Curiosities Vintage makes the move to Downtown Tigard

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curiosities vintage store opening
Travis Diskin (right), owner of Curiosities Vintage and partner Jennifer Barker.
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Curiosities Vintage opened its doors in downtown Tigard on Sept. 21. Shoppers waiting for the doors to open excitedly peered through the windows at the antiques lining the shelves. This large 8,700 square foot building located on Main Street is the second home of Curiosities Vintage. Travis Diskin, owner of Curiosities Vintage, fought to keep his store open in Beaverton. Yet, the City of Beaverton’s plans to build a temporary parking lot on the site took priority, and Diskin’s store was forced to move. 

“We tried hard to save that building, and we couldn’t do it,” Diskin said.

The old Beaverton building was built in 1963 and nicknamed The Peaks. A petition signed by over 3,000 customers and community members attempted to save The Peaks. Unfortunately, the petition didn’t change the City of Beaverton’s plans and Curiosities Vintage closed its doors.

Curiosities vintage store opening
Steve Hunker and Wendy Alberts standing in front of their booth inside Curiosities Vintage. Photo: Laura Stewart.

Steve Hunker, Vice President of Fuller Group Commercial Real Estate Services, contacted Diskin to help him find a new building. Hunker was a frequent customer at Curiosities Vintage and wanted to keep the store alive. “I wasn’t willing to let it die. We looked all over. We got a five year deal [in Tigard] and an option to continue the lease for another five years after that,” Hunker said.

“This location was our first choice, because it’s a community of small businesses that really wants us to be involved,” Diskin said.

Curiosities Vintage is a special addition to downtown Tigard. Inside the store is a mix of unique antique cameras, typewriters, clothing, lamps, and other collectables. Diskin has hand-selected over 70 vendors with the goal of providing a variety of items throughout the store.

Diskin described his vendors as, “Dealers of oddities and strange artifacts and everything in between.” He proudly stated the purpose of his store, “Giving new life to old things. You name it and you’re going to see it here.”

Curiosities vintage store opening
Travis Diskin, owner of Curiosities Vintage, greeted the first customers at his new Tigard store. Photo: Laura Stewart.

Diskin has an eye for antiques. His unique passion started watching his grandfather restore old Ford Model T cars. On his 10th birthday, his grandfather gave him a rebuilt Ford Model A, a car he regrets selling. Over the years, his love for old things has grown and culminated in this delightful store.

“I think that’s where it started. You get exposed to these things and it becomes a part of your DNA,” Diskin said.

For Diskin, the shop is a space to share his passion with the community. Diskin added two of his own items on display in the store: a Vendomatic (vintage vending machine) and Diskin’s cabinet of curiosities showcasing artifacts from his collection. 

Curiosities vintage store opening
Antique model cars lined the shelves. Photo: Laura Stewart.

“People of all ages shop here. Graduating out of Ikea and into better keepsake items. You have to come and find things you never thought or even imagine ever existed,” Diskin said.

Curiosities Vintage is located at 12550 SW Main Street and is open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Fridays until 8 p.m. To find out more visit www.curiositiesvintage.com. Check online for the official date of the grand opening in October.

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