AROUND TOWN with Alyssa Hoppe of Hoppe Shoppe

AROUND TOWN is a series where we interview the visionaries behind independent shops and explore their corner of the world through their lens.
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In our ongoing series celebrating visionary independent shops that create beautiful worlds of their own, this month we shine a light on Hoppe Shoppe in Portland, OR. A House Beautiful best shop and beloved Standard Affair stockist. Alyssa tells us about her path to becoming a shop keeper and the best places to visit in her community.

-Kira

 

What inspired you to open your shop?

I've always dreamed of owning a shop. When I was little, I had always told my mom I wanted to open a little corner flower shop. As a prop stylist in NYC, I was constantly hunting for unique, handmade, and vintage pieces, and as my prop collection grew (and my storage very much didn't), I thought maybe a small Etsy shop could be a way to share my treasures. Things with me tend to snowball though, and a year later I was launching a full online retail store.

I started online intentionally, knowing we'd eventually make the move back to the West Coast and wanting to build a community that wasn't tied to any one city. From there came a showroom for appointments, workshops, and events. I was trying to create a visual presence online while knowing my true passion was always in the physical space. Since moving the shop to Portland and opening regular hours, it's been such a delight to watch it grow and continue building community both online and in person.

Is there a story behind the name?

Naming a business is hard. It's so difficult to find something that feels authentic to you and your vision, something that doesn't feel trendy, something you can live with and grow into. Using my own name felt like the most honest answer to that. And when my husband and I started playing around with it, we loved discovering that "Hoppe" was right there inside "Shoppe" and it just clicked. It's really fun hearing all the different ways people pronounce it, and it's definitely a question we get a lot: is it "Hoppy Shoppy"? "Hop Shop"? (Editor's note: it's pronounced "Hoppy Shop")

 

What kinds of things do you like to stock, and what sells best?

I love getting to curate both vintage and modern pieces. It's the truest expression of my own aesthetic and how I surround myself at home, and honestly, both sell really well.

What I've noticed is that what sells best is when we get to share the story behind a piece, whether that's the history of an antique or the artist and designer who made something. That context matters.

Candle wall sconces are also consistently strong sellers. I think people are always looking for something beautiful to put on their walls, and a sconce is easy to understand and visualize while also adding such a beautiful ambient glow to any space.

 

What do you like best about being a shopkeeper?

I feel genuinely lucky to support artists and makers and share the beautiful work they put into the world. I also love that the shop can be a space where people find a small moment of beauty and reprieve from their day. Getting to express my own creativity and artistry through that is a real blessing.

The best thing about your community?

It's so supportive. The shop has been a catalyst for some of the deepest and most meaningful friendships in my life, and I'm so grateful for that.

 

Alyssa's spots for a perfect day in Portland:

Favorite Bites:

Start the morning at Tabor Bread, grab lunch at Cafe Olli, and end the evening at Xiao Ye for dinner. And if you haven't been to Stazione yet, they just opened a few blocks from the shop and I am completely obsessed.

Best Coffee:

Coava is our go-to and just a block away from the shop. Yours Truly is also a wonderful cup, and they carry Tabor Bread pastries, which is a win-win. When we're up in North Portland, Hypnos is always a favorite.

Other Great Shops:

Deep Lake, Rodeo, and Circle Round for great consignment finds, and Bloomsbury if you're hunting for antiques.

Museums & Cultural Centers: 

We love taking our kids to OMSI and the Oregon Zoo.

Parks, Hikes & Nature: 

Forest Park is truly stunning. It's remarkable that there's an entire forest with miles of trails just 10 minutes from downtown Portland. We love floating on the Sandy River and driving out to Multnomah Falls. A massive waterfall that's so close to a city. Its pretty wild.

 

Find Hoppe Shoppe online, on Instagram, and at
1127 se 10th Ave Portland, OR