Schoolhouse Electric is Portland?s Hidden Gem for Design Lovers
With a brick & mortar store, cafe, and design library inside, there's something for everyone here.
Earlier this month, I took a vacation to the Pacific Northwest and visited Portland for the first time (I know, where have I been"). I?ve learned a few things from the trip. 1) The best fried chicken of your life will most likely be at Screen Door. 2) Yes, the wait for Salt & Straw ice cream is worth it. 3) The best kept secret of Portland (and the absolute highlight of my trip) is a visit to Schoolhouse Electric?s brick & mortar store in their expansive, century-old factory.
As a design lover, I realize this declaration might sound a bit biased but when my group of friends with all different interests agreed that this storefront was one of the coolest stores they?d ever been to, I knew this place was special. Admittedly, I didn?t know much about the history of Schoolhouse Electric prior to visiting but after taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory with Andy, a sales associate at the store, and learning about the company?s roots, I admire the company even more. Schoolhouse Electric focuses on quality, not quantity, and really champions this idea through their model of full vertical integration and preservation of American manufacturing (more on this later). The brand also is a big proponent of the idea of community and creating a space that cultivates it, which is apparent when you visit the store as it also has a coffee shop, a workspace,...
Earlier this month, I took a vacation to the Pacific Northwest and visited Portland for the first time (I know, where have I been"). I?ve learned a few things from the trip. 1) The best fried chicken of your life will most likely be at Screen Door. 2) Yes, the wait for Salt & Straw ice cream is worth it. 3) The best kept secret of Portland (and the absolute highlight of my trip) is a visit to Schoolhouse Electric?s brick & mortar store in their expansive, century-old factory.
As a design lover, I realize this declaration might sound a bit biased but when my group of friends with all different interests agreed that this storefront was one of the coolest stores they?d ever been to, I knew this place was special. Admittedly, I didn?t know much about the history of Schoolhouse Electric prior to visiting but after taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory with Andy, a sales associate at the store, and learning about the company?s roots, I admire the company even more. Schoolhouse Electric focuses on quality, not quantity, and really champions this idea through their model of full vertical integration and preservation of American manufacturing (more on this later). The brand also is a big proponent of the idea of community and creating a space that cultivates it, which is apparent when you visit the store as it also has a coffee shop, a workspace,...
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