The coronavirus pandemic has been especially difficult for small businesses in our region. As we all do our best to stay home and save lives, many local businesses have experienced economic hardship. These neighborhood shops and restaurants are the backbones of our communities. During the 2020 gift-giving season, one of the best ways to help is to buy gifts locally.
Here are 6 ways you can support these businesses throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Bring the Joys of PDX to You
You can still support the businesses at PDX, even if you’re not flying. Thanks to a service called AtYourGate, you can get items delivered to your car without having to step inside the airport. Download the AtYourGate app and select the Presecurity “Curbside” pickup location at PDX. When you’re ready to pick up, head to the upper roadway (Departures level) and find the AtYourGate sign on the outer island. An AtYourGate employee will meet you there and deliver your PDX goods.
Did You Know? The new Tillamook Market located at PDX uses AtYourGate. It’s the only place outside the Tillamook Creamery on the Oregon Coast that you can get their delicious cheese curds.
Support All Our Great Makers
We are a region of makers, and these craft experts and artisans came together to create a one-stop online shopping experience. Explore the Built Oregon Marketplace, which will help you discover products from Oregon makers. On the site, you’ll find Oregon gift guides – including one from the Port-sponsored My People’s Market – to help you shop for all your favorite people.
Made in Oregon, which has a store open at the airport right now, also offers plenty of gift baskets celebrating Oregon makers. Don’t forget about the hand-made wonders offered at another favorite for PDX travelers: Tender Loving Empire. Both shops offer robust online catalogs for you to explore for hours.
Did You Know? If you live in Washington state, you can uncover similar gift boxes at the Made in Washington website.
Give the Gift of Local Wine
Oregon and Washington have some of the best wine in the country, and many of these local wineries are offering holiday discounts. Check out this website from the Oregon Wine Board and explore these holiday gift packages from winemakers in Washington state.
Did You Know? Even if you aren’t flying through PDX, you can still bring wines from Vino Volo to your home.
Find Gifts by Interests and Passions
Travel Oregon created local gift guides based on the interests of the special person in your life. Got a foodie in your life? Someone who loves the outdoors? Travel Oregon has you covered, including gift suggestions based on Oregon’s seven regions.
Did You Know? If you know someone who loves jewelry, check out Real Mother Goose, located at the PDX Airport.
Shop Small in Portland
A new website, ShopSmallPDX.com, makes it easy for you to shop local and small this holiday season. ShopSmallPDX also features businesses owned by members of the BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), offering a way to make buying more intentional and meaningful.
Did You Know? Mercatus also pulled together a Buy Native Guide, which features Portland small business owners that identify as Native American and/or Indigenous.
Buy a Gift Card or Two
Got a few restaurants or local shops you love and adore? Even if you can’t enjoy them in person with friends and families right now, you can still plan for the future. Head to their websites to see if they offer digital gift cards or give them a call.
Here are the shops and restaurants at PDX that have gift cards for sale.
| Bangkok Xpress |
| Blue Star Donuts |
| cc McKenzie |
| Columbia Sportswear |
| Elephants Deli |
| Made in Oregon |
| McDonald’s (can be purchased at PDX store only) |
| Mo’s Seafood |
| Real Mother Goose (can be purchased at PDX store only) |
| Sumo Sushi |
| Tender Loving Empire |
| Timberline Lodge |
| Vino Volo |
| Westward Whiskey (can be purchased at PDX store) |
We know that when things get tough for people in the Pacific Northwest, we find ways to come together and rebuild stronger. Shopping local is a great way to do that right now.
