Give Love to Your Local Establishments
I struggle with sifting through memories and old art. There’s still a white cardboard box vomiting up “Congrats, Grad!” cards and $10 Cold Stone vouchers by my bed at my parents’ house. Only after a weighty emotional push (and my mother’s insistence) did I sort through it, discarding almost nothing because all those pen ink words felt too special. I did find a stray Amazon gift card that I used to buy a carbon monoxide detector. It now sits in my bedside drawer, asking for a set of new batteries.
Every time I visit home, I’m tasked with organizing another untouched childhood archive. The most recent was my art bin. That bin has been collecting my drawings, collages, and sticky elementary school valentines for 18 years now. The plastic lid bowed slightly in the middle from the mass of paper and cardboard inside. It was like mining through an emotionally charged sedimentary rock of everything I have ever made. Book reports, swim caps melted together, fun-run shirts with stray Otter Pop stains, pins from a field trip to a cave, felt crafts caked with fabric glue, the story that I made up and illustrated on the back of my math booklets, paper dolls, and many report cards saying I disrupted class with my chatter.
About halfway into the thick middle of the storage bin, I found a piece of lightweight, light-brown graph paper with a map of my ideal city. I think my teacher’s goal leaned more towards teaching us how to use coordinates, but 4th-grade me took it as an opportunity to curate my most beloved businesses, locations, and lunch spots. Among the places mapped were Great Harvest, OMSI, a Lego store, the Olympic trials pool, the public transportation system, a family-favorite pizza place from out of state, and something called the “elderly building” (I’m assuming I meant retirement home). Also listed were city necessities such as parks, bus stops, hotels, a town hall, and a few other less exciting edifices. But after putting that piece of paper in the “preserve and keep” stack, I started thinking about how I would recreate the same map today.
Even though I had travelled up the I-5 and stopped in Eugene many times before, when I moved in for my freshman year I still had little understanding of what food spots were worth my money and which locations were worth my time. Most of that year was spent bumbling around campus buildings or loitering in the aisles of the overpriced natural foods grocery store near my dorm. I even walked 5 miles to the Trader Joe’s once, desperate for a change of scenery. After bringing my car to school, I have (many parking tickets later) cemented the establishments that belong in my revised ideal city and the business owners who have made my time here feel more like home.
Down to Earth & shops on Olive St.
Close to 5th Alley, Down to Earth, Oak Street Vintage, Farmer’s Union, and Mountain Rose Herb Co. is the perfect lineup of shops for a non-football Saturday afternoon or light-homework Sunday. Get a latte with the miso caramel at Farmer’s, a cup of tea and some free stickers at Mountain Rose, French soap at Down to Earth, and stare at stacks of pristine mid-century furniture at Oak Street Vintage.
Time Travellers Antique Mall
As soon as I got my car up to Eugene, I started scanning for good antique malls in the area. Time Traveller’s came highly recommended. Every corner and hallway (of which there are many) is filled with old casino ashtrays, ribbon spools, glassware, film cameras, records, jewelry, circus posters, pins, postcards, cookie cutters, logging festival prize ribbons, and shelves cluttered with so much more. I recommend inviting a friend or two to go with – it’s a lot to navigate solo.
Freestyle Superette & Founded Vintage
This spot comes recommended by my friend and fellow blogger May. Located on the corner of Willamette and West 13th just up the stairs, this is the perfect vintage spot. Fur coats, Gunne Sack dresses, Oregon gear, and vetted designers. This store gave me one of my most prized possessions, a beautifully draped silver Dries van Noten midi dress. An extra perk is that the store owner is lovely and deeply knowledgeable about the fashion industry.
Capella Market
Few grocery stores have the morning sky painted on a domed ceiling, and even fewer have a hot bar with paella, chimichurri pork loins, dolmas, and focaccia. I had driven past Capella Market many times on my way to the two locations listed below, and one day, I decided to use a cancelled 10 a.m. class as an excuse to walk over. Not needing anything in particular, I walked away with an organic tongue scraper and my new favorite local grocer.
Tsunami Books
This is the first of two spots that I credit my brother for introducing me to. Murals of woodland creatures with monocles and bookbags, along with a dollar book cart, greet you at the door, and it just gets better from there. Inside, you’ll find a sliding ladder, local authors, staff picks, a politically-postered ceiling, a record section, local artwork, charmingly pitched rooflines, and a baby grand piano tucked up on a stage where they host occasional bluegrass concerts and book talks. The free bookmark at checkout doesn’t hurt either.
Barry’s Deli
About a half mile away from Tsunami is Barry’s, possibly my most beloved spot on this list. The menu is simple, and every meal, muffin, cookie, or slice of cheesecake is worth your time if you don’t immediately fall in love with one item and stick to it for every one of your future visits. If you are ever sick, missing a family member or pet, got a disappointing grade, an injury, or any other ailment, find your way here immediately (you should go on good days too). I get a lox and cream cheese with all the toppings, a cup of matzo ball soup, and a chocolate rugelach, but anything in the bakery case and everything on the menu has been vetted by my family, friends, and anybody I can drag along with me.