Whenever folks express concern to me about the current state of Portland, I make sure to hear them out and quell those concerns as best I can. But I also try to help them realize that Portland wasn’t always a bright and shiny, New York Times Food section loved, sketch comedy inspiring place. Far from it. For what it was like when I moved to Portland, I often encourage folks to watch Drugstore Cowboy. Or My Own Private Idaho. Because it was pretty gritty back in those days.
That’s why it was great seeing the op-ed in the Portland Business Journal from Stephen Green. The piece focuses on two specific things: 1) Portland has been in this sort of situation before and 2) Portland people know what to do to get out of it.
But the most obvious cure for portending “doom”? The actions that you and I can take — each and every day — to support local business. Rather than that chain restaurant, visit a food cart. Rather than that corporate coffeeshop, try one of the hundreds of locally owned coffeeshops that dot our neighborhoods. Rather than just “grabbing snacks” for that meeting, ensure that you’re spending your money with a local proprietor selling local goods.
This is what we do, Portland. At times, it’s slightly inconvenient. But it always — ALWAYS — pays off in the long run.
You know what to do, Portland. Let’s get to work.
For more, read “Viewpoint: Debunking the Portland doom loop: ‘We’ve been here before.’“
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