Looking for a taste of local talent?

Radish Underground

What do cigar boxes, wetsuits and certified wedgie-free underwear have in common? I haven’t thought of a clever answer yet, but one thing they share is that Celestial Sipes and Gina Johnson have hand- picked them for sale in their store, Radish Underground.

Dedicated to promoting small and independent designers, about 50 percent of their merchandise comes from Portland artists. The shop focuses on supporting fair-trade goods and carries clothing made mostly of organic materials such as soy and hemp.

The boutique has a very charming, fun vibe and holds unique pieces such as cigar box guitar amps, laptop cases made out of recycled wetsuits, and “Thundies,” which is underwear guaranteed “not to go up your bum.” They showcase a new designer every month and are currently featuring Varnish, a Portland-based line.

Every two months, a visual artist or jewelry designer is featured. Arielle Adkin currently has a show up called “Risk and Carnivorous Plants” that consists of beautiful oil and acrylic gel gloss works. So ladies, if you’re looking to do some local shopping, I suggest you stop by Radish Underground, just a 15-minute walk from campus.

414 SW 10th Ave.

Hours: Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.–6 p.m.

radishunderground.com

SaySay

On your way back from Southwest 10th Avenue, you should stop by SaySay. For the past six years, owner Sarah Young has focused on carrying small, independent designers that create fashion-forward pieces and making them available for a reasonable price.

About 20 percent of the clothing comes from Portland designers, and most of the jewelry is locally made. Young is currently carrying some great cowboy-inspired rain boots by Däv. I know I’ll definitely be going back to grab a pair before the torrential winter weather sets in. She also carries Skunkfunk, which is an eco-friendly line from Spain that focuses on producing sustainable clothing made out of materials such as soy, hemp, organic cotton, bamboo and polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. They make heavy and good-quality coats that will be sure to keep you nice and warm.

Another fun brand while preparing for winter is Portland-based Sock it to Me. You can get crazy socks covered with anything from bicycles to mustaches, which will be sure to cheer you up no matter how dreary the weather gets.

1010 SW Morrison St.

Hours: Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.–5 p.m.

saysayboutique.com

Tender Loving Empire

Guys, if your girlfriend drags you with her to do some shopping at Radish Underground, fear not—right next door is the place for you. Also a self-titled record company, Tender Loving Empire is the place to go to buy local music.

For the last three years, TLE has been featuring music by local artists, so if you ever attend a show by a local band and end up kicking yourself for not buying their CD, you will most likely be able to find it here. I talked to Andrew Sloan, an employee who has an obvious passion for the store. If you want to test out any of the music, just ask; Andrew or any of the other employees will play it on the stereo for you. TLE also carries fun graphic tees for guys and girls. All are locally designed, mostly by friends of the shop, and some by employees such as Andrew himself. And girls, if your boyfriend wanders off while you’re next door, make sure to stop by to pick him up and check out what TLE has to offer too.

412 SW 10th Ave.

Hours: Every day

11 a.m.–6 p.m.

tenderlovingempire.com

Whether you’re looking for something to do, or just want to soak up some local culture, take a walk downtown and check out these unique boutiques.