Business Update August 2026
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
[August 12, 2026]
Welcome to this edition of the Hillsdale Business Update, in which we strive to keep you apprised of moves, news, and happenings in the commercial district.
And don't forget, if you have a recommendation to share with your Hillsdale neighbors, send us an email and we'll include it in our Readers Recommend column.
Moving On
After 18 years in Hillsdale, SW Portland Martial Arts/CrossFit Hillsdale bids the neighborhood a fond farewell as it moves to new digs at the Multnomah Arts Center later this month. From the early days in a one-room space with a garage door on SW Cheltenham St. to two storefronts on Capitol Hwy, owners Lara and Wally Jones have built a comprehensive community around fitness and movement arts for people of all ages. Closing in Hillsdale on August 28, they will re-open a few days later as Southwest Portland Martial Arts and Multnomah Village Fitness.
New Biz Buzz
Your Curlfriend, a salon specializing in curly hair, has moved in next door to Salvador Molly’s on Sunset. The shop’s website also lists services for straight hair and kid’s hair.
In late September, expect the doors to open at Om Massage. The locally owned, family-operated massage and wellness business will take up residence at 6315 SW Capitol Hwy, in the space soon to be vacated by SW Portland Martial Arts/CrossFit Hillsdale, between JBH Hair Studio and Hillsdale Shoe Repair.
With an original location in West Linn, Hillsdale will be its second, and a third is planned for Lake Oswego. The owners expect to start with two practitioners, expanding to four.
Om Massage offers a variety of massage and wellness services, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, traditional Chinese Tuina massage, prenatal massage, foot reflexology, combination body and foot massage, hot stone massage, cupping, Gua Sha, and other wellness add-ons.
And coming soon to the corner storefront of that strip, also home to one of the two spaces in that location operated by the gym: I Want Seconds, which credibly claims to be Portland’s only 100% plus-size resale boutique. Owner Kelsey Conser opened the shop — recently voted Portland's Best Clothing Boutique by the readers of Willamette Week — to give Portland's plus-size community a place to feel embraced and celebrated. Says Conser, “The Westside is in for a treat!”
Transitions
Joan and Joseph Kim are retiring after 25 years of operating Hillsdale Cleaners and the neighboring laundromat. The Kims will be onsite through the end of August, helping with training and introductions to customers. “Thanks to all our customers!” Joan told the Hillsdale News.
New owner Sequoia Maggard told the Hillsdale News that his family has been in the dry-cleaning business in the Portland area for more than 25 years. With his parents nearing retirement, he is taking
over management of the family's two existing outlets and expanding into Hillsdale and beyond. No changes are planned for the Hillsdale location.
On June 23, Basics Hillsdale officially opened as the newest location of Oregon-owned Market of Choice.
What’s the same?
Most staff have stayed on, including manager Patrick Newman.
The store will keep the same operating hours, 8am-8pm seven days a week. In its early days in Hillsdale, Basics Market was open until 9pm, and many Market of Choice locations are open until 10pm. Vice President of Marketing Dewey Weddington said the company will continue to evaluate the neighborhood’s needs and adapt as appropriate.
The store will continue to offer a 10% discount to veterans (Tuesdays) and seniors (Wednesdays). Note that this is exclusive to the Hillsdale store.
Grand Central Bakery bread is available.
The Positive Charge! food collection bin for Neighborhood House remains in place.
What’s changed?
The patio in front of the store has been transformed into a seating area with tables and chairs, colorful umbrellas, and planters full of flowering greenery.
Inside, the overall experience is much the same as before. A few areas have been rearranged (a wall of snacks has taken the place of general kitchen wares between the produce and beer sections), and overall branding has been updated. In general, the shelves are more well stocked.
Large-volume bottle returns have been moved to the back entrance, and company-wide policies prohibiting soliciting keep the entrance and patio clear. While other outlets have self-service bottle-return kiosks, returns will continue to be handled by staff at the Hillsdale store.
Looking ahead
The Market of Choice Hillsdale website advertises "fresh new jobs," listing cashier and stock positions, as well as chef, baker, and fishmonger roles, and offering full-time benefits like health insurance, a 401(k), and other perks.
Also on the website: a rendering of the store that shows a much smaller patio covering than what's there now. According to Market of Choice's Weddington, that's tied to a bigger remodel of the shopping center — one being planned by the property owner, not the store itself. The design has not been finalized according to Weddington.
The Portland Ballet Names New Artistic Director
As The Portland Ballet prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary season, founder Nancy Davis will transition from her role as Artistic Director into a new position with the organization as Artistic Director Emeritus. Lauren Lane takes over as Artistic Director on September 1, 2026.
Lane, daughter of founders Nancy Davis and Jim Lane, grew up alongside the organization, training as one of its earliest pre-professional students before returning to Portland in 2020 as Associate Artistic Director, following 12 years as a principal dancer with St. Louis Ballet.
“My time at TPB shaped who I am as a dancer, artist, and person, and I look forward to helping the next generation discover that same sense of belonging and love of dance,” said Lane.
—Valeurie Friedman
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