1. What does your business do?
   I design plant & hop inspired products, including home goods, glassware and apparel. I’ve been in business for about 10 years and use local fabricators to help create my products. Each of my designs tells a story about the plant and comes from an original photograph.
2. How long have you been doing business in Montavilla?
   I’ve been living in Montavilla for about 6 months. Prior to that, I lived in the Foster-Powell area. I’m originally from Canada, but Vermont had been my home until I moved to Portland 3 years ago. I lived in Eugene in the 90’s after college.
3. What might readers be surprised to know about you?
   Despite being a big plant geek, I’m not a vegetarian! I’m also proud to say that a brewing company I worked for in Vermont, The Alchemist, brewed a beer after me – the Alena IPA!
4. What do you like to do outside of your business?
   I love visiting Portland’s nurseries. I’m a member of the Hardy Plant Society, so I always try to get out to open gardens. I’m a frequent traveler as well; I have a passion for the SW (New Mexico in particular) and find inspiration for my designs in the desert landscape. Oregon’s quiet coastal towns have been frequent destinations for me too.
5. What does a perfect day in Montavilla look like to you?
   If I’m feeling extroverted, I’d start my day at Mt. Tabor Roastery on Glisan with my favorite blend, the Columbia. Afterwards, I’d hike up to Mt. Tabor. Later, I’d do some shopping at Union Rose and Maven in downtown Montavilla. Before seeing a movie at the Academy, I’d enjoy my favorite drink at Montavilla Brew Works, the Flam Tap IPA. Finally, I’d end my night by enjoying a Ginger Beer at the Observatory and getting some pizza at East Glisan Pizza Lounge. They have one of my favorite Happy Hours and it’s very close to home. If I am feeling introverted, I’d grab a coffee from Hungry Heart and spend the day working in my studio.
6. When you were a child, what did you want to professionally?
   I actually wrote an essay in 8^th grade talking about how I want to design things. I always used to think about rearranging furniture and loved to sketch and take photographs. I ended up receiving an education in biology, horticulture and landscape design. As time went on, I discovered my artistic side and my love of photography, plants and design melded together to create alena botanica, a plant-inspired design studio.
7. Any events coming up?
   Yes!
   1. da Vinci Arts Fair, December 2nd, 10-4:00
   2. Merry Montavilla Soiree: Pop-Up at Union Rose, Friday Dec. 8th, 4:00-8:00 pm
   3. Holiday Open House at alena botanica design studio, mid-December (Follow on Facebook: alena botanica or Instagram @alenabotanica for details)

Randy Rappaport, the Portland developer who purchased the Beets Automotive property last year, has plans to put a 4-story building on the lot. Rappaport hopes to create a public / private partnership with the City of Portland to develop a mixed use building with a 4,500 square foot grocery store on the ground level and 60 apartment units above. The plan includes 25 parking spaces – 10 for shoppers and 15 spaces for residents.

Rappaport describes the apartment project as “workforce housing” – housing that’s affordable for someone working the average sort of job. Aimed at increasing the supply of housing in Montavilla, the units will be small, but functional. For example, the one bedrooms will be 400 square feet in size.

In order for the project to move forward with the city’s approval, Rappaport will need the support of the business community and resident groups. He has outreach plans to visit a neighborhood association meeting in the future and will also be on the agenda for the next METBA luncheon meeting on July 11th from 12-1:30pm at the Flying Pie Pizzeria.

Portland is a city of neighborhoods, and those neighborhoods are home to 20,000 small businesses city-wide. A recent story that appeared in the Portland Tribune (http://portlandtribune.com/pt/10-opinion/344880-224560-letter-show-some-love-to-local-small-businesses) describes the impact that a series of recent winter storms had on local businesses.

“The winter storms that pummeled Portland in December and January were hard on everyone, including our local small businesses. Many were forced to close as the roads iced up and employees struggled to get to work. And it couldn’t come at a worse time — the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day, is critical to the success of a small business.”

Local businesses support local projects and organizations, even though their pockets might not be as deep as those of national chain stores. They invest in the communities that keep their doors open, and they often tackle problems that affect the business and residential environment. The article cites examples of “business owners in Gateway [that] removed nearly 500 pounds of garbage and cleaned up graffiti on dozens of buildings in East Portland.” Other city businesses provided resources to community members in need.

Small businesses also contribute a lot to the local economy – in terms of jobs and tax revenue. It’s important for consumers to know that shopping at local businesses means more money remaining here (70% of every dollar spent) than going into the pocket of out-of-state internet retailers.