Green Bean Books, a children's book store — Photo courtesy of Meagan Shamy
Shopping up and down Alberta Street in the popular Alberta Arts District in northeast Portland, Oregon, gives you the opportunity to experience much of the best of what Portland has to offer in a small area. Plus, grabbing breakfast or brunch and then hitting a few shops can be the perfect way to spend half a day or even a full day in the city.
Over time, the Alberta area has become better known for the eateries and food carts located here, and there is often little to no mention of all the great boutiques that line the street. This is unfair to the many little boutiques found here. From yarn specialty stores to book stores dedicated to kids, Alberta truly has a little bit of everything. All the boutiques are independently owned, and you'll likely have a chance to meet the owners while you shop.
Digs Inside and Out, a home decor store — Photo courtesy of Meagan Shamy
Digs Inside and Out is on the corner of 17th and Alberta. There, you will find home decor like pillows, candles, lighting and many other cute items. They also have lots of cool stuff for your yard and garden. They offer you espresso while you shop, and they have free design services.
The Pencil Test is a lingerie shop on 24th and Alberta Street. Here, ladies can find a high-quality, well-fitting bra with the help of a savvy owner who is extremely knowledgeable in fitting bras.
Trade Up Music is a guitar store and music shop on the corner of 18th and Alberta Street. Here, you can buy, trade or sell almost any kind of musical instrument. Guitar players will especially enjoy this shop.
Grasshopper, a sweet little children's toy store, is located next door to Petite Provence, where you should grab brunch before you shop! Here, you'll discover board games, books, learning toys and every other type of toy you can imagine.
Grasshopper — Photo courtesy of Meagan Shamy
Green Bean Books is another spot perfect for shopping for children, located on the corner of 16th and Alberta. This adorable bookshop has thousands of beautiful children's books to select from, including the perfect souvenir book: Larry Gets Lost in Portland by John Skewes.
Green Bean Books has a neat outdoor patio, where you and your child can have a snack or read a book. They host story times and frequently host authors.
These are just a few of the shops located along Alberta Street. There are many more, including galleries, clothing stores, jewelry stores, a candy shop and even a few wine shops.
