Swan Mart

Swan Mart? More like ol’ super-​expensive-​but-​reliable!
You’re going to pay for convenience at this place, but it couldn’t be more convenient if you need some emergency Ben & Jerry’s or if you needed to make a left turn on Barbur northbound.
I’ve also met some real interesting folk in this place. I’ll save the stories for another time. You’ll meet your own people, don’t worry.

During the snow storms of 2014, the owner of Swan Mart let my mom walk our elderly dog through the store instead of making him wait outside in the freezing cold weather.
He is one of the most friendly corner store owners I have ever encountered. Upon every visit to this store, I am reminded why I keep going back. Swan Mart is one of the better corner stores I’ve been to.

The place near my office where I buy milk for breakfast, ice cream after lunch, and wine when I forget a present. Not the cheapest place around, but the closest, and cheap enough. Owners are always friendly.

FRIENDLY staff and owner!
Great beer selection.
Good prices.
They would be five stars if open later.

The owners of this place are literally some of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. They greet every patron that comes in, and thank you when you purchase anything. If you have a question or need directions, they will do their best to help you. Also, they always have cold drinks, and good candy. When I lived in Portland, walking to Swan Mart on a lazy Summer afternoon was always a great pick-​me-​up.

The first time I ever walked into swan mart, I received a greeting that instantly trumped every other corner store, hands down.
I walk in (most likely with a hangover) and am greeted by a smiling, waving face of a young Korean man saying «HI!, HELLO!!» I looked back at him and as all the Chicagoan in me thought «wtf is this guy so happy about, I mean really — I walked into a bodega, no BFD!»
However, that smile and greeting was infectious. Though there is about a dollar upcharge on damn near everything, I have been a loyal swan mart-​ee since. You can’t beat having a down day and having such a reliable source of happiness and plentiful cigarette, beer, do-​rags and random essentials.
Its been over a year now that I keep coming back. And since, the wonderful man who worked there has finished school and gone back to Korea.
But everytime I come in, I always ask the owners, his aunt and uncle, how he is doing. Despite the fact that they never remember me and I get the strange sense they are creeped out that I ask about their nephew. But like Tony Montana, «das okay». I will still be a happy patron because they have the warmest welcome in one of the least expected places.

Lair Hill is a great location to live, yet the area is definitely missing that friendly Portland neighborhood feel — due in part to a lack of local shops and restaurants located nearby. As far as neighborhood convenience stores go, this place can be pretty standard. However, the family that owns it is so darn friendly it keeps me coming back. Walking in it is not uncommon to be greeted a minimum of three times. When I first moved into the area and would make my frequent visits for late night beer or wine runs, I imagined they were silently judging me and my purchases. Now I realize they are just interested in getting to know their customers and probably the nicest people on Barbur Blvd. you will ever encounter.
The beer and wine selection is pretty extensive for a small store; although the prices are slightly higher than your average 7 – 11 or Plaid Pantry. A few more reasons I continue to stop at Swan Mart instead of another corner market:
1. I got a free corkscrew after they noticed I tend to purchase a lot of wine. And not some cheap plastic corkscrew either — this was decent quality.
2. While cooking late one Friday night I ran up to the mart for an onion as I didn’t feel like getting in the car to drive to a grocery store. I walked home with two free onions in my backpack.
3. If I am all dressed up for work or a night on the town, I get a friendly compliment on how nice I look.
What other place can you get frivolous freebies and enhanced self-​esteem? Swan Mart it is.