Local Love: Tender Loving Empire

In May, we partnered with our friends at Egg Press and moved our printing operations to their studio in Portland, Oregon. Since we now have a Hello!Lucky team up north in addition to our design studio in San Francisco, we thought it was only logical to extend our Local Love series and showcase some of the fantastic shops in Portland! We're starting with Tender Loving Empire, which was founded in 2006 by Portland-based artists and musicians Jared and Brianne Mees. It began as a record label and print shop and a year later expanded to include a consignment retail shop focused on locally produced items. The walls of the shop are covered in illustrations, and a mural above the front door reads "You are part of this place", which captures the spirit of the store and its dedication to community.

 

Its current location on Southwest 10th and Stark houses a full screen print shop and the Tender Loving Empire offices as well as the retail store front. The store sells exclusively handmade items and strives to represent Pacific Northwest artists. We're proud to see a few of our own on the shelf alongside cards made by so many talented local artists!

The screen printing studio produces T-shirts and prints, album packaging for the TLE label's artists as well as commissions for local businesses.

  

Tender Loving Empire

412 SW 10th Ave, Portland Oregon (503) 243-5859

Store Feature: ink & peat

This week we’re continuing with our vendor feature series and highlighting the lovely indie shop ink & peat. ink & peat is both a retail store and a floral design shop based in Portland, Oregon. It opened in 2009 by Pamela Zsori, who spent 15 years as a designer in the fashion industry before deciding to open up shop. As you can see from these photos her thoughtful displays and bright beautiful products make for a stylish and welcoming space. We asked Pamela some questions about how this unique shop got its start and what makes it so special...

How long have you been in business? 

We have been open for 3 1/2 years.

Can you tell us a little bit about the neighborhood where ink & peat is located?  ink &  peat is in an up-an-coming section of the Boise-Eliot neighborhood in North Portland. Many of the shops and restaurants were built in old warehouses.

What inspired you to open ink & peat?

I was a textile designer for many years. My boyfriend and I wanted to move to Portland from San Francisco and I started thinking of ways to re-invent myself. I had an "a-ha moment" at 5 in the morning while I was shopping on the east coast for antiques. I started thinking about what I would be willing to get up early for - I loved antiques, home decor, and flowers. I soon started taking night classes in floral design and thinking of ways to incorporate all the things I love into one career. It ended up being this lifestyle store called ink & peat!

How long have you been carrying H!L cards? 

We have been carrying Hello Lucky! cards for 1 1/2 years. I love the sense of whimsy and seeing people smile when they pick them up.

Do you have a favorite or best selling card from us?  

The Spring Chicken card sells well - Portland is definitely a chicken town - so many folks raise them in their yard. I always love Julia Rothman's unicorn card - maybe because I grew up in the 70's!

From what's selling in your store right now what do you think is the next big trend?

I'm not sure about the NEXT big paper trend - but right now people can't get enough whales! In home decor, there is definitely inspiration from Native American handcrafts and there is a lot of color coming on strong. I think people are ready to climb out of this tough economy and need some bright inspiration and a return to handmade goods.