The shop is right next to Regal Cinemas, Urban Outfitters, and two established restaurant chains. As they say in real estate location, location, location. While it's a very freshly styled shop I couldn't help but feel the ghost of Smith & Hawken on my shoulder as I took these photos, and that's meant as a compliment.
Inside...
I asked if I could take photos, and was given the thumbs up.
There were several groupings of healthy Bromeliads, which you know made me happy.
And macramé, lots of macramé (I just can't get behind a trend I grew up with)...
Ha! These are right in-line with the macramé rerun (is someone remaking Hash and San Francisco riding gear jeans too?)...
Somehow I resisted picking up Cyril and learning about his Big Adventure. Must. Move. On.
This space is just perfect for an indoor plant shop, lots of great windows allowing in light.
Talking with Nicole Forbes (I only learned her name after looking at their website, although I think we've chatted before, maybe at the old YGP Show?) I learned this is NOT a pop-up. The folks at 7-Dees were approached by mall management when another retailer moved out before their lease was up. 7-Dees had an incredibly short time to come up with, and execute, the concept, but it doesn't feel like something that was just slapped together, it's really well done.
This space is for classes, they have a schedule up online here, but be sure to look at the location, the online schedule is for classes company-wide.
Nicole's excitement about the possibility of bringing in new customers, who might not venture to an actual "garden center" (7-Dees has several), was infectious. Bridgeport Village is an open air mall that includes our areas only Crate & Barrel and Eileen Fisher locations (among many others), located in an upscale suburb of Portland. I don't know if the houseplant loving millennials shop there much, but you never know.
See what I mean about the light? Of course it helps that our typically grey, wet, December days had been replaced by cold, sunny, ones.
Among the things I thought about purchasing...
But I won't be showing off much tattoo-worthy skin until warmer days return. Hopefully I can pick up a couple next May or June (the Saguaro or Monstera leaf specifically).
Another almost purchase, check out that happy Aloe aristata!
Weather Diary, Dec 11: Hi 53, Low 42/ Precip .48"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
That's a great idea! I hope they will be successful in this new venture - we need more gardeners, so I think any and all gateway pushers are welcome. There is a great little shop on the corner of Killingsworth and Albina, adjacent to the PCC Cascade campus that seems to be doing a bustling business. But then again, as you said, that's smack in the middle of millennial metro. Anyway, cool to know it exists, so thank you for that!
ReplyDelete"any and all gateway pushers are welcome"...indeed! I haven't been in Solabee (the shop you reference on K-worth) since shortly after they opened, I think I need to make a return visit.
DeleteWhat a cool shop! My son's fiance is one of those houseplant-happy millenials who bought a Pilea (like you I don't see the reason for its huge appeal). She just recently told me she is looking for a bunch of new prayer plants, of which I see a nice selection there. The tats will be fun, come spring!
ReplyDeleteHopefully your future daughter-in-law is on the path to becoming a full fledged gardener, what with her houseplant love and new soil to dig in.
DeleteThose macramé plant hangers and hanging chairs are really groovy. I'd have thought a far out chick like you would really dig them. Looks like a great plant place and I hope they're very successful in this location. Remind me to get out my bell bottom pants, fringe vest, and love beads to visit next time I'm in Portland:)
ReplyDeleteOh ya, I can't wait to see this outfit!
DeleteGreat timing on this post as I'm headed to Bridgeport Village tomorrow. I've been on the lookout for those little, wall-mounted pottery cones I see in one of your views. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy shopping!
Delete7 Dees needs to set up shop in SoCal! I SO miss Smith & Hawken - I drove by their old location in a shopping center just yesterday and thought how wonderful it'd be if it was still there. If there's anything like this locally, I'm unaware of it.
ReplyDeleteOh I bet there's something. If not maybe I'd better move down there and open a shop!
DeleteWhatever it takes to get more people gardening. My first S&H purchases were made from their early catalog which was illustrations, no photos. They had a tiny ad in the back of The New Yorker.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think the days of cheap and easy, full color, photography have come within my lifetime. Thank god for digital.
DeleteNostalgia is always in fashion, just depends on which generation is in retro vogue. ;) I love that lower shelf of variegated plants, they look great en masse.
ReplyDeleteYa, I would have loved to take that whole shelf home with me.
DeleteLove it...maybe not quite enough to get me to Bridgeport Village.
ReplyDeleterickii
It's quite a drive for you!
DeleteI visited the 7Dees nursery in Tillamook on my drive back home in Sept.A very nice garden center and I'm not surprised tat they have executed this shop well. "The ghost of Smith and Hawken"..I will never forget how excited i was to visit the flagship store in Mill Valley in the 80's. I bought a vase and a book.
ReplyDeleteI was there back in the mid 90's...but I don't think I bought anything.
DeleteI don't think I ever saw hanging plant racks, just like in a boutique. It's a cool idea. And so are the temporary tats. You'll have to post again next summer when you get one or two or more... This is my first introduction to Pilea Peperomioides; seem very cute to me.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you need your own Pilea Peperomioides?
Delete