Hippo Hardware Portland Or

25 Days: Number Five: Portland and the HIPPO

Todd, an older gentleman whom I decided was probably not from Minnesota, sent me an email suggesting several places to visit: Kelly Point Park, Union Station, The Montage, and Hippo Hardware.  I sent him an email in return, narrowing the options to two; Union Station and Hippo Hardware, and he chose Hippo, which was great news, as that was my first choice.  I told him in the email that I don't do the phone thing, but neglected to tell him that it was for safety's sake, as I do not want to inadvertently give a person I don't know my phone number.  He assumed that I just didn't have a phone, and informed me that telephones had been around for about one hundred years. I think most people might have been slightly offended by this sarcastic observation.  As for me, it was difficult to know whether I should be offended or impressed, but quickly settled on the latter after considering the extensive use I make of my own sarcastic wit, and came to the conclusion that I might actually learn a thing or two from ol' Todd. Hippo Hardware opened in 1976 and has been a Portland institution ever since.  Other stores have arrived on the Portland scene since this time, which have inevitably grown into places where you will find more reproductions of old stuff than actual old stuff, but Hippo has remained true blue, carrying a ginormous array of older light fixtures, plumbing supplies, tubs, toilets, doors, door knockers, handles, knobs, hippopotami, and just about anything else you might or might not need for your house or apartment.  The other truly magnificent thing about Hippo Hardware is that it is a hardware store.   I really miss local hardware stores.  They used to be my favorite places to go when I was little, back before we had internets and the Google.

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