October 15th, 2008

Best of Portland Picks 2008

These are some of our favorite local businesses for 2008—they have great products, excellent customer service and make our days happier. We encourage you to search the Portland Picks archives for more information on them! And while you’re at it, check out the many hundreds of other outstanding local businesses we’ve written about this year that we haven’t featured here.

Trust us… it was incredibly difficult to consider all of Portland’s amazing retailers and service providers and select “the best.” Next year, who knows who’ll be on the list?

Anne Bocci Boutique—stylishly refined women’s clothing and accessories
The Arrangement—amazing gift selection for everyone on your list    
Baby Star—super cozy baby blankets, bibs and burpies
Barre3—the newest, hottest workout
Blackwagon—who’s hipper? You or your baby?
Blush Beauty Bar—fab products and mini-makeovers when you’re on the go
Camellia Pure Beauty—chemical-free, all-natural beauty and bath products
cheeky b—quirky, clever, spot-on gifts for everyone you know
Cupcake Jones—ridiculously decadent little love-cakes
The DragonTree—a glamorous holistic spa spot
Emily-Jane—glorious baubles to hang a star on       
flora—a celestial selection of gifts, art and accessories
Flutter—gift-shopping in a slightly oddball fairytale
Folly—neat, sweet, and a must for fashion addicts
Frock—the most original reworked garments 
Grasshopper—kids’ clothes, toys and dreams waiting to come true          
Greenloop—the perfect iteration of “eco-style”
Gypsy Chic—best place to pretend you’re Sienna Miller
Haggis McBaggis—outstanding selection of kids’ shoes
The Hip Hound—adorable accessories and pet food you could eat yourself
La Bella Casa—gorgeous gifting for any occasion         
Lille Boutique—ethereal underthings    
lucy—locally designed, uber-adorable workout clothes
Mabel & Zora—they brought “girly” back
Mink Boutique—great prices for on-trend, totes adorable womenswear
Meringue Boutique—where you shop when you need an ego boost
Nolita—can you say “denim”? Plus exceedingly hip clothing.
NW Pilates—great prices on top-notch private lessons
OFFICE PDX—taking “desk accessories” to the next level
Olio United—clothing and home accessories with an organic bent
The Paper Garden—oh so pretty, from wrappings to presents      
Pin-Me Apparel—trendsetters shop here for original outfits
Popina Swimwear—so retro! So glam! Such a great fit!      
Recess Wellness—their boot camp will change your life
Relish—Decorate your home and your life, independent-style
Rosie Ro handbags—so cute! So local! So handmade!
Small Things Designs—eminently wearable rings and pendants
Soho Boutique—personally fitted denim + stylish clothing
Tilde—design-savvy art + accessories for home and body.    
Union Rose— hip, stylish and pretty locally handmade items
Zilla Sake—a sake bar and sushi? Heaven.