Leisure

By Janet Unruh
Wilkes East Neighbor and Board Member

There are at least 28 quirky, one-of-a-kind shops in Gresham, including such things as yesteryear consignment shops, guitar and musical instrument shops, upscale resale women’s clothing, antiques, Mexican and Latin American flea markets; and probably others I haven’t found yet. For this article, I left out a whole category of grocers, but they include Mexican, Middle Eastern, Euro-Russian, Pacific Islander, and a little farther away: Somali, Indian, and Asian. However, I have to make an exception for the PDX Halal Supermarket and Kabul Restaurant. They sell Persian rugs, furniture, wall art, housewares, spices, and packaged foods from the Middle East. It’s right in our neighborhood at 16223 NE Glisan Street. Google reviews: Friendly people from Afghanistan! Great food with big helpings. The bread is always delicious. Great prices. Immaculately clean market. Food is authentic Afghani. Food is probably the best Afghani food that I have had in the Oregon area.
We also have a new Mexican flea market nearby called Oregon Flea Market, at 16321 SE Stark Street. Google reviews: They carry an assortment of things like candy, food, snacks, toys, gifts, shoes, clothes, jewelry, electronics, and so much more. Great place! Great vibes! There's a really awesome second-hand shop on the east end way in back of the covered area, highly recommend. Lots of cool and unusual stuff, always getting new stuff. Hidden gem!
As I was collecting the list of quirky shops, I looked at the photos for each shop in Google Maps. My eye landed on a “Fire King Jade-ite” juicer. See below.

Fire King Jadeite juicer, Click to enlarge

My family has a large collection of this light green, opaque “milky” glassware: dishes and bowls of different sizes, cups and saucers, serving bowls, etc. However, this juicer is one piece that we don’t have.

Permit me a little diversion. Once upon a time, my family had a cabin in the Colorado mountains, which we visited every summer. We have fond memories of the scent of pine forests, evening cookouts, and the path into town. On the way to town, we’d cross streams and run through the patch of wild roses to avoid a bee sting. It was there that we had these dishes. They were inexpensive in the late 1940s, but now they are collectible.

I couldn’t read the price of the juicer (does it look like $69.99? Ouch!), so I went to look at it in person. It was at a shop called Side Hustle Auction and Thrift at 317 NE Roberts Ave., Gresham, OR 97030. It’s a consignment shop with several rooms full of interesting items.

Side Hustle Auction and Thrift, Click to enlarge

17 Google reviewers gave it five stars. What’s extra quirky about this shop is that the owner, Carrie Hughes, runs a weekly online auction.I asked about the juicer and it had already been sold. But I was amused to find a few pieces of the green uranium glassware under a blacklight, which causes them to glow. This type of glassware is made with a small amount of uranium and is radioactive, but its radioactivity is very low. I browsed the whole place and had a good time. I was tempted to buy a blue guitar in good shape. Google reviews: Amazing hidden gem! So very great deals! My friend had to drag me out because I was about to buy half the store. Awesome place. Lots of cool stuff. Don't think I've ever been in and not come out with something. Love collecting VHS tapes from my childhood.

Here’s my list (so far) of quirky, one-of-a-kind shops:

• Amiton Furnture, 202 N Main Ave. Retail home furnishings.
• CB’s Tropical Aquarium, 3 NE 181st Ave. Fresh and saltwater fish, and accessories.
• Cheap Charlie’s Beer and Wine Superstore, 79 NE Roberts Ave. 1,000-plus brews, plus many wines.
• Deep Creek Garden Center, 2330 NE Hogan Dr. Seasonal trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials.
• Discounts Plus, 211 NE Roberts Ave. Closeout and liquidation.
• Eagle Bargain Outlet, 867 E Powell Blvd. Eclectic furnishings, household items, clothes, etc.
• Eastside Music, 21977 SE Stark St. Musical instruments.
• “FLEA” Market, 18340 SE Stark St. Booths with lots of Mexican items, jewelry, electronics, and mini cafes.
• Found on Fremont, 560 NW Eastman Pkwy. Consignment.
• Foxtrot Vintage, 227 N Main Ave. Upscale antiques, etc.
• Gaia’s Workshop, 475 NE Burnside Rd. Drums and sacred art.
• Gresham Guitar, 835 N Main Ave. All things guitar, electric and acoustic, repairs, and lessons.
• Gresham Music, 620 SE 223rd Ave. Brass, woodwind, and stringed instruments. Orchestra, band; rentals, and lessons.
• Island Hope Mart, 17308 NE Halsey St. Pacific Islander clothing, jewelry, packaged foods, and snacks.
• JunkYard Deals Thrift Store, 23 NE 10th Dr. Upscale used furnishings and clothes.
• Let’s Play Again, 20 NW 2nd St. Toys, dolls, stuffed animals.
• La Pulga Fantastica, 19340 SE Stark St. Super-large Mexican flea market with all kinds of Mexican items and mini cafes.
• Maggie Mae’s Bookshop, 50 NW 1st St. Books, games, gifts for all ages, especially baby to teens, reading challenge, teas!
• Molly's Upscale Resale, 111 N Main Ave. Women’s clothing.
• Montavilla Sewing Center, 971 NE Kelly Ave. Sewing supplies.
• NW Creations and Collectibles, 364 NW Eastman Pkwy. Crafts. They are looking for another (cheaper) location.
• Oregon Flea Market, 16321 SE Stark St. Mexican flea market.
• PDX Halal Supermarket with Kabul Restaurant, 16223 NE Glisan St. Middle-east furnishings, grocery, and restaurant.
• Schedeen’s Nursery, 845 NE 10th St. Plants, farmer's market, gifts, and preserves; something for every season.
• Second Nature Pet Supply, 17 NW 1st St. Food, snacks, toys.
• Side Hustle Auctions and Thrift, 317 NE Roberts Ave.
• The Gresham Toy Shop, 126 N Main Ave. Toys, collectibles.
• The Other Side Nursery, 458 SE 185th Ave., #103, Rockwood Market. Wide variety of indoor plants, plus rocks and crystals.

Let’s visit these quirky shops and keep them going!

For a map showing the location of these shops, click this link.

Hello Gresham neighbors, I’m Emon Ghassemi, and I’m honored to serve as the Youth Services and Recreation Manager for the City of Gresham. Since joining the city in 2022, I’ve been dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for young people and families in our community. As I approach my third year in this role, I continue to be inspired by the resilience, energy, and potential of Gresham’s youth.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to expanding youth services, increasing access to recreation, and strengthening violence prevention efforts. One of my top priorities has been the East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention (EMOPI) program, which we launched to address youth violence, provide intervention and mentorship, and connect young people with the resources they need to succeed. Through EMOPI, we’ve partnered with 18 community-based organizations to provide outreach, case management, and positive youth engagement throughout Gresham and East Multnomah County. This work is critical to ensuring that young people facing challenges have support systems in place rather than being pushed further into harm's way.

Our approach is holistic, data-driven, and deeply rooted in community collaboration. We’ve built partnerships with schools, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and grassroots organizations to ensure that intervention efforts are preventative rather than reactive. Our goal is to interrupt cycles of violence, provide alternatives to exclusionary discipline, and create more opportunities for youth to succeed in school, work, and life. Through these efforts, we’re not only making an impact on individual lives but also strengthening the entire community by fostering safer neighborhoods, more engagement in positive activities, and greater investment in our city’s future generations.

In addition to our violence prevention efforts, I’ve been focused on revitalizing Gresham’s recreation programs to make sure families have access to safe, fun, and enriching activities. Whether it's summer camps, after-school programs, sports leagues, or citywide events, my goal is to create spaces where all young people feel included, supported, and encouraged to thrive. Recreation plays a crucial role in building connections, improving mental and physical well-being, and keeping youth engaged in positive experiences. My vision is to expand these programs so that every young person in Gresham has access to activities that inspire them and help them grow.

This March, I have the privilege of chaperoning four outstanding young leaders from Gresham to Washington, D.C. for the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference. Three of these youths represent the Reynolds School District. This experience will allow them to engage with elected officials, learn about public policy, and connect with youth leaders from across the country. As someone who believes deeply in the power of mentorship and civic engagement, I’m incredibly proud to support these young people as they represent Gresham on a national stage. These kinds of opportunities not only shape young minds but also empower them to become future leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their own communities.

A little about me. I was born in 1982 in Tehran, Iran, during the Iran-Iraq War, a time of great uncertainty and hardship for many families. My parents made the difficult decision to leave Iran when I was just over four years old because they wanted a better life for me and my sister, free from war and instability. We arrived in the United States and eventually made Oregon our home, where we worked hard to build a new life. Growing up as an immigrant, I experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and trying to fit in while holding onto our heritage. Despite these challenges, I’ve always been grateful for the opportunities this country and this state have provided me.

I earned my B.A. in International Studies from Portland State University, where I developed a passion for understanding global issues, cultural dynamics, and social change. I later pursued my M.A. in Peace & Conflict Studies, which deepened my commitment to youth development, violence prevention, and creating pathways for young people to succeed. My education and life experiences have shaped my belief that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves opportunities to thrive, learn, and contribute to their community.

Gresham has always felt like a special place to me. This city is full of passionate, hardworking people who care about their neighbors and are committed to making Gresham a great place to live. Whether I’m working with community-based organizations, collaborating with school districts, or organizing events for local families, I see firsthand the power of connection, mentorship, and community-driven solutions. I believe that when we invest in our youth, we invest in a stronger, safer, and more vibrant future for everyone. I’m proud of the work we’ve done through EMOPI, recreation, and youth outreach, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead to expand and strengthen these efforts.

Looking forward, my focus will remain on growing these programs, deepening partnerships, and advocating for the resources our youth and families need. I welcome anyone who wants to get involved, whether you’re a parent, mentor, or community leader, because real change happens when we work together.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this incredible community. I look forward to continuing this work and seeing the positive impact we can create together!

Best,
Emon Ghassemi