ULTIMATE PORTLAND BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE
Portland Shops are Cool for Getting Back to School!
As we soak in the final weeks of summer break and prepare for a return to school, here are some essential shops making the transition painless and delightful.
Hoot n Annie
Shopping for back to preschool can be affordable and fun!
Hoot-n-Annie Resale Boutique for Women and Children hosts an ever changing selection of clothing, accessories, books, and more for the littles in your life. If your kids are growing faster than Lightning McQueen down the Leguna Seca speedway, Hoot-n-Annie is a guilt-free way to keep up with their growing limbs. Choosing gently used clothing and items, you’re helping our planet by shopping sustainably while also keeping your kids looking stylish 👗👶🏼
oblation papers
The best part of going back to school is shopping for school supplies.📝🛍 From stationary, to sailor moon fountain pens, to fun notebooks and planners, Oblation Papers is the place to go for all your school needs! Be sure to remember who you lend your pencils to – these quintessential gems are too cute to get left behind!!😋
pacific holiday
Go back to school in style – and make it SUSTAINABLE! 🤩Pacific Holiday opened with the intention of being gentle on the planet and keeping clothes out of landfills. Get unique, one-of-a-kind pieces to ensure that you show up on your first day wearing something that stands out and makes a great first impression!
You live everyday life in your clothing, so choose consciously 🔆 Choose Sustainability. Be in Community. Shop with Intention.
Collage
You will long be inspired after a visit to collage 🎨
A sea of color greets you at the door. Enter to find myriad supplies for the painter, print maker, rubber stamper, journaler, textile artist, book maker, etc. There is a wide array of how-to-books, children’s and teacher arts and craft supplies, stationery, greeting cards, rubber stamps, decorative paper and so much more.
Collage is a fun, exciting, vibrant, and a totally happy place – much like its owner, Maria Raleigh, a warm and delightful curator of everything creative.
brainwave
Get your tech in order well before school begins and summer slips away! 💻
Need your computer fixed or tuned up? BrainWave Computers will help with laptop repair, desktop repair, virus removal, data recovery, security management and other technical support 🦠👾
BrainWave has used computers and even offers customers new, custom-built computers. Be sure to check for their back-to-school computer specials!
Brainwave is a must stop destination for all your tech needs!
Elliot & Murrey Coffee Roasters
Back to School means an earlier wake up call and Keri Elliot’s coffee has just the cup to get you up and going☕️
Elliott & Murrey Coffee provides high quality, specialty coffee by focusing on establishing relationships directly with coffee producers and importers with ethical trade practices, sustainability and education programs for all.
Hailing from an entrepreneurial family and with extensive barista experience it is only natural for owner Keri Elliot to continue on carrying the enterprising spirit with her own coffee roasting and cafe business 💫
Moms know best, and this mom knows how to make a mean cup of coffee!
Treat Yourself. Be in Community. Share the Love.
Unicorn Bake Shop
When you name your bakery after a magical creature beloved by little kids everywhere, you’d better have the baking skills to back it up. And the crew at Southeast Portland’s Unicorn Bake Shop does indeed have those skills 🦄
This mama owned bakery offers vegan, gluten-free, dairy-Free, nut-Free, and soy-free cakes, bars, and other treats.
You can also order custom cakes (mini ones!) and even a dozen cupcakes to share!
Unicorn Bake Shop is THE BEST place to source treats for all the kids in class (and teacher too)!😋
black wagon
Get your kids ready for Back to School in style!👗
Located on Mississippi Ave, Black Wagon is filled with colors and prints that suit every form of self expression, in sizes newborn to 14 years.
From casual tees and basics to velvet suits, there’s a first day of school and picture day outfit waiting for everyone!
Black Wagon also has one of the greatest selections of back to school backpacks, lunch bags and school supplies you’ll find anywhere in Portland.
Make sure that Black Wagon is your first stop for Back to School!
Third Eye Bag
Let’s keep that Summer Reading going right into the new school year!📚
We recommend heading straight to Third Eye Bag, the biggest, baddest and blackest anti racist bookstore in Portland. The shop boasts a collection of children's books, non fiction, fiction, SciFi, politics and more. Third Eye Bag is committed to providing tools to motivate, inspire, restore or enhance a person's cultural pride and to bring forth happiness and healing into the hearts of the PDX community.
Start with their suggested readings and turn some budding readers into thoughtful thinkers.
way of being
New school year here we come! 🥳Way of Being has plenty of back-to-school items to help start the year plastic-free. When it comes to building a lunch-box, Way of Being has all the right parts. From reusable napkins to silicone ziplock bags and stainless steel food containers, Way of Being helps the planet and makes packing lunch feel a little more intentional❣️
Check out their retail spot in the Lloyd Center, quickly becoming Portland’s indie shopping mall! Yeah! Go small!
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