Sellwood seems like a quiet, pleasant neighborhood, but in 2011 it was the scene of an epic battle. In April 2011 we told you about Naomi and Neal Montacre, owners of Naomi’s Organic Farm Supply, who were facing off against Les Schwab Tires to keep their organic farm supply store in a location where Les wanted to build another tire shop. The little guys put up a valiant struggle, but it wasn’t enough and Les is building a new shop there right now. The battle was lost but Naomi’s survived to fight another day. This month we’ll tell you what happened 
since Naomi and Neal moved, and how you can catch up with them now…
“There weren’t really any hard feelings because of the move” said Naomi. “We were disappointed, but we never doubted we were going to relocate and rebuild.” In fact, Naomi had very kind words about the people who did the demolition of the old store. “They were really great people, and really friendly. After the demolition they cut a heart from the center beam of the building and all signed it. It’s hanging up now in our new location”.
Friendly or not, the demolition marked the end of Naomi’s in Sellwood. “For eight months we were a mobile store. Our staff dispersed and we were delivering supplies to eight different locations while we tried to find a new permanent home”. They looked at several candidates, but their search eventually took them back to an area they had passed on before moving into their ill-fated Sellwood location. Just south of Holgate Ave and west of
Reed College is a uniquely Portland industrial area that is already home to a brewery, winery, recycling company, and more. “We didn’t take it the first time because it seemed a little too industrial for a farm supply store. We took another look in February, and were moved in and open by March”. Now that they’re there, they’re seeing the advantages. “We really like it here. The location is central to so much of Portland. Our old location was convenient to Sellwood, but our new spot is surrounded by neighborhoods that are in easy walking and biking distance. It doesn’t feel at all like a typical industrial zone… it has a real ‘neighborhoody’ feel to it”.
If you liked the old Naomi’s, you’ll like the new one too. They’ve reassembled the team that made the old location such a success, including a person who has a master’s degree in teaching and was teaching kindergarten while Naomi’s floated between homes. Even though they’ve only been open again for four months they’ve already hired another new member as well. “We’re still concentrating on the plants, chickens, goats, and supplies that we had in our last home. We’re also doing a lot of workshops to help people get started in backyard gardening and farming. It’s really easy if you just get the boost you need”.
So, the folks seem to have landed on their feet, and are once again the vibrant shop they started in our own backyard. Next time you look around your own yard and find yourself saying “Know what I need? A goat!”, do yourself a favor… stop by and introduce yourself to Neal and Naomi!
