New arrivals at The Shops at 10Y
A group of new pop-up shops are open in downtown Portland at The Shops at 10Y, 901 SW Yamhill St. The shop owners’ vision for the space is as a “kinetic collective” – offering attendees an experience informed by fashion, art, history, and healing.
The four pop-ups are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and will remain open through February. They join 10Y trailblazers Abbey Creek Vineyard, which opened its tasting room, The Crick PDX, this past summer, and Orox Leather, which opened its 10Y space in November. Order online or stop by any and all of The Shops at 10Y; stores will be practicing social distancing, and there will be ongoing disinfecting. Capacity will be limited. Please wear a mask!
Meet the vendors:
Megon Dee, founder of Oracle Wellness Co
Megon Dee, founder of Oracle Wellness Co: After the self-expungement of six cannabis-related charges, Megon relocated to Portland from Baltimore, Maryland. She wanted to navigate the developing legal cannabis industry with her culinary skills. Her goal was to move beyond recreational cannabis and journey into her chosen career path by gaining knowledge and understanding of cannabinoids and terpenoids as medicine. That interest grew into Oracle Infused Wellness, which crafts wellness products that enhance your ability to heal, protect, and find yourself through plant medicine. Megon says she would like to "continue to provide a safe space for cannabis and dismantle the stigma and injustices among brown people that have been assigned to cannabis for years."
Nedim Korkmaz, founder of Nomadic Vintage PDX
Nedim Korkmaz, founder of Nomadic Vintage PDX: Nedim is originally from a small town in Anatolia with a population of less than 2,000. It was there he developed a love for the rituals and practices of rug making with his family. When he moved to Portland and saw people selling rugs at the different markets he was disappointed to find out that the story and meaning of these carpets were unknown. He wanted to change that. It was at this moment Nomadic Vintage PDX was born. Nedim began to purchase rugs from a close friend in Istanbul to sell in Portland. He says, "With each rug sold, buyers are bringing home generations of imagination, experience and craftsmanship. They are buying colors and motifs woven intentionally to share an artist's creative storytelling, her hopes and visions." There is a story behind each rug and that's the beauty in Nomadic Vintage PDX.
Nate, founder of Swabkin
Nate, founder of Swabkin: A Portland native, Nate credits his interest in social justice to watching his mom use her voice at a very young age. He says, "I realized the power of using my voice and talents to combat social justice after reading about Malcolm X while going through depression." He started a social justice clothing business with a few of his friends. Nate's passion for using his talents to combat the inequalities that exist today was so strong that he continued on despite the group dispersing. Nate believes that "Through Unity We Succeed," and that's exactly what Swabkin clothing is all about.
Quincy Brown, artist and co-founder of We All Rise
Quincy Brown, artist and co-founder of We All Rise: Quincy is a Portland native and no stranger to using his voice. He helped start We All Rise, a black and woman-led community engagement initiative, this past summer. It focuses on reinventing spaces across neighborhood commercial districts to help business owners of color. At the 10Y pop-up, Quincy is using his voice through his art. He's teamed up with Nate (founder of Swabkin clothing) to tell the story of his family's migration from Alabama to Oregon. Quincy's grandmother has been able to share much of the family’s rich history and he will be sharing the story with his art. "It is so important for me to share my family's history with Portland before I leave this city one day."