Tag: Stark Street

Business Relocating, Construction, History, New Business December 5, 2020February 18, 2021

Union Rose Moving Locations on Stark

Union Rose is moving down the street to a new storefront at 8029 SE Stark Street. Currently, they are located a block east on the same side of Stark Street. The larger space will allow for more onsite manufacturing of women’s clothing and expanded gift-items available in the shop.

Owner Rita Hudson-Evalt was excited to find a new place nearby. “I love being in Montavilla,” remarked Hudson-Evalt when describing the short move. Staying in the neighborhood is essential for the business and staying on the street ensures minimal disruption for customers. Union Rose has 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 not too long after that. Hudson-Evalt was a designer, selling to the store when Prevost was looking to leave the business. “I couldn’t handle the place not being around,” explained Hudson-Evalt when describing why she bought the shop.

Six years later, the store is continuing to survive in the pandemic thanks to a loyal customer base and the online store’s success. “We are going to make it through,” Hudson-Evalt said with a tone of relief. Doubling the store’s floor space affirms the businesses’ health and positions the company to be more flexible as the economy changes and recovers.

*The rough outline of the future storefront*

The store will shut down its old location on December 28th and reopen in the new storefront around January 6th. Hudson-Evalt will bring clothing production entirely onsite, moving from the basement studio where much of the work happens today. The back portion of the new shop becomes dedicated to product creation. A curtain behind the counter will hide overly messy projects, but most times it will remain open to show customers the process.

Union Rose’s location at 7909 SE Stark Street will become available in the new year. “It was a fantastic location,” according to Hudson-Evalt. Growing out of the space was the only issue for the company. Montavilla retail space is affordable with accommodating building management. “Both landlords have been great,” said Hudson-Evalt about the process of switching locations. For instance, the new owner of 8029 SE Stark Street upgraded the front windows to new energy-efficient glass, retaining the old appearance with improved comfort.

The future home of Union Rose previously housed Tanuki and other restraints. The building’s history began in 1924. This particular space had an address of 2019 E Stark Street before the street renumbering of the 1930s. The first business listing at that address was for The Pastime pool hall. A 1926 advertisement in the Montavilla Times declares it “Where All Good Fellows Meet.”

This move is an exciting shuffle of Stark Street businesses. Carmen Ripley, the owner of Beanstalk Children’s Resale Clothing, expressed excitement about Union Rose’s future move to the storefront next to her shop. The two apparel stores should complement each other’s business with minimal overlap in offerings. The new year will bring many changes to the neighborhood, and Union Rose’s move seems to be only positive for the community.

New Business November 28, 2020

Arc Thrift Store on Stark

Arc Thrift Store is opening at 8304 SE Stark Street this December. Inside the former H&R Block location, display fixtures are ready to showcase used clothing and home goods. This location is the first thrift store for the non-profit organization.

Although the Stark Street location is their only store, it is the second Montavilla location for The Arc of Multnomah-Clackamas organization. For over ten years, they have operated a donation center on Halsey Street.

The Arc of Multnomah-Clackamas provides support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Donation of items and shopping at the new thrift store support their advocacy work and the programs they offer. People are encouraged to follow the store’s Instagram account for updates and store photos.

Community, Infrastructure November 19, 2020November 19, 2020

Police Calm Stark Street Traffic

A parked Portland Police van showed commuters on SE Stark Street their vehicle’s speed. Parked in front of Mr. Plywood, the van is near the corner of 78th Ave. The police vehicle contains equipment to capture vehicle speed and display it on a reader-board cut into the driver side rear door.

Thursday morning, vehicles slowed as they noticed the police van and the reported speed of traffic. Stark and Washington street cut through the center of Montavilla town, and vehicle speed continues to be a hazard for people trying to cross those busy streets.

It is unknown if this police effort will have lasting effects on reducing speeders along this roadway. However, the police presence indicates that speeding is a concern in the area that Portland would like to address.

Event, Services November 7, 2020

Montavilla Farmers Market Winter Schedule

This Sunday, Montavilla Farmer’s Market opens for the first day of their new winter schedule. This expanded season marks the start of year-round availability for the Market. Previous winters only offered customers four stock-up events between November and February.

Beginning on November 8th, the Market will open the second and fourth Sunday of the month. This twice-monthly schedule will run November through April, with a special Holiday Market on December 20th. The Market will be closed for the holidays on December 27th. Market hours are 10:00 AM through 2:00 PM.

The winter market is located at its regular space in Montavilla town, 7700 SE Stark Street. Moving to a year-round schedule demonstrates the successes experienced by the Farmer’s Market and offers constancy to their patrons. Winter vendors include:

4 Hearts Kombucha
503 Distilling, LLC
aMYLK
Back To Broth
Baird Family Orchards
Bliss Nut Butters
Buddha Chocolate
By George Farm
Crooked Furrow Farm
Deck Family Farm
Felton and Mary’s Artisan Foods
Fermentista
Fiddlehead Farm
Fungables
Glasrai Farm
Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels
Kiyokawa Family Orchards
La Porteña
Lil’ Starts
Mindful Mushrooms
New Deal Distillery
Nourishment
Quiche Me If You Can
Radiant Coffee Roasters
Red Bird Acres
Red Truck Homestead
Roundhouse Foods
Scratch Meats
Shoofly Vegan Bakery
Sinful Confections
Spice of Africa
Stillweather Spirits
Stone Barn Brandyworks
T Bee S Honey
Tabor Bread
Tre-Fin
Twisted Croissant
Urban Acre Homestead
Westward Whiskey Distillery
Yolkan Farm

Infrastructure October 13, 2020October 14, 2020

End to Expanded Walkway Program

The Expanded Walkway Program in Montavilla has come to an end with less than successful results. Introduced this summer, it is part of the Busy Streets program. A Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) representative confirmed the early end of the area’s walkway program.

Expanded Walkways was just one of three programs designed to aid in social distancing during COVID-19. Unlike Expanded Bus Platforms and Expanded corners, Expanded Walkways’ used nonstandard traffic control devices in some areas. In Montavilla, PBOT used narrow white arches instead of the standard vertical poles. Called wave delineators, they are developed by cycling specialty company Saris Infrastructure. Although designed for temporary use, the method chosen by PBOT to hold the delineators in place seemed to be ineffective. Many wave delineators broke or became displaced during their short time in use.

In Montavilla, the Expanded Walkway was attempted on the north side of SE Stark Street from 84th Ave to 94th Ave. Some accounts from local business owners on the street describe general confusion for drivers. Bicyclists also felt that these measures impended safe travel, particularly when delineators were knocked down or placed in the bike lane.

PBOT employee Michelle Marx wrote to a Stark Street business owner affected by the program, announcing the pilot’s completion. “PBOT used this pilot opportunity to test out an expanded walkway concept using temporary, movable delineators. Following staff observation and based on feedback we’ve heard from users, we’ve determined that the pilot has not been successful, and we will be removing the delineators and restoring the street to its former condition.”

*East of Montavilla, other dividers used with better but still confusing results.*

Although Expanded Walkways did not succeed in Montavilla, that program is testing with different delineators in other areas. Results from those Expanded Walkways and other COVID-19 street adjustments will become part of a PBOT report. “PBOT is currently evaluating all three pillars of our Safe Streets Initiative and will be releasing an evaluation report later this year.” Said Hannah Schafer, Capital Projects, Assets, and Maintenance Communications Coordinator with PBOT.

“The evaluation of the Busy Streets work will include evaluation metrics for both the expanded walkways pilots as well as the expanded street corners,” explained Schafer. The evaluation report will include recommendations on whether the temporary infrastructure should be removed or become permanent.

Experimentation is a necessary mechanism in developing effective solutions. Although Expanded Walkways did not accomplish its goals in Montavilla, it was a relatively small test and informed PBOT on challenges faced with this type of alteration. It is unknown if other the Busy Streets initiatives will meet expectations and remain in place. However, temporary Expanded Walkways in Montavilla did not work and no longer line Stark Street.

UPDATE – This story was updated with additional information from PBOT.

Event, New Business September 8, 2020

Clogs-N-More Opening Sept. 12th

Clogs-N-More will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday on September 12th. The Montavilla location is the second East Portland store for the company. It joins an established Westmoreland location and replaces the recently closed Hawthorne storefront.

Starting on the 12th, they will open from 11 AM to 4 PM. The store will be open Thursday through Sunday each week, with the possibility of adding Mondays as business increases.

Located at 7821 SE Stark Street, the Montavilla Clogs-N-More is an outlet store with many items priced at a discount. They welcome everyone to visit this weekend and view their new retail location in Montavilla town. Please wear a mask if you stop by and know that they will have occupancy limits.

Last weekend, a preview sale took place, letting people look at the space ahead of the scheduled opening.

Bar, Construction, Restaurant, Review - Opinion September 4, 2020September 19, 2020

The New Boomtown

In a scene reminiscent of the 1800s boomtown, Montavilla is lining its main streets with roughly constructed wood structures. These Parking Plazas first took the shape of roped-off areas along the street’s edge. A handful of tables were set in the place once used for parked cars, and customers were seated for an open-air experience. This experiment is an effort to offer dining in the era of COVID-19, and it has been successful during the summer months.

Customers came to their favorite bars and restraints, enjoying the novel setting along the street. Soon the ropes became fences, and then canopies appeared over some Parking Plazas. Now we see the addition of substantial structures with roofs—string lights inside zigzag along the ceiling, ready for the coming early-sunset. Montavilla businesses are preparing for a long fall and winter of outdoor dining, as the pandemic lasts longer than expected.

The weather has not yet turned cold and rainy, but we will feel the wet chill around us within two months. At that time, there will be a test on outdoor seating’s viability in the Pacific Northwest. Will people brave the cold for the social interactions we gain by going out?

2020 is the year of uncertainty, and the building along our streets is the best attempt to beat uncertainty with preparation. Hopefully, the people of modern Montavilla are as hearty as those who first created these streets two hundred years ago—joining our neighbors for a drink and meal on a cold and damp evening.

Property Lease August 25, 2020

Stark Street Storefront for Lease

3,750 square feet of storefront space is available for lease on SE Stark Street. Recently the home to CrossFit Montavilla, this property is in the heart of Montavilla town.

Located at 8040 SE Stark Street, the space has two bathrooms and dedicated parking in rear of building. The parking lot is accessible off SE Washingtons Street and has a commercial rollup door for freight delivery or drive in access.

Call (503) 807-1112 if interested in the space.

New Business August 22, 2020August 24, 2020

Harashay Opening on Stark Street

Harashay is the creation of owner Renee Greif. It is the latest evolution of her 30-year hairdressing career. Inspired by a spiritual awakening, Greif is offering a beauty experience deeper than hair and skin. Located at 7819 SE Stark Street, Harashay will provide a range of body and mind wellness services.

Greif was working at a salon in NE Portland when COVID-19 shut down that business. Already possessing an inclination to find her own space, this seemed to be ideal circumstances for branching out and creating something new. Having taken a reiki certification class recently, she imagined hair and reiki would form the core of the new location. That idea soon expanded to include many other offerings, and the scope of Harashay continues to grow.

Harashay will additionally offer stretch mediation, parties, and classes based around different instructors and communities. The recently cleared and graveled yard behind the shop will host Red Tent Gatherings and other outdoor events.

As the business grows, Greif intends to bring on more hairdressers, expanding to three hair stations. However, the immediate goal is to set the proper environment for the shop. Although “hair will be cut” at this location, said Greif, this is not a salon. It will be a place less worried about schedules and more concerned with how the customer feels about themselves. “Harashay is a place you come to relax and have fun. Where time doesn’t exist, and you do not want to look at your phone.” Said Greif.

Renee Greif at the front counter of Harashay

Beyond services, Greif intends to bring in independent makers to provide items for sale. “I want to have other people selling products here… a place to sell their wares.” Some products may also be packaged and sold under the Harashay name when the product creators don’t have an existing brand. For hair and skincare, Harashay will have some conventional brands. They will use Kevin Murphy hair products and the Dermalogica skincare line.

The official opening date is not firm but should be in a few weeks, depending on the business license’s finalization. They will have some COVID-19 restrictions to work around, but Greif is anticipating a gradual development of the business. Much of the furniture is on wheels and will move and shift as Harashay takes form.

Look for the paper to come down from the windows soon and keep an eye on their website for more information on this unique addition to Montavilla town.

Infrastructure August 20, 2020

Expanded Corners Come to 80th

Expanded corners are now present along SE 80th Ave on both Stark and Washington streets. First appearing on 76th Ave, these are part of the Busy Streets program seeking to provide more space at busy intersections.

Portland Bureau of Transportation installed these temporary sidewalk expansions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These street crossings often become crowded with pedestrians trying to cross. This extra space should allow for social distancing while waiting for cars to yield.