PORTLAND, Ore. — A family business that started back in 1933 in Oaxaca, Mexico, is getting a pop-up shop at Portland International Airport's new terminal.
In just a few short months, Orox Leather Co., is opening a new location inside PDX.
“We have been a longstanding brand here in Portland," said Martin Martinez, the co-founder of Orox Leather Co. "We started from working in a garage, now to having two stores here in Portland, and I think it's just natural that we want to be in a better flow, better location for our business — and there’s nothing than being at the gates of Portland."
They’re joining 20 other businesses in the new terminal, set to open in May 2024.
PDX said these leases will last about 18 months, which is a much shorter and less expensive commitment than the 10-year leases that permanent businesses have.
After that time passes, a new set of small, diverse businesses will have a chance.
“Supporting both Latinos making leather goods and minorities making goods here in in Portland — as well as goods that are from our hometown made by Mexican cooperates down in Oaxaca or Chiappas, people that we cherish — we want to tell stories of support tell stories of hard work and really good craft," Martinez said.
The Port of Portland said each year $115,000,000 is spent on food and retail inside PDX — a great opportunity for small businesses still recovering from the pandemic.
“We are still weathering the storm; it's still not over. There are a lot of things the city needs to do to recover fully. But it starts with Portland showing up and shopping small and local," said Marinez.