Penelope’s Hope Chest

4808 SW Scholls Ferry Rd

Portland Oregon 97225

503-203-2533

Tuesday-Saturday 11am to 5pm

Tea Thyme & Lavender Vintage Antiques & Tea House is the other shop closing their doors.  Their last day is January 31, 2013.  Claire, the charming french shopkeeper, had a wonderful little shop, chock full of vintage treasures and a vast collection of teas you could sip while you shopped.  She was open 4.5 years before she had to close her doors.  It’s a true shame.

I have had several customers ask me how I am doing…since it seems like so many little shops aren’t able to make it.  I answer honestly, and say that while we are holding our own, thanks to our strong, unique inventory and extremely reasonable prices, we had a rough Christmas season.  I am fortunate that I have really good online sales to back up my brick & mortar shop.  What I find extremely frustrating is to have customers express concern…and then leave without buying anything.  While I appreciate concern…it doesn’t pay the rent.

I found it very interesting this past Christmas season, in my pop-up shop Katie’s Christmas Cottage…that a friend and I opened for the month before Christmas in the empty storefront right next to my shop.  There were quite a few people who wandered in…looking for the paper shop that had closed a year and a half before.  One of them acted quite upset that the shop wasn’t there anymore.  Bottom line?  If you haven’t visited a shop in 18+ months, you didn’t support them and you have no right to be upset that they are gone.

Here’s my personal opinion on the whole thing.  People need to open their eyes and realize that thousands of small shops and restaurants are going away.  If this trend continues…soon there will only be big-box stores to shop in and national chain restaurants.  Is this what you want?  Are you willing to let this happen?  Think of a cool little shop or two in your town.  How often do you visit?  How often do you actually buy anything?  If you don’t visit at least 5 or 6 times a year, say every other month, and spend 20 bucks or more, you aren’t supporting that business.  It’s not enough to buy a $3 card every six months.  Think about it…how many $3 cards does a business need to sell to just pay their rent for one month?  I know I probably am not politically correct for being so upfront about this subject, but I am tired of more and more small businesses going away forever.  Small businesses are the backbone of our country and the money you spend in a small business mostly stays in the community, unlike the money you spend at a national chain.

Bottom Line?  Actions speak louder than words.  Please support the small shops you care about….or risk having them close their doors too.

This last year for her was the best year of her life…she was a very happy little cat, with no stress in the household and had only Coco around to compete with for my attention.  She had a special fondness for large rubber bands and chenille pipe cleaners…even sleeping with them.  I named my shop after her…I have always had a special place in my heart for wonderful little shops with cats in them, and while having Penelope in the shop would have been a disaster (since she had a curious nature and loved to climb as high as she could go), she was there in spirit and many customers asked about her on a regular basis.

It was a special blessing to have such intense undiluted love from such a loving creature…I feel very grateful to have had her in my life.  Farewell, my sweet Penelope…..I will miss you terribly.

She loves the Lori Mitchell Halloween figures and has a large collection, especially the trick-or-treaters.

She decorated a beautiful hutch with orange twinkle lights and a charming vignette.

Her dining room table was a sight to behold, with many charming details.  She borrowed an idea from Penelopes and used “halloween” books as part of her decor, in this case, Lemony Snicket books, since there were going to be children at the party.  She hung fun items from the chandelier as well.

She put the Martha Stewart bats on many fun surfaces.

She has a great eye for detail…down to pumpkin-shaped soaps in the bathroom!

It’s not too late to decorate for Easter and Penelope’s still has lots of fabulous vintage-inspired Easter decorations for your holiday table!  A customer the other day told me that we have the best selection in town of fabulous Easter goodies for gifts and decor.  We still have several Lori Mitchell bunnies…..

as well as charming chicks by new artist Jenene Mortimer….

We even have an Easter tree…complete with a vintage hat as a tree topper!

Penelope’s Hope Chest is open 11am to 5pm this Thursday, Friday and Saturday…..3 shopping days left until Easter Sunday!

New Bling is in at Penelope’s…all the best we found on our shopping trip to Atlanta Gift Market!  The bigger the better, with jewel tones and crystals and sparkle! 

Pearly bracelets with dangling glass hearts and charm bracelets with many glass charms….

Enameled bracelets with rhinestones and gorgeous crystal bangles…large and larger!

My personal favorite of all the finds….over-the-top Bling Rings!  They are huge and they are gorgeous….the best fashion statement of the season!

It takes five years for a new fashion item to go from the streets of Paris to the streets of Portland Oregon.  That’s what I was told at the Atlanta Gift Market this January.  And sure enough, I can vouch for this myself.  I was given a trip to Paris for my birthday in 2005.

This scarf was one of the treasures I brought back.  I bought it in a tiny little shop on a little side street in the Latin Quarter.  I loved the ruffles and the gorgeous silky fabric and the beautiful blue color.  I had seen several around Paris on fashionable Parisian women.  One of the things I love about Paris is people watching and part of that is looking at how people dress…the women of Paris have such beautiful style.   One of my favorite moments was walking down a street with my husband as we made our way to the Picasso museum.  I had on a lightweight knit blouse with stylish painted swirls across it…like a Monet painting.  A french woman walking towards us studied my top as she walked towards us and gave me a small nod of approval. 

Five years later, these scarves were spotted last fall in several high-fashion boutiques in Portland, Oregon.  I saw them at the Atlanta Gift Market for the first time this January.  They were gorgeous and well priced.  I thought they were a perfect fit for my shop Penelope’s Hope Chest.  I paid $18 euros in Paris (approximately $24).  My shop’s price….$12.95.

I put them out yesterday and have already sold three.  I plan to buy a teal scarf and drape it around a mirror….it could be a gorgeous home decor accessory as well!

The colors are vibrant and the ruffles remind me of an unfurled flower.  From Paris to Portland….