Month: June 2020

Fun Fact #57 What is the oldest retail business in Northwest Portland?

Slabtown Tours Fun Facts , ,
Display cases inside Chown Hardware Co. There are guns under the glass in the case on the right. Possibly fishing reels or maybe door knobs in the case on the left. Display of riffles in the background. In the foreground boot and rain gear.
Chown Hardware Exterior C. 1900 Courtesy Chown Hardware Pinterest Page

The oldest retail business in Northwest Portland is Chown Hardware dating back to 1879.  Still a family owned business that has evolved to meet the community needs. Here’s a look at some of Northwest Portland’s most enduring establishments:

Northwest’s Legacy Businesses

1875 Good Samaritan Hospital

1879 Chown Hardware  (YouTube video coming soon.)

1885 Fruit & Flower “Joyful Learning Since 1906” the organization pre-dated the nursery school

1903 Besaw’s (Not in Continuous Operation) Link to Fun Fact #17 about the petition to shut Besaw’s

1926 Friendly House (YouTube Legacy Clip Coming Soon)

1941 Joe’s Cellar Our A Night With Ghost tour starts across from Joe’s

1944 Ring Side (Fire 2025) 

1958 Radio Cab (founded in 1946, moved to headquarters on NW Kearney)

1962 Cinema 21 (Theater operations in space since 1926)

1965 William Temple House   (YouTube Legacy Clip Coming Soon)

1973 Food Front Co-op (Closed 2023 – a reminder that even legacies can end)

1975 Kitchen Kaboodle

1978 Inn at Northrup Station (Carriage Inn) (YouTube Legacy Clip Coming Soon)

1979 Twist, Child’s Play (Mud Puddle Toys founded 1987 merge 2017, closed 2025)

1980 Elephant’s Deli

1983 Jim & Patty’s (Coffee People) (closed/reopening 2025), Papa Hayden, Escape From NY Pizza

1984 Tavern & Pool (McMenamins)

1985 Kornblatt’s NY Style Deli, Dazzle (closed)

1986 Nob Hill Bar and Grill (Nobby’s), NW Examiner (Youtube Legacy Video Pending)

1988 New Renaissance Book Shop    (Youtube Legacy Video Coming Soon)

1989 Anna Bannana’s (Closed 2025)

1993 West Coast Bento

1994 The Marathon Tavern

1996 Coffee Time (Youtube Legacy Video Clip Coming 2025), Istanbul Rug Bazaar (closed)

1998 NW International Hostel

1997 Kelsall Chiropractic

2000 Vivace (Closed 2021), Le Happy Creperia & Bar, Baue Thai (closed), August Moon

2001 Ken’s Artisan Bakery, Yurs

2005 Dragonfly Coffee House

We also look forward to confirming the legacy status of other beloved establishments like 21st Grill, Marrakesh, Nob Hill Shoe Repair, Ling Garden, Uptown Barber Shop, and Delphinos/Serrotto. These businesses are more than just places to shop or eat; they are vital threads in the rich tapestry of Northwest Portland.

Updated 8-12-2025 New Links

Gone But Not Forgotten

Henry Thiele’s Restaurant 1932-1990

Fryer’s Quality Pie, 1934-1992  Link to Fun Fact #25 about Quality Pie