Establishing the Central East Side as Portland's Design District
For over a quarter century, Cargo has been a beloved spot for design aficionados in Portland. The dynamic venue situated on Yamhill's initial block not only showcases distinctive imported products but also presents an exquisitely arranged ambiance that sparks creativity in its visitors.
For the last few years, Cargo has been collaborating with their neighboring businesses of the Central Eastside on an exciting new project. Their mission? To cement the Central Eastside into a thriving hub for design. Collaborating with partners like Miller Paint, City Liquidators, Classique Tile & Stone, Cielo Home, and Straightaway Cocktails, Cargo began by showcasing the potential of establishing a Design District at the Portland Home and Garden show. These booths introduce the public to the unique goods that can be found within the Central Eastside and inspire them to curate their own personal style.
Recognizing the shift from industrial to design in this part of town, Cargo is thrilled about their contribution.
The Central Eastside of Portland once stood as a hub for industrial manufacturing and distribution. However, over the years, artists, creatives, and design vendors have embraced the unique industrial architecture and found within it a base for a creative community.
Cargo's decision to move to the Central Eastside over a decade ago was a natural progression from their previous location in the Pearl district. They were drawn to the area's gritty architecture, captivating streetscapes, and the cohesive community of vendors and products within the district.
As such, "The Design District" emerged as the moniker for this kinetic area, officially signifying the evolution from industrial to design. Here, design extends beyond just home goods; it encompasses various local experiences. Take, for instance, the immersive arts installation Hopscotch, or the opportunity to explore the Willamette River on the decks of the Portland Spirit.
“Design encompasses the vibrant food and drink industry in the Central Eastside with more distilleries, breweries and one-of-a-kind restaurants than any other district, from food cart to fine dining, rooftop to courtyard the food experience is unparalleled” says Brigid Blackburn Cargo Co-Owner
What sets the Design District apart is the remarkable availability of materials for any home or commercial design project. From tiles to windows, doors to moldings, and stairwells to locally manufactured paint made here in the Pacific Northwest, everything you need to see a vision through can be found here.
Cargo, a renowned company that has been in business for 25 years, recently celebrated a significant milestone. As part of their anniversary celebration, they decided to expand their offerings beyond their usual services.
Cargo has opened its space to over a dozen vendors, creating a collective known as the Cargo Emporium. This expansion aligns perfectly with the vision of the design district. With the Emporium, Cargo promises to offer visitors a unique and exciting shopping experience, with a variety of vendors offering diverse and customizable products. From textiles and accessories to home decor and furniture, visitors will find an array of options to choose from. The addition of the Cargo Emporium certainly raises the bar for retail shopping in the area.
“All of the vendors within the Cargo Emporium help us to amplify the design district identity and offer the public more choices”
Cielo Home offers European home goods, custom upholstery and design services that are one of a kind.
Woonwinkle Portland's colorful home furnishing & gift shop has joined Cargo with a satellite location, and is now offering design services.
Lisa Congdon, a local artist and illustrator, has her storefront in Cargo. You can find her unique patterns printed on a myriad of home goods.
Appetite, long known for their incredible variety of houseplants and home accessories, and upcycled uplostry line, now also offers home staging services with a bright modern esthetic.
Our newest vendor, Kolkka Furniture, is a metal-framed furniture company based in Napa, California. Kolkka produces custom made tables in virtually any size, and offers a myriad of surface choices & metal finishes. These beautifully crafted pieces can be further customized, as seen in their tabletop collaboration with Cargo.
“The Cargo Emporium now offers the ability to connect our customers with vendors who can help create one-of-a-kind products from our textile collection from pillowcases to drapery to upholstery references, bringing a unique addition to any home.”
By: Joshua Lee Vineyard