes. NightOwl’s owners expanded onto NE Glisan to better connect with their community of supportive customers and to find more people looking for unique apparel made quickly in Portland.

Inside NightOwl Custom Apparel store, displaying a variety of colorful t-shirts on hangers with artwork on the walls.

NightOwl started as a growing Hill family changed their priorities. “My partner’s been in the [printing] industry for over 35 years, and it’s part of my daily life for over 30. When we had our son, we decided it was time to be done working for someone else who just had the money but not the knowledge. So we started our own business to be able to put family first,” recalled Shelly Hill. She explained that their business has remained consistent in many ways over the last decade and a half, printing by hand with a personal touch. However, the source artwork has evolved, requiring more pre-printing support to translate it onto clothing. “With AI, we’re seeing a lot of artwork that can’t be used, but it looks fantastic on a computer screen. We’ll work with them to get the image they want that works on the particular piece of apparel they’re putting it on. Because what looks great on a business card doesn’t work on a hat,” said Hill.

A screen printing machine with multiple screens set up in a workshop, surrounded by printing supplies and equipment.
Screen print t-shirt carousel

Shelly Hill was raised in a southern Illinois union household and supports people making a living wage wherever they work. That perspective guides the products they produce for clients. “We try to get U.S. made, but we have to be competitive. So we work through a local U.S. company that has their own [supply channel], generally in Honduras. They pay all their employees [fairly] wherever they are, and they take care of them,” explained Hill. She is also adamant that printing services remain in-house with a few exceptions. “As a general rule, when you’re in control of the production, you’re in control of the quality,” remarked Hill. People can work with them to create custom tablecloths, banners, signage, patches, travel mugs, and nearly any promotional items. They can also help with stickers through a local partner.

A blue car parked in front of the NightOwl Custom Apparel store, showcasing colorful clothing displayed in the windows and a vibrant balloon arrangement nearby.

Most longtime clients value their quick turnaround time and focus on supporting local groups. “We work with Columbia Christian [School]. They called on Monday with a soccer camp starting on Wednesday, and we got the shirts done. We tell people it takes 10 to 12 business days, but we almost never take that long, and we understand small businesses don’t need 200 t-shirts at once. We’d love it if people would order at least 24 because it takes time and materials to set up. However, we did one shirt for someone kicking off their business just this week that needed something,” recalled Hill. “We try to support our community every way we can. We make Street Roots stuff at cost. We don’t charge them, and we don’t charge Columbia Slough.”

A display of various shirts on hangers in a storefront, showcasing different colors and styles, next to a wooden product with decorative stripes and a colorful painting on the wall.

NightOwl Custom Apparel held its grand opening on April 27th after working from the space during the build-out process. They are excited to meet new customers and anyone looking for gift items at their shop. People can visit the storefront from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or call/text them at (815) 848-2216. For examples of their work, visit the company’s Instagram page, showroom, or the Hinterland Coffee & Clothing shop next door, which uses them for many of its apparel products.