By now, it’s no secret that Portland is home to freshly roasted coffee and hoppin’ craft beers, not to mention an epic food scene and an eco-minded, design-savvy ethos. You’ll also find a bevy of leafy parks and hiking trails around town. But that’s not all: The Rose City also offers tax-free shopping.
What’s more, the state of Oregon has zero sales tax on retail purchases –-meaning some cash immediately goes right back into your wallet. (Which helps with those big-ticket holiday items too!)
Plan your holiday shopping around a trip to Portland, Oregon. (Photo Credit: @hotelvintagepdx)
Oregon is one of the few states that offers tax-free shopping. (Photo Credit: Sean Oulashin)
This fall and into the holiday season, stock up at Portland’s indie boutiques by day – and come evening, drop your bags at one of our two hotels: Kimpton Riverplace and Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland. Below, we’ve curated a few of our favorite indie spots for tax-free PDX holiday shopping (don’t worry, there’s something for everyone).
Indie Fashion Boutiques, Design Shops, and Books
For chic homewares including Aalto vases, Avio cocktail shakers, and handsome Adam Arnold aprons, drop by veteran design shop Canoe (est. 2005), an easy 10-minute walk from Hotel Vintage Portland. This gem is a shop within a shop, and you’ll also find grooming products — the perfect holiday gifts — like pine soap by Ach. Brito and Claus Porto hand cream.
For unique handcrafted pieces, the lifestyle brand Kiriko Made offers one-of-a-kind denim pieces, oversized tees, and traditional Japanese textiles. Nearby on SW Alder, you’ll find the venerable Francis May, a fashionable spot for hip indie fashion labels, beauty products, and niche fragrances.
Portland has indie boutiques galore — the perfect spot for holiday shopping. (Photo Credit: Allison Christine)
Speaking of cologne — a classic holiday gift — the Portland-based Olo stocks an array of bespoke perfume oils (made with essential and coconut oils). Afterwards, nab your favorite authors at the legendary Powell’s Bookstore — a 5-minute walk from your Kimpton home base — which takes up nearly an entire city block.
If looking for truly unique holiday gifts, walk two blocks to Woonwinkle (Dutch translation: “living shop”) which pairs its modern goods with bright-colored vases and jewelry. Also close by is the Parisian-flared Union Way, housed in a covered breezeway and filled with tasty treats (Wailua has refreshing shaved ice) and shops like Self Edge – known for its of-the-moment denim, printed men’s shirts, and leather wallets.
In between all the shopping, don’t forget to stop by iconic Portland gems — like Voodoo Doughnut. (Photo Credit: @dailyridges)
You can rest easy at Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland. (Photo Credit: @borderfreetravels)
Later, take a trip to Cargo, a cheery emporium that stocks globally sourced textiles, home decor, jewelry, and everything a holiday treasure seeker would love. Set in a large warehouse, the husband-and-wife run Beam & Anchor stocks vintage furniture, Navajo rugs, hand-loomed Peruvian throws, and sturdy made-in-Oregon maple bowls.
Meanwhile, on the corner of 8th Avenue, 811 East Burnside hosts a bevy of women-owned businesses: Start at the chic Seven Sisters for eco-minded clothing, toiletries, books, and good-looking mugs. Then saunter over to Alexa Stark for svelte sustainable pieces. Afterwards, xobruno is your best bet for unisex bags made with leather and canvas trim.
Outdoor Gear and Sneakers
For handsome American-made boots, take a 5-minute walk from Hotel Vintage Portland to the venerable shop Danner, which offers a sturdy collection, while the made-in-PDX brand Poler is known for its fun outdoor duds, camping gear, and backpacks — a perfect holiday shopping spot for the adventurer in your life.
Portland makes for ideal holiday shopping for the athletic ones in your life. (Photo Credit: Hannes Egler)
Stop by the Nike flagship — an iconic Portland brand. (Photo Credit: Jerome Iqowg)
Alternatively, the minimalist Japanese-minded Snow Peak sells durable clothing and cooking tools like gas stoves and traveling mugs. Of course, it’s no secret that sneakers are a big part of Portland — drop by the hometown downtown Nike flagship, a modern bastion stocked with the latest athletic apparel that is only a few blocks away.
And should you be on a holiday hunt for obscure, limited-edition shoes, Index PDX is a consignment shop touting some of the best kicks in town. Nearby, BAIT also hawks an array of hard-to-find sneakers while LAUNDRY displays athletic-minded streetwear, vintage jerseys, and hats.
Where to stay: Kimpton Riverplace and Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
