With the advancement of technology, running errands has significantly changed. For many, instead of running errands, it is now more like completing errands. Grocery stores will deliver your food to your front door, and miscellaneous items can be bought and shipped to your home within a day on Amazon. My wife placed an order online through Target earlier this week, and the package showed up less than 2 hours later. This is all great stuff. Juggling work and family life is busy, and the last thing we want to do is sit in rush-hour traffic to pick up toothpaste and dish soap. The convenience factor in placing these orders on our phones and not worrying about strategizing how to get to the store is a fantastic benefit. However, it is still nice to get out and do some of our shopping in person. While it seems like malls across the country are struggling to stay open, many shopping centers in Oregon seem to be thriving. One of these centers is the outdoor mall, Bridgeport Village, located right on the borders of Tigard and Tualatin.
Bridgeport Village opened in May 2005, and for the last 20 years has been a great place for entertainment experiences and shopping. The purpose of Bridgeport is to be a lifestyle center, offering restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, and a perfect place to walk around. As the seasons change, Bridgeport adapts its themes accordingly. For example, during the holiday season, special lights and snow-themed décor grace the premises. A subtle Santa workshop opens, and you can take pictures with your kids. It is low-key and not nearly as stressful as some other options in the area. When my family goes to Bridgeport Village, one of the things that we like to do first is grab a coffee from Peet’s. They have revamped their menu, and it is very impressive. I know that a native Portlander promoting a national chain like Peet’s might be seen as a faux pas, but their new drink called “The Derby,” for example, is worth its hype. This cup of coffee adds a non-alcoholic bourbon flavor and light and foamy cream on top. It’s as if a thick cloud is floating above the espresso.
There are also some worthwhile food options at Bridgeport Village as well. One of the spots there is Sinju, a delicious Japanese restaurant. Their menu is extensive, and honestly, everything on it is mouthwatering. The sushi is fresh and innovative, and the restaurant’s Summer Roll utilizes ingredients such as tuna, mango, and a secret cream sauce. Other food options include their Sinju Steak, marinated in a ginger sauce, and a traditional Chicken Teriyaki. Bridgeport Village also has food cart-style pods, and one of their newer ones is Hen House PDX. This food option serves up some amazingly fresh chicken tenders and French fries. Another cool thing about this place is its selection of unique sauces, such as its Sweet Pepper Mayo and Spicy Buffalo Sauce. There are many other food options located at Bridgeport Village worth checking out. New spots also keep popping up here as well. In fact, Salt & Straw will be opening a new storefront there within the next couple of months.
For shopping options, Bridgeport Village has you covered. Crate & Barrel is a massive, two-story home décor shop. If your little one wants to shake up his or her bedroom, Crate & Barrell will provide all of the options to make it happen. But really, they have products and designs for all aspects of your home. Even if you’re looking for some small accent pieces to add to your living space, this retailer will have them. The Container Store is also a really cool place. The store is sectioned off based on different areas for the home. They have shopping areas for the kitchen, closet, office, and more. Right now, they are offering 20% off their Spring Organization products. I also want to give anyone heads up who has older kids in college that every Summer, they have their major “Dorm Room Sale.” Everything imaginable, from practical to aesthetic purposes only, will be available for college students.
For those with babies and young children, Le D Bug Boutique is one of my favorite clothing stores for kids. My wife and I love to shop there for our little one. The clothing is stylish, practical, and sophisticated. If you want to go on a shopping spree for them, I suggest starting there. There are many other worthwhile stores located at Bridgeport Village. There are so many, in fact, that I wouldn’t be able to mention all of them here possibly. Other stores that highlight how vibrant this place is include the trendy soap store Lush and the nature-filled plant store Dennis’ 7 Dees. There is also the movie theatre Regal Bridgeport Village for all the moviegoers out there. Bridgeport Village is a great location to take the family to because there is something there for everyone. Its convenient location and easy parking make for a fun outing. Plus, a little bit of shopping that doesn’t involve our phones can be a good thing every now and again.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.