Shop at Portland’s The Monkey & the Rat
for Eco Friendly Treasures If you’re in Portland, Oregon, you might have heard the buzz about The Monkey & the Rat, the store with the unusual name that offers a seemingly endless choice of quality Thai and East Asian goods for the home and personal enjoyment.
The original Old Town location, opened six years ago between the Saturday Market and the Chinese Classical Garden, has become a destination retailer and a hotspot during Portland's monthly First Thursday events. In 2006 a second location was opened in the Alberta Arts District. Here, people of all ages enjoy international music and art every month at the street's Last Thursday celebrations.  The owner, Christopher Yarrow, travels extensively every year to choose each item for his stores. He looks for sustainable, fairly traded items, and the result is an artful, often one-of-a-kind mix of products. Some of the items are rare and irreplaceable, while most offerings are affordable and perfect for everyday use. "We want to make sure every customer finds something unique and wonderful, or simply to have a mini-vacation when they visit."
The Monkey & the Rat is also the frequent host of community events, many of which raise funds for local non-profit organizations. And, every once in awhile, Christopher's father Peter (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) drops by and launches a jam session. Peter's little-known talent is his ability to choose the perfect handmade earring or necklace for a happy customer. www.monkeyandrat.com Edited by Ellen Schofield | 