Farewell, The Cat’s Meow

As I previously posted, The Cat’s Meow, a Portland landmark for over 23 years is shutting its doors. Today I made my final trip to The Cat’s Meow, to say good-bye and also take advantage of the going-out-of-business discount.

I first stumbled upon The Cat’s Meow during the summer of 2007. I had just moved to Portland (for the first time) and was spending 99% of my time studying for the Oregon Bar Exam. While I was studying I decided that if the whole “law thing” didn’t work out, I would open a store called “The Cat’s Meow” and sell cat toys, food, and cat-themed merchandise for cat enthusiasts like myself. One evening I visited the Hawthorne Avenue neighborhood for the first time and I saw it: The Cat’s Meow: a corner building with cats and yarn painted on the side. Inside the store the displays were filled with cat toys, food, and cat-themed merchandise for cat enthusiasts like myself. I couldn’t believe it.

In February 2008 I moved to Portland (a second time) and settled in the Hawthorne neighborhood. I frequented The Cat’s Meow whenever I needed treats or toys or food. For a short period, The Cat’s Meow even sold dog stuff.

Before today I had never visited a store that was on the verge of no longer existing. Everything is for sale: fixtures, display cases, rugs, everything. It is like going to a funeral, but at the funeral they let everyone pick over the items that belonged to the person who died.

With a heavy heart I made my last purchase: a candle, a toy, a mug, a rug, a basket, some cards, and some reindeer antlers for Wink and Sheba. It all came to $30.

In the end, neither the “law thing” nor The Cat’s Meow worked out…and only one of those things I am sad about.

Farewell and Thank You, The Cat’s Meow!

Dear Small Business: Thanks for the Memories

Independently owned shops and restaurants have always defined the character of a community or neighborhood. They are places you can visit only on that particular street, in that particular town.

My street is particularly defined by small independent businesses: coffee shops, bars, restaurants, Tibetan clothing and craft shops, herb shops, gift shops and pet food stores. As the recession deepens, my street’s distinct charm is fading as more businesses go under. The Cat’s Meow, a Hawthorne staple for over twenty years, is closing its doors. The two resident cats have to find new homes. My favorite Hawthorne restaurant, The Italian Joint, abruptly closed two weeks ago. Further west a pet food store and Christian store are also going out of business. How can these niche stores survive in this economic climate? Will my street, and streets like it in communities around the country, soon be home to more empty store fronts than shops? Main streets in small towns have long struggled against the superstores popping up outside of town. Why go the local drugstore when you can get your prescription for much less at Walgreens or Wal-Mart?

It’s important to support small business because it is small business that defines our community’s character. By supporting those businesses you support your neighbors and friends. You also support what makes your community special. From the smallest town to the biggest city, it is the small unique businesses that cultivate a sense of pride in community. Support your local small businesses….before the liquidation sale.