Vancouver's Uptown Village

A neighborhood on the verge

By Eric A. Johnson and James Walling

The Uptown Village neighborhood is our bread and butter here at The Vancouver Voice, and it's always shocking to for us to discover how oblivious many Vancouverites are to this charming neighborhood's existence.

It often holds true that Edens like Uptown depend upon the ignorance of the wider world for some small measure of insulation against the age of commercialism. But it's a delicate balance - too much exposure, and our gem of a neighborhood goes the route of Wal-Mart, too little, and we all starve for lack of business.
In any case, the dozens of independently owned shops and eclectic enclaves of residents packed together between Fourth and Mill Plains west of I-5 comprise one of America's most endangered species - a distinctive, closely-knit community on the verge of something big.

With our "You Are Here" focus - a feature we hope to repeat semi-regularly with other areas of interest in SW Washington - we'll try to shine a light on Uptown. If you're a regular visitor or a local already, kick back and bask in the glow; if you're still unaware of this great neighborhood and its charms, behold.

Unlike Portland's Pearl District or other so-called 'neighborhoods' that have been pre-fabricated and sold to the highest bidders, the personality and climate of Uptown Village is a direct result of local ownership and indy industriousness. According to the Vancouver Business Journal, a whopping 50 percent of Uptown entrepreneurs live within walking distance of their businesses. It's definitely a DIY community, except that 'Uptownites' (that's right, we've just coined the phrase) don't limit their craftiness to scrapbooking or stitchcraft (although both fads are duly represented).

But enough boosterism already.

While the downtown core has its fair share of locally owned, community-oriented businesses - Newsies, Tommy O's, Dolce Gelato, and 1220 Main, just to name a few - much of Vancouver's hope for the future resides in historic Uptown Village.

Beginning at the south end of the neighborhood, we've compiled a list of must-see, noteworthy spots - all of which can be visited without re-parking your car.

15th Street Pub: The 15th Street Pub is slowly becoming, if it hasn't already become, the music venue of choice for aspiring bands and musical acts in Vancouver. It's also one of the only venues anywhere in town with live music all week long. It features themed evenings (Karaoke Mondays, 2 Taco 2 Pabst $2 Tuesdays, Open Mic Night, etc.). The sprawling multi-room setup allows patrons to take their pick of pool, live music, or dimly lit ambience. 109 W. 15th St., 699-0828.

Boomba Toomba: A relative newcomer, Boomba Toomba is nonetheless a model Uptown establishment. Winner of The Columbian's Best of Clark County Award for "Best Place to Outfit Kids," this tiny new boutique is dedicated to providing families with affordable, sustainable, and fashionable children's attire and accoutrements. Owner Mishalla DeGagne exemplifies the Uptown spirit: she's young, earnest, and gutsy as hell. Take your littl'uns on a field (shopping) trip that you can feel good about - no buyer's remorse here. And don't forget to say hi to newborn Margaux! 1705 Broadway, 607-4552.

Gala Gowns: Another newcomer, Vikki Nabors' dress shop Gala Gowns opened its doors in January. And it already feels like a perfect fit (pardon the pun) for the neighborhood. Nabors sells new and "lightly loved" gowns for any occasion. The price point is low, the quality high, and Nabors' eye for quality garb is sure to establish her as the go-to spot for the prom-bound, soon-to-be-wed, and drag queen on the hunt. 1703 Broadway, 750-6700.

J. Michael Salon: Home to some of Uptown's most attractive homo sapiens, Jeff Stockton's high-end salon is Zen chic from the dark wood floor to the exposed beam ceiling. The stylists practice the most modern cut, coloring and styling techniques, and if their own 'dos are any indication, they certainly know their stuff. The atmosphere is minimalist enough that certain psychic benefits are sure to be gleaned from even the briefest visit - I wonder if they charge for lobby loitering? 1700 Broadway, 993-1177.

Fit Sisters: Laura Bullock opened Fit Sisters in September 2006, and her circuit training facility quickly became the local answer to Curves - or rather, the local and ten-times-hipper answer to Curves! Not only is Fit Sisters a place where women can go and get their 30 minutes of circuit training in a friendly and comfortable environment, but it's also a cardio gallery, book and supper club and jewelry shop. The formula is as follows: one part health club, one part boutique and one very large part Uptown. 1715 Broadway, 750-9090.

Unraveled Yarns: Warning - if you wish to remain ensconced in your sleepy, suburban cocoon for long, steer clear of Lisa Ghormley's unassuming yarn shop. What appears on the outside to be a quaint factory devoted to all things knitting is actually a sort of salon/hotbed for community activists. No doubt City Hall fears "Ghormley's Army" more than all other centers for civic involvement combined. And well they should. Kidding aside, Unraveled is to Uptown as Uptown is to greater Vancouver - its veritable beating heart. (Oh, yeah, and they have plenty of yarn, too.) 207 E. McLoughlin, 993-5835.

Provecho: When Sally Kostman and Miguel (Enrique) Mendez finally made the jump from the Vancouver Farmer's Market to Uptown, it felt like a miraculous answer to our most heartfelt prayers. For locals, Provecho was the emancipation that freed us from Muchas Gracias at last, but it would be unfair to allow our praise to stop short at that. The ingredients are fresh, the food is delicious, and the owners and staff are truly part of the Uptown family. 1801 Main St., 694-1028.

Moe's Barbershop: One thing old Puddletown definitely had over Vancouver until recently was the profusion of walk-in, rock and roll barbershops that flourish there. Luckily, Carrie Winters and crew came to the rescue in 2004, filling a void and bringing affordable whacks in hipster digs to Vancouver's huddled masses. Naturally, they offer a full complement of cuts, coloring and other services, but the essential commodity on hand is opportunity: the opportunity to get a beard trim without confronting a portrait of John Wayne or Ronald Reagan, the opportunity to get buzzed by someone whose idea of style is closer to Johnny Depp than Pat Buchanan. Thanks to the good people at Moe's, the opportunity is yours. 1904 Main St., 693-8048.

La Bottega: Lisa and Peter Dougherty, long time residents of Uptown Village, opened La Bottega restaurant in October of 2006. Dougherty has been in the restaurant industry for over 20 years, and felt it was time to bring his expertise to bear on Uptown Village. It's definitely a local favorite (I eat there at least three times a week). The wine selection, fresh soups and deli options complement the fine dining experience offered on the dinner menu. In his 2007 review, vitriolic Voice critic Steven Walling wrote, "I wouldn't shy away from making La Bottega my go-to spot for Italian on Vancouver's west side." 1905 Main St., 571-5010.

Mon Ami: In 2006 Claire Ghormley and Juliana Viveralli singlehandedly - all right, doublehandedly - elevated Uptown's coffee culture to new heights. Ostensibly a crperie, Mon Ami is also far and away Uptown's best cafe. And the crepes ain't too shabby, either. Menu options include sweet and savory crepes, soup, pastries, smoothies and a modest selection of micro-brewed beers and wine. The only drawback to the cafe's appeal, ironically, is its popularity - the place is jammed much of the time. Not sure what the girls could do about this, however. At this point, they'd probably fill the Rose Garden if they were granted the space. 1906 Main St., 750-5693.

Mint Tea: Attempting to pay for my morning coffee the other day, I discovered that Abdul Akdi - co-owner of Mint Tea Imports - had slipped ahead of me and paid for my joe. What I'm trying to say is that I've been bribed. Just kidding...sort of. In fact, Akdi and his wife, Jenna Eckert, are two of the friendliest people around, and it would be difficult indeed to write a bad word about them. Thankfully, the selection of Moroccan imports and gifts at Mint Tea exhibits the couple's eye for quality and their diverse, eclectic taste to such a degree that you needn't take my word for it when I tell you that their shop rocks - all you have to do is pop in and see for yourself. 2306 Main St., 699-4991.

Mermaid Music (formerly Recycled Sounds): Brian Wassman just might be the seed that started it all. Wassman opened Recycled Sounds in 1992, back when Uptown Village was antique-store central and little else. Last year, Wassman changed the name of his shop to Mermaid Music in honor of his daughter, whose red hair and greenish eyes hint at her ancesteral connection to the Merpeople. A place to buy, sell or trade new and used CDs, records, and movies (and practically anything else, as a matter of fact), MM is an Uptown original. 2312 Main St., 750-7348.

Vancouver Pizza Company: VPC has been slinging pie for over 15 years now, and has long since emerged as an absolute staple in the diets of many Uptownites and Vancouverites alike. With various pies named after Renaissance artists, the menu features everything from pesto-based sauces and artichoke hearts with feta to typical meat lover's combinations. If you know it, you love it. If you don't, then you seriously need to get out more. 2219 Main St., 750-1176.

The Urban Eccentric: The Urban E was one of the first businesses to kick-start the rebirth of Uptown Village back in the day. Original owner Dawn Waldal introduced trendy consignment to sleepy Main Street in 1997, and in 2003, current owner Chris Jochum bought the shop, infusing a fresh style and enthusiasm to the business that has served her - and by extension, the clotheshorses among us - very well. Anyone who's seen Jochum's funky storefront displays will attest to her fun and frivolous approach to fashion. For years Vancouver's "vintage" shoppers were limited to Value Village or Goodwill (hardly harbingers of true vintage fashion) or a trip into Portland for "haughty couture" hardly worth the trip, but the Urban E changed everything by stocking its racks selectively and with a real eye for fashion - costume or real - that's unmatched in Vancouver. It's almost a mathematical impossibility that you'll walk through its doors and not find something you like. In fact, after several years I'd say the majority of my wardrobe (shirts, at least) is from the Urban E. Seriously. 2411 Main St., 694-2934.

Petals: The sight of Petals owner Joel Padley - he's a florist, remember - leaning against the brick wall outside of his shop in cowboy boots, jeans with holes in the knees, smoking pensively through fingerless gloves and wearing a perpetual five o'clock shadow may well yet become the iconic logo Uptown Village so desperately needs. Petals opened in 1999, and has been keeping us on good terms with our girlfriends ever since. Padley's mantra: "Name your price, and we'll customize your order" is no joke. Whether you're counting out pocket change or planning a wedding, Padley is the man with the plan. 2413 Main St., 750-4719.

To Boot: Along with everything listed above, Uptown is home to the Northwest's widest selection of sodas (Moxies), two massage schools, an old school diner (Paul's), a dog wash, a pole-dancing studio (that's right!), a slew of local bars (the Tip Top Too, for instance, was famously the second tavern in the state of Washington issued a liquor license after prohibition ended), a wine storage facility, yet another dance studio (no pole dancing here, alas), a number of wellness clinics, a couple of travel agencies, some antique shops, boutiques, Arnold Map Service, an independent bookstore (Cover to Cover Books - if they don't have it, they'll track it down!), etc. The list, if not endless, is far too long to faithfully reproduce here. And it all exists within in a 4x10-block radius. Maybe Uptown isn't on the verge at all...maybe it has already arrived!