Since 2004 Black Wagon have been purveyors of the coolest in kids fashion, art, toys and games. In 2006 they opened on Mississippi Avenue and have become a neighborhood (and beyond) mainstay for Portland families looking for great stuff for any occasion. They’re celebrating 8 years on Mississippi this month and they want you to join them. Head down to Black Wagon, 3964 N Mississippi, on Thursday, August 14th from 6-9 pm for the fun. Portland Shave Ice and New Deal Vodka will be on hand. As will The Original Photo Booth for unlimited and free photo strips. Plus, you can check out an art show by Cano Cohen Guevara & Lias Cohen Guevara. Black Wagon will also present new fall collections from some favorites like Appaman, Mini Rodini and Herschel. I had the chance to catch up with owner Sarah Shaoul about their anniversary and how it feels to have been in the Mississippi neighborhood for nearly a decade. Here’s what she had to say.
I can’t believe Black Wagon is celebrating 8 years! How does it feel?
Pretty Amazing! Actually, Blackwagon.com will be 10 years old this fall. We are celebrating 8 years on Mississippi Ave. The best part is the wonderful relationships we’ve made with families and individuals in Portland and those who visit Portland.
Growth aside, how has Mississippi Street changed over the years?
The economy in general is changing the landscape of main streets all over the city and in this country and Mississippi is no different. We’ve seen some of our favorite retail stores leave Mississippi to be replaced by bars and restaurants. However, in the last year we’re seeing a come back from brick and mortar retail stores and that is really exciting. You really can do everything on Mississippi Ave from grabbing a delicious breakfast, see a chiropractor, pick up some coffee beans, grab a beer, shop at some of the best stores in the city and have an amazing meal. It’s also great to be a part of a business community that is comprised nearly completely of locally owned and operated small businesses. The business community on Mississippi also works closely with the neighborhood residents and that makes Mississippi really special.
What kinds of family trends have you seen in the time you’ve been open?
The biggest trend I’ve found is flexibility. Parents are doing what they can to make their lives more flexible, which may mean doing a work share, working from home or quitting their jobs to be with children. We also meet a lot of grandparents who recently have moved to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
How has the family scene changed since you started Black Wagon?
Technology is definitely changing the way we document our families and family life. So many of our customers tag us in their photos and let us see their kids at home, on vacation and just being kids. It really does make our social community more familiar.
What do you have in store for your anniversary party this year?
We’re hosting a photo booth with old fashion style photo strips. This is always so fun! Portland Shave Ice will be scooping treats for our attendees.
Portland Shave Ice is working with New Deal Vodka to provide some fun shaved ice just for our adult guests that we’re calling “off the wagon shaved ice”! We will be giving away loads of gifts from our vendors, VANS, HaPe, Plae Shoes and raffling off gifts from Stokke and gift certificates from our neighbors and Black Wagon. Our anniversary event coincides with our monthly art show reception. Our tradition is to feature art created by children at our anniversary month and this year we are featuring the art of brothers Cano and Lias Cohen Guevarra!
What’s next for Black Wagon?
We’re really excited to keep introducing new fabulous lines to our amazing Black Wagon community while growing our own signature Black Wagon collection. We just released an amazing t-shirt, called Music Heals, designed by our friends at Rattle-n-Roll and benefiting My Music Rx, a program of the Children’s Cancer Association. My Music Rx provides music programming and much more for children who are long term hospitalized. 100% of the sale of our Music Heals tees benefit My Music Rx and The Children’s Cancer Association.
