Mississippi Ave. Visit

We were having a rain free weekend so I got out to check out another neighborhood. This time I went back to Mississippi Ave. This was another turn around neighborhood that went from slum to trendy a decade ago. I was greeted with a massive new housing complex in the area I normally park. The blocks that were being built on were vacant before so these projects were just putting the land back to use but I was afraid of what else may have happened to Mississippi Ave.

As I walked down the street I found most of what had made this district special had not change. The popular eateries were still open. And many of the small retail shops were still surviving. A lot of the redevelopment of the Avenue had happened a number of years ago, in fact long enough ago that they now blend with the old. Even on an early Sunday morning there were folks out and the coffee shops were full. So all looked well here with plenty for a visitor to Portland to enjoy.

The long time vacant lot is now being filled with a large apartment complex.

I found four large apartment complexes were going up on open lots or abandon warehouses.

Outdoor seating is very popular in Portland. Best in the summer but place also had umbrellas for the those rainy days.

This restaurant on Mississippi Ave. will have a line out the door in another hour.

Originally the street was filled with houses and two story buildings. This was on of the small houses someone doing a remodel on.

I remember when Mississippi Pizza only had a few tables out front now they have build a nice outdoor seating area.

They have built a nice seating outdoors that could be used any time of year.

They have added a new friend to visit with while you are waiting for a table.

This was one of the early anchor businesses on Mississippi ave. Looks like it is still going strong.

This complex was one of the first new developments that went in on Mississippi Ave. It has aged and blends in with the rest of the street now.

One of the large new apartment buildings that took out several of the original shops.

Part of a larger apartment complex small shop line the street.

One of the long time businesses is the light build shop. Can’t find that special light bulb, this place will have it.

This window never changes but is still interesting with all of the different types of light bulbs.

The light bulb shop changes it store window to make it a place to check out when you are on the street.

Only new construction store front on the street.

This place has been an anchor for the area with class act live music.

The window had handbill showing the musicians who were coming.

Mississippi Studios is note for its outside patio that gets busy in the summer.

Look up the street.

All of the old neighborhoods would have their pharmacy. Here they held on to the sign but a coffee shop now occupies the building.

The store frontage allows for a number of small shops per block.

Small shops and eateries line the walks on Mississippi Ave.

It was interesting to see that a bridal shop had gone in.

The beer hall ends the business neighborhood. Form here on it is mostly residential with just a couple of places a few blocks down.

Prost! always had a few food carts out back but they have now expanded to have a full pod.

I looped back around on a side street and start back up the ave. further down. This is the only major mural in the area.

Ecliptic went into a remodeled warehouse and is now being surrounded by new high rise apartments.

Another one of the new apartments going in.

Spin Laundry did not loose their spot with the redevelopment. This place makes doing laundry fun.