By David Columbus, August 21, 2020
By David Columbus, August 21, 2020
I’ve got a secret for you. Roseway.
Ok ok, if you’re already in Roseway you know what a gem of a neighborhood you have – but for the uninitiated, take it from me. Roseway is super family friendly, has great restaurants and is full of some amazing old-school Portland charms.
First there’s the Roseway Theater, my favorite independent cinema in Portland and go-to midnight showing spot. The building was originally built in 1924 and has been in continuous operation since 1935. There’s only one screen, the seats are comfy, the tickets are reasonably priced, and popcorn won’t bankrupt you. On top of all that the building itself is a beautifully restored Art Deco dream.
Then there’s Fairley’s Pharmacy. A true relic. Fairley’s has been independently owned since 1913. It is still a working modern pharmacy, but you should also stop by just to see the trappings of its apothecary history. That is not all, however. Fairley’s is also one of Oregon’s last working soda fountain counters. Soda fountains used to be common in apothecaries where druggists would blend chilled, carbonated soda water with an assortment of syrups. History you can sip!
I love spending time in Roseway and I’m excited to see what crops up in the neighborhood next.
While we wait for theaters to open again, I recommend grabbing a drink from Fairley’s and taking a stroll up the Roseway Parkway on 72nd. It’s a beautiful stretch of green that runs straight through the heart of the neighborhood. The parkway has been the home of community tree-planting projects, and neighborhood hangouts for years. Coming up, the street around the parkway is going to get the Greenway treatment – sharrow markings, speed bumps, signage, and new crossing treatments – making it even more of a haven for cyclists and pedestrians.