Spending the summer season in the city? The possibilities for a full and active summer are endless! There is a lot happening in our corner of the city. Check out this list and don’t forget to #GoLocalMontavilla:
1. Come to the 2018 Montavilla Street Fair—July 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., SE Stark Street between 76th and 82nd. Food, music, vendors and fun for the whole family.
2. Visit Mt. Tabor Park – a landmark of the neighborhood, a great escape, and the setting for the annual Soap Box Derby (August 18) and Concerts in the Park (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/69555). These events are free.
3. Gather on the sidewalk – dining and imbibing outside is a popular Portland pastime, especially during hot weather. Montavilla has plenty of places to find a seat: Fillmore, Blank Slate, Fressen Bakery, East Glisan Pizza Lounge, Hungry Heart, Redwood, Flying Pie Pizza, Montavilla Brew Works, Bipartisan Café, Vino Veritas, Ya Hala, Townshend’s Tea, The Observatory, Roscoe’s.
4. Get jazzy at the Montavilla Jazz Festival, now in its fifth year. Festival dates are August 18-19, 9003 SE Stark Street, Portland Metro Arts.
5. Treasure hunting – find the perfect small and unique gift for yourself, or someone else, at Invoke, Celestial Awakenings, or Cactus.
6. Cool off inside – The Academy Theater is a dark, cool hideaway for those days when you need some heat relief. Offering great movie selections, food and many types of cold beverages.
7. Pack a picnic – Get your fresh groceries at Montavilla Farmers Market, open every Sunday through the fall. La Bouffe International Gourmet carries the items to go with – baked goods, olives, nuts, sweets, spices, wine, and more.
8. Playtime – Montavilla Park at 82nd Avenue and NE Glisan features a playground, swimming pool, soccer and baseball fields, picnic tables and large shade trees. On September 1, there will be a free family-friendly concert and a screening of Paddington 2.

Helen’s Pacific Costumers, which once occupied the building at 7500 NE Glisan Street, permanently closed in November, 2017. The costume shop had been open for 127 years! (For awesome photos of Helen’s custom-built mascots, check out photos here: http://helenspacificcostumers.com/custom-built/).

The building has been purchased and renovations are already underway. It will be converted into four small commercial spaces for retail-, services- and/or food-oriented businesses. The new owner, Phil Coutrakon, is interested in connecting with anyone wanting to set up shop on East Glisan. He can provide information about square footage of the planned spaces. Contact Phil at philcoutrakon@gmail.com to learn more.

A small but busy stretch of 82nd Avenue between East Glisan and SE Stark Street is one of the sectors of the Montavilla East Tabor business district and home to district member Washman Car Wash and Auto Spa. A popular place to get your car squeaky clean, especially on clear days after weeks of rain, Washman uses biodegradable soap, limits the amount of water used on each car, and recycles dirty water so there is less of an environmental impact. It also saves customers about 30 gallons per wash that they would be using if washing cars at home. Customers also receive a free vacuum token with every wash. Doesn’t your car deserve a spa day?