Noun

Noun is a beautifully understated shop in southeast Portland.  Sharing its space with the delicious Saint Cupcake, it is also a sweet stop if you need a gift to amaze. With an innovative blend of antiques, local art and curiosities of all shapes and sizes, you can find that perfect something for that special somebody.

Noun, located in the Belmont neighborhood, is a great destination for both locals and Portland visitors. The shop’s motto is “a person’s place for things.” With many “things” to choose from, you can spend a long time pouring over the items and enjoy every minute of your visit.

The shop has a host of amazing gifts and antiques which are perfect for birthday presents or to bring back to friends and family members after a vacation. They also have a large selection of locally-produced greeting cards if you are looking for something more than just another Hallmark card.

With both practical and whimsical gifts, you are sure to find something to fit what you are looking for. Creative work by local artists is another highlight and ranges from framed designs to small household items like pillows.

Upon walking into Noun, you will notice it does a good job of blending modern design with an ample selection of crafted vintage items. The small space feels filled to the brim without feeling cluttered. On weekends it can have a good crowd, but if you are looking for a more low-key shopping experience, try a weekday afternoon. The staff are very helpful too, especially if you have question or just want the back-story on a particular item.

Their recent remodel allows them to show off all of their latest wares in a slightly larger space. A good choice if you are wondering what they have new in stock is to read their online blog. Not only is it well-written, but it also gives you advance knowledge if they are stocking a new item.

With so many shops specializing in unique vintage and local crafts, Noun separates itself by keeping it simple and condensed. With amazing items and friendly staff, Noun makes shopping as easy as it is to remember this lovely store’s name.

HelloPortland Tip: Need a little energy after a day shopping? Saint Cupcake is housed in the same space as Noun and offers delicious cupcakes such as a Vanilla Buttercream.

- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

William Crane

William Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues. Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.