Labor Day is approaching and that means students of all ages are preparing to head back to school for in-person learning, many for the first time since 2019. A successful student requires a slew of supplies – pens, pencils, notebooks, backpacks just to name a few. And who doesn’t want to look sharp on their first day? Many young scholars will want a new wardrobe. Older students heading to the dorms will need plenty of home goods to adjust to life on their own. No matter what the age of your student, make sure you shop local as you prepare them to take on the world. Need some inspiration? Check out these neighborhood businesses: 

  • Alberta: Find all the art supplies and crafty goodness their little (and your big) hearts desire at Collage. Fill up your student’s fall reading list at Green Bean Books. Be sure to ask the extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff for their recommendations.
  • Beaumont: Is your student struggling with math? Mathnasium is a learning center that teaches kids math using proprietary teaching materials and techniques to deliver a customized learning plan.
  • Foster: Foster Outdoor has marked down all consignment items by 50%, and just received a fresh shipment of backpacks for back-to-school. Are you a teacher in need of art supplies? I’ve Been Framed has some screaming deals on bulk art supplies, as well as notebooks and sketchbooks.
  • Gateway: Need to furnish a new dorm or apartment? Furniture Plus has an extensive selection of brand-name home furniture, accessories and decor, plus custom-designed pieces.
  • Hillsdale: Find affordable styles for your student at Hoot-N-Annie, a consignment shop for maternity and kids’ clothes, baby gear and toys, plus new goods from local artists.
  • Lents: Take your student to Leach Botanical Garden and learn about northwest native plants and other unique collections including ferns, and spring ephemerals.
  • Montavilla: Beanstalk Children’s Resale has all the back-to-school essentials, from gently used clothes and shoes to new and used backpacks and lunch boxes. Plus, new locally made masks and new insulated water bottles.
  • St. Johns: Teach your student the magic of the arts with the help of Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective, which offers music and theatre classes, ensembles, and workshops. If they are more interested in getting their hands dirty, St. Johns Clay has classes that provide the experience of working with clay at an electric pottery wheel in a well-appointed studio.
  • Williams District: Get everyone looking their best before they head back to school at Akemi Salon, a BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Friendly Hair Salon that uses products with a holistic and sustainable perspective. For music education, Ethos Music Center offers sliding scale music lessons and music outreach programs for students in Oregon’s underserved areas.
  • Woodstock: Since 2008, Piccolina has provided high-quality, gently-used clothing, shoes, toys, and gear for your rapidly-growing little ones.

This list is non-exhaustive so show us where you are doing your back-to-school shopping on Instagram and Facebook. See you in class!