July is National Independent Retailer Month, a time to shop local and celebrate the indie retailers that are creating more vibrant, livable, and sustainable cities. In Portland, independent businesses drive the economy–our city contains roughly 23,000 small businesses that provide 300,000 jobs. By supporting a small, independent business, you are supporting your community. In fact, each $100 spent at local, independent businesses generates about $45 of secondary local spending, compared to $14 for a big-box chain. Plus, neighborhood businesses donate to local causes at more than twice the rate of national chains. Celebrate National Independent Retailer Month by supporting these businesses that have gone above and beyond for their communities.

  • Alberta: Blind Insect is an art gallery and shop that sells a unique collection of local and international art and focuses on multicultural artists.
  • Beaumont: Adorn opened in 2009 after realizing there was a serious gap in the retail market for women’s boutiques with a real-world, body-positive attitude.
  • Central Eastside: Cargo, a Portland institution of international and local artisan goods, has opened the Cargo Emporium which features 12 independent, women-owned businesses and one of the most vibrant maker’s scenes in Portland.
  • Foster Area: Stop in to Wild Mountain Wax for handcrafted vegan, non-toxic, and phthalate-free soy candles inspired by life in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Gateway: Not only do they do incredible windows and glass shower installs, but Town & Country Glass has also stepped up to help local businesses that have been vandalized.  
  • Hawthorne: Twill specializes in locally made and domestically produced clothing for women of all shapes and sizes.
  • Midway: Tony’s Garden Center has annuals, perennials, houseplants, trees, and shrubs in addition to all the accessories and tools that you need for your next project.
  • Multnomah Village: If you live in Southwest Portland, Annie Bloom’s Books is your go-to spot for a large range of books across many genres, plus magazines, CDs, and cards.
  • Old Town: Mimi’s Fresh Tees is a women-owned clothing shop with designs that amplify tough social justice conversations.
  • St. Johns: Blue Moon Camera is not only a destination place for all your camera and photo needs, but it has a cool International Camera Museum with a collection of film cameras from throughout history. 
  • Williams District: ReClaim It is a nonprofit art and reuse retail store that salvages materials from the “dump” (Metro Transfer Station) for artists, neighbors, and DIYers to reuse, repair, and reimagine.

This list is non-exhaustive. Which independent retailers do you love to support? Tell us on Facebook and Instagram.