To truly connect with Oregon, you have to go beyond the famous food trucks and the crowded downtown squares. Most visitors only see the surface of this creative hub.
They see the typical tourist landmarks and the busy city festivals. But the city’s real soul is tucked away in its workshops and quiet side streets.
It lives in the spaces where tradition meets innovation. I wanted to find the people who are quietly stitching the city’s future together.
This is exactly what I found while looking for local artisans in Portland. I discovered a world of craftsmanship that is both deeply personal and globally inspired.
Finding the Heart of Northeast Broadway
I always search for the heartbeat of a city. Honestly, that is the whole reason I started this series in the first place. I’ve always felt that you haven’t really visited a place until you’ve fully immersed yourself in it.
To me, travel isn’t just about ticking boxes or taking photos. It is about making sure I leave a destination a little bit better than I found it.
That might mean choosing a small family boutique over a big chain. Or it might mean spending an extra hour just listening to someone’s story.
I believe that shopping and buying local isn’t just a choice. It is a way to respect the community that welcomes us.
When you take the time to hear those personal histories, the whole map changes. You stop seeing buildings and start seeing lives. It is the only way to find the real soul of a place and feel its human pulse.
In Portland, I found that pulse at Barnes and Morgan. It is a space that is hard to put into a box. At first, you think you’ve just found a great spot for a brew.
But then you look closer and see the beautiful fabrics and the hum of a workshop in the back. It is this seamless blend of worldly tea and bespoke tailoring that makes it such a find. It is a hidden gem for anyone who loves meeting local artisans in Portland.
If you want to see how I fitted these artisan stops into my wider trip, head over to my post on the top things to do in Oregon. It covers the best of the city and the wild nature beyond.
The Man Behind the Craft
This is where I met Amir Morgan. He greets every guest with a genuine, warm smile. Amir is someone who wears many hats. He is a tea expert, a textile artist, and a clothing designer all at once.
Before opening this space, he spent years working as a designer for Nike. Their massive global headquarters is located just outside the city in Beaverton. It is a huge hub for innovation. Working in that fast-paced environment clearly shaped his eye for detail.
His career there opened up the ‘bug of travel’ for him. He spent time in places like Sri Lanka and Taiwan. It was during these trips that he discovered how tea can bring people together.
He also saw how it can be used as medicine. He wanted to bring that feeling of connection back to Portland.
A Connection Across Continents
As I listened to Amir, I felt a familiar tug at my heart. I grew up in a family of tailors myself. My dad was a tailor who owned his own factory in Birmingham. He spent his days making high-quality outerwear.
I have vivid memories of going in to help him on weekends since I was a child. I used to spend hours working on piercing studs onto coats. Because of this, I grew up with a deep understanding of fabrics and the weight of a well-made garment.
Amir’s work is deeply rooted in this same kind of family history. Even his brand name is a beautiful tribute to his parents. ‘Barnes’ honours his mother, who used to hand-sew all her children’s clothes. ‘Morgan’ celebrates his father’s side of the family.
The history in the room is palpable. Amir’s grandmother was a dedicated seamstress. He even had a great-uncle who was a tailor with his own label, ‘Made by Jackson’.
This legacy of craftsmanship is still a family affair today. Amir’s sister actually works as the head pattern maker for the brand. It is a story of heritage that defines the best local artisans in Portland.
The Art of the Slow Brew
Amir does things differently than your average cafe. Instead of handing over a menu, he starts a conversation. He asked me questions to find my specific taste. The shop feels like a private home.
In many cultures, offering tea is a symbolic invitation to stay a while. This felt so familiar to me. Because of my Indian heritage, I know exactly what a cup of tea represents. In my culture, tea is the ultimate gesture of hospitality and warmth.
It is a bond that runs through my roots. In fact, in my other life as a sangeet singer, I even wrote a song about it. My Punjabi folk song explores just how important tea is in Indian culture. Sitting there with Amir, I felt that same sense of belonging. It didn’t matter that we were thousands of miles from home. The ritual was exactly the same.
Amir’s approach to tea is a lesson in patience. He grew up in North Carolina, where sweet tea is everywhere. But his father also used tea as medicine. He made pots of ginger and ginseng to treat colds. It was fascinating to watch him unearth bags of tea leaves and dried bouquets.
As I sat at the counter, the steam rose from a complex and soothing brew. For any traveller, this kind of pause is vital. It allows you to process everything you have seen. These quiet moments are why I love seeking out the most authentic artisans in Portland.
Where Tea Meets Textile
The most fascinating part of the shop sits behind a curtain. You can watch Amir’s designs come to life while you sip. Seeing the sewing machines and fabrics makes you realise the effort behind the craft.
Amir began imagining his signature ‘bespoke suit’ back in 2008. It is a brilliant mashup of a traditional suit and one-piece overalls. These ‘wearable art pieces’ are stunning in person.
He wanted a space that felt inherently welcoming. He told me that galleries can sometimes feel a bit exclusive. That is why he opened this cafe instead. It is a ‘third place’ where people talk over a warm drink and explore fashion at their own pace.
Stitching Together a Community
The shop’s mantra is written for all to see. ‘Welcome to our home. Stay a while. Leave with a story worth sharing.’
The vision is clear in every corner. Each piece of clothing invites the wearer to tell their own story. Amir believes that dressing well is an everyday expression of confidence.
He accommodates everyone from size extra-small to 4-XL. Clothing is an easy way to story-tell without saying anything. He fosters cultural connections through his work. He recognises that common threads unite us all. This philosophy is common among the artistic community here.
Exploring the Neighbourhood
Northeast Portland is full of character. After visiting Amir, I suggest a walk down Broadway. You will find independent cinemas and vintage bookshops.
The area is full of the best coffee and interesting street art. It feels more lived-in and authentic than the main tourist zones.
If you are planning a trip, check out my ultimate itinerary for first-time visitors. It covers all the best spots I visited across the state.
A Necessary Pause
Portland can be high-energy. The Rose Festival is vibrant and the Columbia River Gorge is epic. But places like Barnes and Morgan offer a chance to breathe.
This shop is a true sanctuary. It is where tea meets textile and where you find the soul of the city. For me, connecting with the local community is the only way to truly see the destination. This visit was just the start of my journey meeting artisans in Portland. I cannot wait to share more of their stories with you soon.
My trip to Oregon taught me many things. I learned about the power of nature. But mostly, I learned about the people.
The most memorable experiences come from these personal encounters. I met an artisan who welcomed me into his home. He spent years renovating the space himself.
Finding these human connections is always my priority. Add Northeast Broadway to your plans. Visit Amir. Taste the tea. Explore the workshop. Your journey will be richer for it. You will leave with a story worth sharing.
| My Oregon Picks Where to Stay: Woodlark Hotel Portland Highlights: Pittock Mansion, Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour and Willamette Valley Wine Tour Flights to Portland: Skyscanner eSIM: Holafly Travel Insurance: SafetyWing |
