Urbanite — Local services in Portland

I am deeply disappointed and disheartened by my experience with Urbanite Portland during a phone call around 1 PM June 24, 2024. When I called, I encountered an incredibly hostile and ableist employee who repeatedly yelled at me. All I did was calmly ask him to take my disability into account by slowing down, lowering his voice, answering my questions, and providing the help I needed.

Despite my repeated requests for assistance and explanations, he continuously talked over me, making it impossible to communicate my needs. I stated multiple times that I am disabled and needed help, yet I was met with nothing but bigotry and hate. The lack of understanding and support was not only unprofessional but also deeply hurtful.

Urbanite Portland's actions today made it clear that they do not welcome or want disabled people to seek their services. After this distressing incident, I had to call the Portland city government and alert the relevant agency to their discriminatory behavior.

I hope Urbanite Portland takes serious steps to address this issue and ensure that no one else has to endure such treatment in the future.

REPLY TO BUSINESS RESPONSE:

Please review your response, as disabled people run into this all the time. For many of us, clear communication is incredibly difficult. After reviewing my original review, it definitely accurately reflects my experience. I clearly stated that it was a phone conversation, yet your response reflected something different… Other possibilities that had nothing to do with my situation. Although I appreciate that you would never want to treat disabled people the way you did, it is very clear that nobody at your establishment has had formal training on how to interact with disabled people. I would love it if for our community, and prompted by this review, if your establishment corrected that so that nobody in my situation ever experiences the extreme hostility I did that day again. At no point did the person who answered your phone ever take a moment and assess the situation, try to help, or do anything other than focus on themselves. no one should ever encounter that, but certainly not Customers, and then especially not one who is disabled and in need of assistance. When we allow everyone to participate in life, all of humanity is elevated. If you agree, then please implement the policies that will ensure that you do better, and consult a proper expert to ensure you do. Finally, if your words were truly sincere, you would’ve made an effort to reach out to me and investigate this further, which did not happen. At this point, I have no interest in any further contact with you, but I do hope you do better for the disabled community in the future, because by doing so you also do better...

Urbanite is very clean, well manicured, and the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. The two star review is a mere reflection of the evolution of this store, formerly Grand Marketplace, from an eclectic antique shop offering a wide range of styles, periods, and authentic old stuff of value, to a more commonly seen super trendy, marked up, ultra midcentury/modern shop. It's part of the hip trend towards "antiques" and things that are "rough but still clean" in home furnishings. This isn't to say there aren't some great things in this store, but over the years it has become harder and harder to come across that "find". As "antique" and "reclaimed" become even more desirable this is bound to happen. Prices go up, variety reduces, and a new trend will eventually be born. Think about the changes seen to Rejuvenation Hardware now that it's been taken over by Williams Sonoma - everything is just cleaner and more magazine friendly.

If you've read this review this far, I want to reiterate that everyone who I've ever encountered at this store has been truly wonderful and pleasant. They've also been helpful in suggesting other stores for specific needs. I still recommend this store if you're out for some causal window shopping and want to walk through a museum of ultra trendy decor; it's quite fun really. And, despite my perceived change in the store over time, I'll still stop in whenever I'm in the neighborhood for sure. However, if you're seriously looking for usable antiques at a reasonable price and for something outside of the mid-century era, you'll have a harder time finding it...

I LOVE this store. It's become one of my favorite places to shop. The items are priced fairly and everything is so beautiful and made with so much love and care. The staff are always friendly, honest and helpful; never pushy. Artisan and vintage combine into an eclectic but calm style. The word 'pizaz' comes to mind! I'm always looking for something a little less mainstream, something you cannot doubt is quality, something that feels genuine. So far, I have two favorite vases by local ceramic artists, a gorgeous handmade walnut desk, and a hand-crafted bench. I plan to look here for plenty more as I make my home cozy and enjoyable, and for gifts sometimes. I cannot rave about this place enough, just walk through and you'll find something that speaks to you. This opportunity to support so many artists in one...