PORTLAND, Ore. — If you've ever been inside the Lloyd Center mall, you know the smell instantly: rich, sweet caramel corn.
Joe Brown's has been making it since 1932. They were one of the original tenants at the Lloyd Center. Now they're opening a second location in a historic area of Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard where Geneva's Shear Perfection Barber & Beauty Salon stood for thirty years.
Paul Knauls Junior says the barbershop was a cornerstone in Portland's Black community. His father, Paul Knauls Senior, and stepmom, Geneva, started the business.
"Barber and beauty salons are somewhere where we go as a community and are unapologetically ourselves," said Knauls Junior.
Two years ago, amid COVID-19 concerns, he made the decision to close the salon.
"It was just time, there comes a time when you have to move on," said Knauls Jr.
He had three specifics items within his criteria when it came to finding the right tenant to take over the space, including community, opportunity and someone tied to the area.
That's why he tapped David Ferguson with the opportunity. Ferguson owns Joe Brown’s Carmel Corn at Lloyd Center.
It’s the last original store from the mall's grand opening in 1960.
"There’s no way you could come to the Lloyd Center without smelling the aroma of the caramel corn."
Now, Ferguson is bringing a piece of that history to Northeast MLK Jr. Boulevard.
"Getting the tap on the shoulder from the Knaul’s and actually being able to change this building around to fit my concepts has been great," said Ferguson.
A concept that includes a lounge and of course their signature sweet, crunchy treat.
"I get my popcorn at the mall and now it’s going to be right in the neighborhood, so I’m excited for that," said Erica Fahnbulleh, who lives in the area.
For Fahnbulleh, connecting the salon’s past history with the present feels like “shear perfection” in and of itself.
“I’m a hairstylist I used to work here a long time ago, my husband used to get his haircut here and it’s just been a really good establishment to the community for many years," said Fahnbulleh.
From one community fixture to another, it's history being honored in the King neighborhood and the future here is popping.
"Everything that a community means, mentorship took place in this building, yeah that’s what this spot means and that’s what it’s going to continue to be," said Knauls Jr.
The Joe Brown’s Carmel Corn on MLK is set to open on January 1. Popcorn fans, rest assured, the Lloyd Center location is staying put.