Alberta Street Neighborhood Guide
The Alberta Arts District in Northeast Portland is located along NE Alberta Street. It is actually located in the Vernon, Concordia and King neighborhoods. "Alberta" by name, is not technically recognized as a standalone neighborhood, so check the surrounding neighborhood web pages for additional information. Concordia is bordered by the Alameda, Sabin, King, Vernon, Woodlawn, Sunderland, Cully and Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhoods.
Stats | Features | Vibe | Restaurants | Businesses | Real Estate
Features
The Alberta neighborhood in Portland can probably best be described as funky and fun. The residential area is caught in the mixed controversy of gentrification, with many of the older houses spiffed up inside and out, and property values have been rising on a sharp upward curve. Many homes express a unique and artistic flair that suits the neighborhood's nickname, The Alberta Arts District. Alberta folks seem to prize their individuality, and you'll find a multi-cultural demographics mix of locals and visitors.
Alberta Street, the main drag through the neighborhood, has many newly renovated retail storefronts and restaurant space. These are mixed in with older businesses that have been there forever, and there is a contrast in the fresh paint and stylish logos next to boarded up windows (although there are far fewer of those every week, it seems). The shopping area can now only be considered trendy. The unique little shops lining Alberta Street highlight handmade local designer clothing, paper mache' lamps, imported gifts from afar, and the Alberta art galleries and shops showcase some fine local work. Smattered throughout are the requisite Portland coffee houses, seemingly one for each subculture--there are no rules in Portland about having too many coffee shops on one street, and Alberta is no exception. You won't find a Starbucks on Alberta, though, as it just wouldn't seem to fit into the quirky individuality of the place.
At first glance, the name “Alberta Arts District” may seem a little overstated when taking into account the number of galleries on the street. But when one discovers that nearly every business - from restaurants and bars to the finest in dress shops, with very little exception - functions as a gallery with a rotating roster of artists represented on their walls, one begins to understand the full nature of this community’s devotion to art. And Last Thursday, as it is simply called, is the designation given to the ever-growing event occurring on the last Thursday of each month when each of these establishments is open late and essentially transformed into the artists’ opening night reception. Regardless of its moniker, Portland’s Alberta Arts District remains a locus of high-octane change. It’s morphing at a rate you can almost hear. There yet remain forces that attempt to counter the growth, but one gets the sense that the gang tagging and intermittent vandalism that occurs resembles flailing death throes more than any real threat to the impending gentrification takeover. Many of the area’s proprietors are also its neighbors and have a vested stake in making this district work. hey are aware of their role as settlers claiming what was once wild country. And they know that success in adventure comes with strength in numbers, so they take care of one another. They are patrons in one another’s establishments. They recommend one another. In Portland’s Alberta neighborhood, businesses clustered together mean the opportunity to thrive, not cut throats.
Parks
There are several local parks nearby. The sixteen acre Alberta Park features a basketball court, an off-leash dog area, paths, picnic tables and playground, as well as a softball field, tennis court and water feature.
More Alberta Area Parks:
Alberta Street Galleries
You just can't miss Alberta's "Last Thursday", which seems a combination art gallery "hop" and neighborhood street fair all rolled into one. It is every last Thursday of the month during the summer. If nothing else, enjoy the swarming crowds, and have fun people watching. You'll also have the opportunity to pick up some local arts (and crafts) work at great prices. Support your neighborhood arts! Don't forget to check our Portland Arts page for the latest event, exhibits, and more information.
Community Resources
Join the Alberta On-line Community - Meet your Alberta area neighbors, add local events to the calendar, share photos, and more.
NE
Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN)
4815 NE 7th Avenue, 97211
Telephone: 503-823-4575
Concordia Neighborhood Friends of Trees
Watch our video of the Alberta Street shopping area, and enjoy the quirky, artsy, and fun feel of this fantastic Portland Street!
Neighborhood Vibe
Artsy, fun, funky, quirky. The multi-cultural diversity creates an interesting mix. A great older Portland community: gentrification is always controversial, and you'll catch some of the good and bad undertones, as in any neighborhood going through drastic change. This area has a strong community feel, and the local business owners along the street respect and look out for each other.
Stats
Alberta Area Zip Code 97211
Alberta Real Estate
In Alberta, you will typically find modest homes with older East Portland architectural styles such as Craftsman style bungalow, cottages, Old Portland foursquare style, and other mid-sized, one and two story homes. The neighborhood has a lot of style and unique charm. If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Portland's Alberta Arts neighborhood, visit our Portland Real Estate Page for more information, or visit our Portland Real Estate Map to search the RMLS for Alberta Arts homes for sale.
Looking for things to do in Portland? Download your Portland Weekend Guide!
Alberta Street Restaurants
Francis
Got breakfast? For that matter, got lunch? Francis does, but it doesn’t got dinner. Why not?‘Cause chef/owner Christopher Pierce doesn’t “want to work that shift.” He’s been there, done that, and lost the sleep at fine five-star hotels, and now he wants to play it his way. Okay, nothing wrong with that, but alas do not confuse Francis with one of those diners reeking of bacon and burger grease that closes after lunch rush. I want to say that this is a high-end breakfast and lunch experience – but Chris won’t let me.
You see, he wants customers to see this operation in a more casual, cost friendly light. I agree that nothing in the house will set you back more than $13.50, and even that price, for the maple smoked salmon Francis Caesar, is pretty much aberrant and out there on its own. But how ‘bout you be the judge on whether or not this joint is high-end.
With nearly a 180° window view of Alberta, the lovely dining room boasts oversized tables and “the most comfortable chairs in town,” (which Chris made me try, and suffice to say I didn’t stand back up any time soon.) As he says, he left no stone unturned in the creation of his beloved restaurant. So, the maple syrup for the pancakes, which are gluten-free by the way, is 100% pure and imported from Vermont.
The ketchup, hamburger buns, and much more – including even the seasoned salt – are made from scratch. He makes dishes like maple brulee oatmeal (just like the dessert with actual crunchy, sugary goodness that you have to break up,) and of course no low-end diner is complete without oyster hash. Plus, Chris’ stated mission is to do in Portland “for breakfast what Wildwood has done for dinner.”
Francis Restaurant
2338 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
503) 288-8299
Fuel
“…For the body, mind, and spirit.” Offering a holistic approach to keeping your engine running, Fuel fires up dishes with an emphasis on nutrition and no artificial preservatives as well as several vegan friendly options. Their entire coffee inventory is 100% organic, fair trade, and locally sourced. Fuel’s also got books, chess boards, two computers for public use, and WI-FI for all those other cylinders you might be running on.
Fuel
1452 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 335-FUEL
Halibuts
Like they need the press, right? But there’s a reason. If you like fish and chips – nay, if you don’t like fish and chips – you’ll love Halibuts. They just do it right. Anita in the kitchen will make sure the breading is crispy, and the fish is succulent. Don’t know how, but the important thing is Anita does, and she’ll do it with a side of smiles – a shortage of which you absolutely will not find at Halibuts.
Uber-friendly and unbelievably approachable owner David Mackay runs his ship with a laidback – and grateful – manner that is palpable. And within the few years he’s been open for biz, he’s seen his operation go from a small fish/chips and chowder restaurant to an Alberta institution. It’s so popular and has won so many awards and accolades in its short tenure that David added Halibut’s II next door with a full bar and live music six nights a week. Why? Like their menu says, “Just for the halibut.”
Halibuts
2525 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 808-9600
Lolo
Welcome a little Spanish flair to the cuisine of the street. Lolo is a great local restaurant and bar that serves delicious and unique tapas (small plates), raciones (larger entrees), and of course postres (dessert!). Some of the popular tapas offerings include house made potato chips with sea salt and rosemary, serrano ham and manchego cheese croquettes, octopus with piquillo pepper, farga olives and shaved celery, and salt cod brandade with crisp potato and manchego. For a main dish, try the Carlton pinchito roast pork with cumin potatoes, spicy calamari, or the cascade natural hanger steak with lentils, chorizo and piperade--among many other delicious selections. Also, be sure to try the specials posted on the blackboard. Enjoy dinner while relaxing in a cushy comfy dining room chair, and soaking up the Alberta Street vibe. Lolo serves wine, beer and cocktails, and dinner is about $30 per person.
Lolo
2940 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 288-3400
Taqueria Don Pancho
You walk in, and your mouth starts to water. This place screams authentic. So, if you’re looking for the corporate-Mexican-by-numbers, balloon-guy-for-the-kids, scream-over-the-mariachis, pass-the-ranch-dressing kinda “taste of Mexico ” – walk on by rapidamente. But if you’re looking for a menu so authentic it has to be written in pictures ‘cause not everyone there is speaking the same language, try Taqueria Don Poncho. Sharing the building with its sister carniceria/grocery store, Don Poncho serves such traditional fare as Mojarra and Sopes as well as gringo hits like fajitas and nachos that are available for dine-in or take out.
Taqueria Don Pancho
2000 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 459-4247
The Know
To be in The Know means to hang out in a space where live music, beer, and wine are on tap seven days a week. The music venue portion of the bill appears to be the star though the barstools are filled all afternoon long before the musicians show up. Owned and operated for the last two and a half years by Ryan, Sarah, and Sandwich , The Know does not offer food, but, once again, Vepadoe’s Deli around the corner comes to the rescue. Honoring yet another symbiotic relationship on Alberta , Vepadoe’s will serve you that tasty sandwich or snack plate to go with your beer at The Know. No problem.
The Know
2026 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 473-8729
Every Day Wine
What a great neighborhood wine bar! Come in and say "hi" to proprietor Beth Boston. Of course, you must also greet Porter the shop dog, who sort of rules the place. This is a casual "come as you are" wine bar with a nice comfortable, down-to-earth atmosphere. Kick back with the locals and relax while sampling any one of 400 or so bottles of wine. There's no formal wine list or menu, just browse and pick a bottle from the varied selection lining the shelves, arranged in order by region. Of course you don't have to be a wine expert to find a nice bottle--Beth is happy to supply you with more information or assistance on making your selection. Most bottles are priced in a very reasonable 'every day wine' price range of say $9-15.
Insider's Tip - the shop doesn't sell any food....in order to keep her shop dog-friendly, there is no kitchen. But not to worry--bring your own yummies from any one of the amazing restaurants lining Alberta St., or better yet, do what I did. Right around the corner from Every Day Wine, just a couple doors down is the Vepadoe's Deli and Catering shop. Vepadoe's and Every Day have sort of a symbiotic business relationship--Vepadoe's will make you up a nice deli sandwich or a fine snack plate (bread, cheese, meats and olives) and deliver it right to the wine shop for you!
Friendly people, great service, tasty food, fine wine--and all right here in one of my favorite Portland neighborhoods. What more could I ask for at the end of a long day at work? I'll be back for more! Be sure to sample some new wines at Beth's "Friday Night Flights", usually every Friday night from 5-9pm. Or, plan your next party at Every Day Wine. They hold up to 50 people, just call ahead to plan and schedule your next event.
Every Day Wine
1520 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 331-7119
Alberta Street Businesses
Alberta Cooperative Grocery
Clearing shelves of big brands and paving the way for a well-nourished neighborhood, Alberta Co-op Grocery is meticulous about their inventory. If a smaller brand is bought out by its larger competitor, it’s outta there. If a soda contains high-fructose syrup, it’s not allowed to darken the doorway.Stocking “high quality, affordable, and responsibly-produced food,” Alberta Co-op cares about what they sell because they are, “owned by our neighbors,” and are, “serving our neighbors.”
Alberta Cooperative Grocery
1500 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 287-4333
Community Cycling Center
This shop is a story that writes itself. A Portland Alberta legend, Community Cycling Center is actually a non-profit organization that believes that, “bikes are a vehicle for change,” helping people become, “self-sufficient, healthy and connected.” And they offer a wide range of programs to ensure that low-income children and families can share in the experience.In their after school program, kids learn bike safety and even repair as they earn their own bike and bike accessories free of charge. They have a Holiday Bike Drive that sees hundreds of children gifted with bicycles, and the Create a Commuter program provides low-income adults with five hours of instruction in bike maintenance and safety skills – and provides them with a commuter bicycle. Community Cycling Center is also a full on bike shop, offering sales and repair. Every bike they sell is donated. The Center performs any necessary refurbishing, and then 100% of profits from the shop/sales’ side of the business are recycled into their charitable programs. And the wheels go round.
Community Cycling Center
1700 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
Bike Shop Phone: (503) 287-8786
Administrative Office Phone: (503) 546-8864
Donna & Toots
Fashions from scratch. Absolutely everything in their namesake brand is an original pattern and sewn by hand, from scratch on the premises. Dresses, skirts, tops, and more – the designs range from retro innovative to modern fresh. Owner/designer/seamstress Suzanne Kraft actually creates her own patterns. Then she and apprentice Denise Dale, who is working to learn the business well enough to fashion her own someday, form the production line.Donna & Toots – named after the proprietor’s fashionista, party girl grandmother and great aunt – also holds sewing classes in their homey showroom and offer other clothing and accessory brands such as glima t-shirts, Live A Little Sportswear, and Conserve Bags, which makes adorable purses out of recycled plastic bags.
Donna & Toots
1631 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
503) 241-5570
Ella’s Boutique
Did Fitzgerald do it herself, or was the name always intrinsically imbued with feminine and fashionable? The eternal questions, how they amuse? Regardless of semiotic origin, Ella’s lives up to its name, primarily targeting women from their 30s through 50s with fashions ranging from yoga wear to fine evening apparel. Owner Pamela Chipman also decks out the very youngest amongst us with organic cotton baby clothes and will be soon offering a line of clothing for the same little ones made of Turkish cotton. In addition, she carries such lines as WeMa designs, Tinctoria which does all natural dies for cotton and hemp, and Ginger Abernathy Bags.In Alberta for two years now, Pamela’s shop of course participates in Last Thursday and also has its own permanent video installation in the window with a perpetually scrolling survey of local art intermixed with fashion show clips.
Ella’s Boutique
2529 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 467-4665
Foundation Garments
Building their foundation, so-to-speak, on the inalienable right of all not to have to toil in unfair or unsafe conditions, Foundation Garments stocks only those brands produced in facilities that meet human rights standards. They research the production facilities themselves and/or limit their inventory to only those brands where there is a “connectedness” between the designer and the finished product – meaning, the designer actually hand makes the product, or the designer directly oversees production. In this way, Foundation ensures sweatshop-free merchandise in their store as well as their online sales operation.Foundation Garments is also expanding and will be offering their own line of menswear soon. Owned by sister and brother-in-law Heidi and Nathaniel Carlson, Foundation offers dozens of brands in all types of styles and a showroom that features fitting room mirrors painted so that, as you try on the garments you’ve chosen, your reflection can depict you as Venus on the half-shell (The Birth of Venus) or with fig leaves covering your private bits.
Foundation Garments
2712 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 282-2763
Frock
One of their slogans is, “Fresh Fabulous Fashion,” and there’s a reason. When it comes to fashion, owners Angie Coffin and Ali Wykhuis stock one hundred percent handmade one-of-a-kind. Every single article of clothing in the store, including adult and children’s apparel plus hats and jewelry, is handmade and most everything is local. They also carry vintage with the ever-present emphasis on limited and clever designs.In business on Alberta for the last four years, Frock just recently moved a little ways down the street. And how did the local landscape greet their arrival? The Alberta way, complete with a sidewalk party and music that people are still talking about – in other words the way it’s done where neighbor means more than competitor.
Frock
1439 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 595-0379
Healthy Pets Northwest
Locally owned and woman owned, like a large percentage of the businesses in Portland ’s Alberta neighborhood, Healthy Pets is the neighborhood pet supply store. Their focus is safe and natural pet treats and foods, which means no meat byproducts, chemical preservatives, artificial color, or preservatives are allowed. There are three locations of Healthy Pets now, each one owned separately. The proprietor here is an extremely nice, helpful woman named Laura Amiton who makes you feel right at home while offering pet supplies from leashes and beds to natural herbs for ear washing and calm travel. Healthy Pets even has a “biscuit bar” with a wide range of biscuit treats and faux bones. And they deliver: $5.00 for a 5-mile radius.
Healthy Pets Northwest
2224 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 249-6571
Mabel & Zora
High fashion and playful fun - Doris Day would be right in her element. Designed exactly with Ms. Day in mind, co-owners Tiffanee and Corey Bean have created a, “sunny place to shop year round!” From Tiffanee’s buoyant smile and Corey’s easygoing friendliness to a gigantic yellow stripe that bisects the showroom and screams clever attention to design detail, this place lightheartedly compels some serious shopping. And warm, inviting, fun stuff aside, Tiffanee and Corey are serious about their fashions.
With an emphasis on local designers, they stock Woolie Originals, Kiersten Crowley jewelry, Kicklit Kreations, Ida Green handbags, Paige Saez designs, and Amy Olson jewelry designs. They also have a ton of fashion favorites such as French Connection, Sweet Pea, Mixie, and Porridge. Local proprietors, Tiffanee and Corey live just three blocks from their shop and couldn’t be happier with the local support. They’ve joined BOA, which stands for Boutiques on Alberta , and is a collection of shops that sponsors regular fun events for the serious shopper. It’s kinda like Last Thursday for people who really want to stop and try something on.
Mabel & Zora
1468 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 335-6169
Office
Retro, sleek, cool – words that just slide off the tongue when one thinks office supply store, right? Hardly. In fact, when this writer absolutely must break down to hunt and gather such supplies, a slightly different version of the old adage often applies, as in, “hard day at the office supply store, honey.”But Office in the Alberta neighborhood of Portland takes all those tried and true notions and turns them on their eraser board because it is first and foremost a design store and design hub. From the design pedigree of Twenty Four Seven and Getty Images, husband and wife design team and storeowners, Tony Secolo and Kelly Coller created Office with other design professionals in mind. Lauded in The New York Times, the uniquely crafted showroom is also a gallery and event space. And, lest you think all they do is trade in pretty, their brand and product lists are extensive, and they specialize in laptop bags and portfolio covers – making you look pretty to the corporate cheese or client by pimping your presentation.
Office
2204 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(888) 355-SHOP
Origin Flowers
There’s a certain influence a shop can have when they’re the only one of its kind on the block. And when that block is Alberta , that influence is appreciated. Owner of the only flower shop on Alberta , Beka Amblin fully owns her role as quality control for the gifts her neighbors buy and receive. As she says, she’ll stand behind everything she sells - an offer that includes digital photos sent to her longer distance customers - but she wants you to go for unique and heartfelt, not the gift-by-numbers coffee cup with attached floating balloon. She’ll sell you that if you’re determined, but you gotta stand behind that kind of lack of imagination yourself. (These are her sentiments, not mine, so you get a sense here of the kind of quick witted, clever, droll, and amazingly funny woman Beka is. I’ve dealt with her on two occasions now, and both times she had me in stitches.)Specializing in the unique and tropical in flowers and gifts, Origin Flowers is also very strong in packages and events, weddings and funerals, A – Z. And just to round out the full bouquet of offerings a little further, Beka has opened with her son the companion business that shares the showroom space…
Origin Flowers
1532 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 775-9599
IGPEI
That’s ig-Pa atin-La to you, and it spells toys on Alberta . Understanding that no one knows toys like a youngster, Beka Amblin began IGPEI with the smartest, most able toy consumer she knew, her 13-year-old son. 50/50 partners, the 13-year-old is the sole buyer and is responsible for 100% of his side of the showroom’s design. He specializes in small, affordable gifts because he wants every kid in the neighborhood to be able to shop there. His market philosophy mandates that someone his age should be able to walk in with his or her allowance and be able to buy what they want, not just salivate over that unattainable item that requires a birthday to acquisition.
IGPEI
1532 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 775-9599
Poppy and Ivy
Specializing in what owner Amy Hollands calls, “vintage kitch,” Poppy & Ivy carries home décor, clothing, jewelry, even candy cigarettes (her top seller.) With a background in estate sale merchandizing and antiquing, Amy has an eye for looking into what others might look past – and finding the gem that someone has been waiting for.Open since late last year, Amy couldn’t be happier with her new neighbors. She says that, in the harder days of construction phase, painting walls till the wee hours of the morning, nearby proprietors would bring her refreshments and make that call in the middle of the night to make sure she was alright. So, from the beginning, she’s felt right at home.
Poppy and Ivy
1703 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 284-4804
Tribute
Skateboarding tends to be a young person’s sport but not necessarily a young person’s business. However, Josh Beaudry and Andy Westhusing have landed a different move on Alberta . Tribute is the brand of skateboards and skateboard apparel that they created and have been distributing to other outlets for a few years now before opening this sole brand retail/distribution operation.
Tribute
1805 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 493-9520
Tumbleweed
Seven years ago, Kara Larson decided to settle down in her hometown of Portland – after going so far as to sell her designs out of a suitcase on the road – and open her own shop featuring her hand-made, personally designed, one-of-a-kind dresses under the label, Kara-line. In addition to her draping, romantic dresses, Kara also carries several other lines from Red Engine jeans to Park Vogel collections. But she’s done so well with her own brand, and has been so inspired by her young son, that she opened playful children’s shop
Tumbleweed
1812 NE Alberta
(503) 335-3100
Grasshopper
Selling unique toys and books, Grasshopper also features the hand-made clothing line that Kara created just for kids called Wild Carrots, which includes dresses, tees, and even shoes and socks.
Grasshopper
1816 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
503) 335-3131