ARTIFACT: CREATIVE RECYCLE — Local services in Portland

the good: artifact has pretty consistently interesting things at pretty consistently decent prices. also, they're centrally located. some of the employees (note SOME, keep reading for what i mean) are absolutely lovely and happy to chat with you about vintage hunting in the city!

the bad: in case you haven't heard, owners don't seem to be particularly supportive of their workers, particularly BIPOC employees; you can find more info @thriftworkersunited.pdx. i will also say that, as someone who frequented the store pre-strike, i've had very mixed experiences in the store — one time i went was lovely, another time i went the store was almost hostile in its unfriendliness, and i left almost immediately. (also worth noting that i was dressed up on the former occasion and dressed down on the latter... it definitely felt like certain staffers cater to young white hipster girl types, and if you stray away from that aesthetic, you'll be treated accordingly).

marking two stars so my experience doesn't get caught out by the 1-star filters, but basically... i don't shop here anymore. if you care about fair labor practices and owner accountability, i'd recommend that you don't either (at least, not until owners have made significant changes).

if you're looking for a similar shopping experience without crossing the picket line, i'd recommend buffalo or red light on hawthorne (10 min away) or village merchants just...

I have been coming to this place for years and I basically furnished my whole apartment from here. Though recently I came in on a super busy Saturday and I was just trying to try one article of clothing on. The person came over to let me into a dressing room and somehow something ceramic on a nearby table near the dressing rooms fell off and broke. I wasn’t standing anywhere near this table but I felt as though I was being treated like I had done this. The girl was agitated and short with me and just walked away without even asking if anyone was okay. Someone else came over to let me and another person into the dressing room and she was much more friendly, until I heard two people cleaning it up and discussing it while I was in the dressing room. I couldn’t hear what exactly they were saying, but I heard some negative comments exchanged about the situation.

When I came out of the dressing room the second girl was then also super short with me when asking if what I had tried on worked out. I left immediately because I felt so uncomfortable.

Honestly I feel like the overall vibe of this place has gotten a bit stuck up, and the people that work here only reflect that with their attitudes. I understand they were busy but it was so unprofessional to handle the situation that way. Not sure I’ll be coming in again...

This is a progressive, women-owned, business that is growing. When groups go to destroy the stores that are working to better themselves, and the communities, what will we be left with? Resolution takes communication and cooperation. Judging by the comments this concept seems to be lost currently. This small business goes beyond what most employers offer to the employees while creating a place for everyone to feel comfortable. They have taken ownership of missteps along the way, and continue to improve, all while staying transparent to everyone. That is rare and is what we have been asking businesses to do. Here, we have one doing that, yet they are met with hostility and no open communication, and we are still okay destroying it. That doesn't make sense. The owner has a history of being sensitive to the needs of employees and customers. They have also been an ally to the BIPOC community, holding events in support. Currently what I see outside the store, and online, is the act of people tearing down their own community based on emotions, but not rooted in truth. We need...