Tender Loving Empire

«Can I have one of everything??» –Me, every time I enter stores like TLE.
This store is full of bits & bobs that make me wanna celebrate every/​any occasion (greeting cards galore) and finally get around to starting a gallery wall in my apartment (so much cute wall art!) I resisted temptation to buy ALL the things, and left with a very cute print that reads, «Home is where the wifi connects automatically» for my new apartment. :-)
This is a great spot to stop by if you’re looking for quirky, fun, and/​or quintessentially Portland-​y souvenirs. Things here are on the pricey side, but hey, no sales tax in Oregon so there’s that.

I always get lost in this store. It’s full of those quirky, delightful pieces of art and adorable objects that make a house feel like home. I first discovered it via a gift-​card from a friend and I’ve never looked back.
One of my favorite art pieces I own is their «I will survive» succulent print. It’s perfect, since I am a plant killer. It’s the one plant I can’t kill.
Everyone that works who is so friendly and laidback. I love ducking in on a rainy day just to browse and hopefully find a new treasure. Plus, the window displays are always so dreamy. I mean, just look at those flowers. If you want a small, arty shop full of Portland quirkiness, this is the place.

They have such a cute space here and a great amount of local music. I fell in love with The Domestics album they had out for listening and I bought it in an instant. This place has a sweet vibe and I would fersure come back!

I love you Jack! Ill never (actually) let go! This place is giving me all the good feels in my heart parts. Record label plus arts collective repping local musicians, artists, designs and crafters. Like a next level Etsy shop on all things PDX. Be sure to check out their annual Friends of Friends album. It is how I find many new favourite bands. Yes, with a «u». I am Canadian.

Super cute store selling all types of knick knacky local items and lots of local prints of Oregon. You really don’t NEED anything in the store but you WANT it all! Reasonably priced, it’s a great place to buy a souvenir or a present for a friend. I will happily be back to ‘browse’.

It’s a cool unique boutique, and having their own record label really makes them stand out!
Unfortunately the headphone jack on their listening station was busted when I visited in December (only one ear worked– I even tried my own earbuds), so I didn’t check out much of their local recordings.

super cute place for cute Portland-​based/​themed gifts.

I’ll take one of those, that, oh and don’t forget that! Well shit… just wrap this whole joint up I’ll take it.
Tendering Loving Empire is the all encompassing answer to «Oh Crap, what should I get _​_​_​_​_​» This could be a great way to weed out friends. If you can’t find something you’re loved one would cherish here… should they really be that beloved? Just sayin.
Tender Loving Empire is just full of adorable knick knacks, a whole local music section, beautiful jewelry, art, cards. It’s just busting at the seams with everything you didn’t know that you needed, but suddenly can’t live without. I resisted a beautifully crafted ring last time I was in, but it’s haunting my subconscious. I can hear it’s siren song pulling me back. I think this is a battle I might loose.
Go! Find something new to love for your home, your body, your eardrums, your mouth, just go. You deserve it because you’re a wonderful human being.

Dear TLE, you have successfully defeated my girlfriend into offering everything that she didn’t think she’d need, but was reminded based the overwhelmingly cuteness nature of your merchandise. Let us be perfectly honest, your trinkets are expensive, provided very little constructive usefulness, but even I was succumbing to the $ 25 cat donuts, the $ 25 megaman tie, and the $ 60 self-​cranking sailboat box. I don’t know how you managed to capitalize on the tiny part of us that loves and craves cute trinkets, but sir/​madam, you need to stop taking money from my girlfriend, who spent way too much money at your shop, and feels only slightly bad.
To be honest, I think there are so many things in this shop that can appeal to every customer, but the prices are just too expensive for any poor student like me to afford.

If you are looking to send a or keep for yourself a gift, memento, talisman, or symbol of that which is Portland then this is the place. Incredibly friendly and informative staff, creative, locally-​made goods and a continually updated stock of vinyl in the back created from, of course, the talent of local and nearby bands makes this a key stop for all locals; whether in body or spirit.

A very cool store in a pretty dang cool little pocket of SE Portland, Tender Loving Empire should really be on anybody’s list of places to stop for local holiday shopping. You could scratch quite a few people off your list in just one visit!
The merchandise is a well-​curated collection of locally-​made goods ranging from stationary to jewelry to stuffed animals. Price points seemed pretty reasonable, and everything is displayed nicely. The aesthetic of the store is pretty minimalist and allows the goods for sale to be the focus. Smart.
So, they’re also a record label. I hadn’t heard of any of the bands actually on their label (hey, I’m brand new to town, so cut me some slack!), but they did also have an extensive local section. Here’s where things get funny: prominently displayed, they had at least an album from at least one band that’s decidedly not local (Other Lives, hailing from Oklahoma). I mean, it’s still a great album, and I picked it up, but doing some research to find a local connection, nothing came up. Not a huge deal, but just seems odd.
I dig this store, and I’ll definitely be back. Maybe on my next visit they can help me solve that one minor mystery.

The newest location of Tender Loving Empire opened just before Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping rush. What a fantastic new gift shop in the busy Hawthorne shopping district!
With a wonderful selection of local goods, this boutique has something for everyone on your list. Mom, the best friend’s new baby, your prizes kitten? You can find a clever little gift for each of them for a nominal fee. Most gift stores these days average $ 20+ but there are great items for $ 15 and under that I will be returning for in short order.
My favorite part? Excellent customer service, even on a really busy Small Business Saturday, and their own beats playing on the shop speakers. That’s right, they have a local record label featuring quality performers.
Please remember to keep it local this holiday season and throughout the year. This new shop in my ‘hood will be my new go-​to, alongside my trusty favorite Presents of Mind.