Hawthorne’s empty storefronts are emblematic of challenges facing Portland shopping districts
Updated Jan 27, 2021;
When Ray Ameripour opened Classic Collection Hats on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard over a decade ago, his neighbors stopped by with well wishes and baked goods. It made him feel an immediate connection to the neighborhood, one that would only grow over time.
He loved how vibrant Hawthorne felt as Portlanders and tourists alike flocked to the area, drawn to the eclectic shops and local restaurants that have long made the district one of the city’s premier shopping destinations.
But Ameripour doesn’t know if his shop will survive the coronavirus pandemic.