In the late 60’ to the late 70’s we had an amazing proliferation of “head shops” around PDX. And they were always an interesting adventure to say the least (Music Millennium was one of the best). They usually seemed to be in old dark buildings that smelled of mold/mildew/patchouli and incense of various kinds. The person running the place was always some stoned out hippie or earth mother/warrior goddess and the music usually some stony, cutting edge psychedelic rock the head shop folks always seemed to be aware of before anyone else. And the collection of paraphernalia was almost always amazing, including a lot of stuff you just don’t see anymore. Today’s dispensaries are wonderful (and they get to sell the weed that head shops couldn’t) but they are just so more “clinical” and sterile. The “ambiance” just isn’t what it was with the head shops of old. But then, that’s probably a good thing........though it’s essentially putting a tuxedo on a pig.
This reminds me of the fancy roach clips they used to have in head shops or the "stones" for joints.....basically a rock with a hole drilled through it and polished...I'll bet those old head shops still smell like patchouli oil and musk
Loved the slot car days as there was a big one in the Hollywood district on NE 37th and Broadway. We use to ride our bikes to there and race for a few hours. Great fun.
I remember going down to hillsdale, playing in basketball tournaments at Beverly Cleary, and all the bridges and Aldridge
70s during summers I was planting trees behind clear cut logging for a nickel a tree, no J roots...Country Fair, Wavy Gravy, Ken Kesey and the Farm out in Pleasant Hill..from Lane County all the way down to Shasta...went to bars occasionally in Portland
Waay back in 20-19 I used to love my frequent business meetings over Macchiato's (no that's not some candied Carmel drink you damn westsider) at the various stellar coffee joints around NW, SE, downtown, NE Portland. Will never forget it despite how very long ago it was.
Meier and Frank had a child size train just below the ceiling on the walls of the 10th floor that you could ride all around the toy department on for free. Meier and Frank toy department is also where I got Pat Paulson's handstamped autograph after attending his (non) campaign rally there. Once I was Christmas shopping at Meier and Frank and I was looking at a new wallet for myself on my way out. When I got home, my wallet with quite a bit of money in it was missing. I went back the next day but nobody had turned it in. Now I figured I really do need a new wallet so I went to look at them again and immediately spied my old wallet sitting on top of the pile of wallets, contents intact.
The Jazz de Opus, Key Largo, the Sandy Hut, Shag's Arena, the Bush Garden before the sushi craze, plays at The Storefront Theater, ice skating as a preteen on Sundays at the otherwise closed Lloyd Center. Portland Beavers games at the stadium. Camping out for tickets to concerts and Blazers games at the glass palace. Drive In theaters.
Speaking of which, we are discussing reopening. After not having closed for over 11 years, it's weird to feel reluctant but I do. Anyways, I'll comp you a Macchiato any time once we do...
The Blow Fly Tavern, hard up next to the St. John’s landfill. Always a great spot to have a beer after a trip to the dump. And the best name for a tavern I’ve ever heard.......
I bought a lot of underground comics in head shops....ZAP or the Freak Brothers or Fritz the Cat...any R. Crumb stuff and most headshops sold records so I'd pick up an LP, some comics and rolling papers usually
Ask Sly about Ken Kesey who had a farm in the Eugene area. While you're at it, ask him about Jerry Garcia. Go ahead, pry it out of him.
