Piecing Together A Future

Buying trends - Part two in a four-part series

By Rebecca Randall

The Lake Oswego Review, Jan 28, 2010

VERN UYETAKE / lake oswego review

Downtown’s specialty retail business The Pine Needle, a fabric store that targets quilters, draws a customer base from all over the U.S. said owner Geri Grasvik. The store sends out a mail order catalog to help boost business.

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Uniqueness seems to be a big draw for shoppers to Lake Oswego, a survey from Moore Information reveals. But while uniqueness draws nonresidents to shop in town, 55 percent of female residents surveyed shop outside of Lake Oswego.

The firm conducted a five-zip-code area telephone survey of women ages 35 to 55 with annual household incomes of $50,000 or more. The results give a picture of the current shopping trends in the retail market – focusing mostly on Lake Grove and downtown.

“It’s really, really interesting how some of our niche businesses draw from a larger area than you would think,” said Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce CEO Jerry Wheeler.

Lake Grove business owner Bea Searles, who runs Naomi’s Lampshades and Lamps said that many of her customers come from outside of Lake Oswego.

“When the designers were in their heyday, they would come up from California,” said Searles. “There is no other store that has as many shades as we do.”

Most of Naomi’s shades are also made in the U.S. – another selling point for Searles. She also has customers from the Oregon Coast, Idaho and Montana.

Downtown also has its fans. The Pine Needle, which has been in downtown Lake Oswego for 18 years, draws a customer base from all over the U.S. In 1999, the store was named in the top 10 best quilt stores in the country by Better Homes and Gardens, and since then it has sent out a catalog with its products and is a popular destination for avid quilters from around the Northwest.

During the summer, tour companies bring in buses of quilters visiting Oregon for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The bus makes three stops at Portland-area quilt shops, including The Pine Needle.

“I have asked for tour directors to allow (the quilters) time in Lake Oswego because it’s a great place to shop in,” said owner Geri Grasvik.

Grasvik likes to point out area restaurants so people can enjoy lunch after shopping.

“Not everyone quilts,” she said. “But everyone eats.”

The store’s customers also enjoy Sur La Table and Chico’s, she said. And Grasvik is excited about the recent downtown additions of Lakeside Gifts and Accessories from the Heart.

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