FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2025

Press Contact:

Monice Wong

mwong@portlandalliance.com

PDX Pop-Up Shop Owners Bring Forward Powerful Personal Stories and Creative Concepts in Downtown Portland Until December 24th

From artists reviving 19th-century tintype photography, to a glittering burlesque and boudoir parlor tapping into Old Town’s vaudeville past, to an award-winning specialty bookstore focused on comics and graphic novels

PORTLAND, Ore.—December 2025—As the 2025 PDX Pop-Up Shops continue through December 24th, the 11 participating small business owners are drawing growing interest for the distinct personal histories, cultural influences, and artistic disciplines they bring to their temporary storefronts downtown. 

Each entrepreneur has navigated a unique journey to elevate their business, revitalize a vacant downtown space, and present a vibrant storefront—flipping neglected spots into inviting, one-of-a-kind shops in just weeks. From artists reviving 19th-century tintype photography, to a glittering burlesque and boudoir parlor tapping into Old Town’s vaudeville past, to an award-winning specialty bookstore focused on comics and graphic novels, these shop owners are illustrating how creativity and resilience are helping to reenergize downtown. 

One of the Shops, Madam Cooper’s Parlor, has transformed a vacant Old Town space at Ankeny Alley to offer a particularly unique experience—a glittering boutique with a miniature Music Box Theatre offering six-minute burlesque performances, often accompanied by a live piano player and a menu of Spanish Coffees and hot popcorn. Together with performer-led walking tours on Old Town’s storied past, the Parlor is reminiscent of the historic Entertainment District, which housed vaudeville houses, saloons, cabarets, and offbeat nightlife. Today, entrepreneurs like Madam Cooper are channeling that history to help revive the neighborhood’s energy.  

“Portland has long embraced the bold, the unusual, and the beautifully theatrical,” says Madam Cooper, the co-owner, concept creator, and one of the performers of Madam Cooper’s Parlor “We wanted to create a love letter to Old Town’s entertainment history, something intimate, fun, and deeply Portland.” 

Many of the entrepreneurs have overcome meaningful barriers in their journeys, navigating the challenges of scaling home-based businesses, reviving historical art forms for modern audiences, or taking bold steps to grow into brick-and-mortar storefronts and the central city for the first time. Their experiences reflect the momentum of Portland’s downtown recovery and small business climate. 

Books with Pictures has operated in Southeast Portland since 2016 but joined this year’s Pop-Ups program to explore the downtown retail climate. Recently voted the best comics store in the world, Books with Pictures is known for redefining what a comics retailer can be—an inviting space for nontraditional readers that champions stories by and about women, queer communities, people of color, and people with disabilities. 

Bring! Treats for Dogs is also introducing something entirely different to the city center: gourmet dog treats made with human-grade, organic, gluten-free, and low allergen ingredients. The team, who opened Oregon’s first-ever food cart for dogs in Southeast Portland, has built a following with whimsical creations such as pupcakes, puptarts, and empawnadas. Like Books with Pictures, they joined the Pop-Ups program as a strategic opportunity to explore the potential of a permanent presence in Portland’s central city.  

“With the Pop-Up Shops underway, we’re seeing just how much the stories behind these businesses resonate with the community,” said Sydney Mead, Senior Director of Downtown Programs at Downtown Portland Clean and Safe. “These entrepreneurs aren’t just filling storefronts, they’re bringing forward the kind of creativity and dedication to Portland that makes downtown feel alive again.” 

Media interested in arranging interviews, capturing on-site activity, or speaking directly with the business owners are encouraged to reach out for coordination. 

Profiles of each PDX Pop-Up Shop, including photos and background details, are available at: downtownfortheholidays.org/holiday-pop-ups-1