Once seen as a fading memory of Portland’s retail past, the Lloyd Center Mall is making an unexpected and powerful comeback. Once nearly empty after major retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom shut their doors, the 65-year-old shopping center is now buzzing with fresh energy, thanks to small businesses, artists, and local entrepreneurs.
What used to feel like a ghost town is now being called one of the coolest, weirdest, and most creative malls in the country. And if you have not been there in a while, you might want to go see it for yourself.
What is bringing lloyd center back to life?
The biggest change? Instead of big national chains, the mall now houses around 90 tenants, with more than 60 of them being small businesses, nonprofits, or creative activity spaces. That shift is what is giving the mall its brand-new identity. Here are some of the small businesses now available on the mall location:
- A comic book store sits where high-end brands used to be
- A former Foot Locker is now an art gallery
- The old Brookstone store hosts live magic shows
- And a once-shuttered storefront is now home to a lightsaber shop
“It really is like a startup incubator for new creative retail, and I think Portland really needs that,” said Matt Morrison, owner of Legion Sabers.
How did the mall turn around so quickly?
One key factor behind the comeback is the low rent. In many cases, rent is under $1,000 a month. For small business owners, that kind of deal is rare—especially in a city like Portland.
Jason Leivian, who owns Floating World Comics, said, “The big selling point is just that the rent was insanely cheap. Like, cheaper than when I first opened my store 16 years ago.”
Boutique owner La Tina McCord moved her store La Tina’s Style of Elegance to the mall and said she is saving about $2,000 a month in rent
And for many of these small business owners, it is more than just a financial decision. It is about being part of something bigger—a creative, community-focused experiment in a place most people had written off.
What kind of shops and events are happening now?
You will still find places like Barnes & Noble and GameStop, but many of the mall’s new tenants are truly one-of-a-kind.
Here are just a few of the things you can now experience at Lloyd Center:
- Stoopid Burger and other local food vendors in the food court
- The Star Tropics Pinball Museum, where kids and adults play side by side
- Children’s puppet shows, music classes, and tabletop gaming spaces
- A skating rink still open and active
- A growing number of pop-up events, art exhibits, and community markets
Jason Andersen, who runs the pinball museum, said, “A lot of people ask, what happened to Macy’s, what happened to Marshalls? And personally, I do not think we miss those very much… It is cool seeing these small projects coming up.”
What does the future of Lloyd center look like?
Developers say Lloyd Center will stay open through at least the 2025 holiday season as long-term redevelopment plans continue. But many of the people running businesses there know their time may be limited.
Matt Henderson, who runs an art gallery at the mall, said:
“I think the future of the mall still feels very open-ended. This is a really unique opportunity for Portland to reinvent itself and fashion a shopping mall in its own image.”
So, while nobody knows exactly how long this creative boom will last, one thing is clear—you are watching something special take place. As Tom Kilbane of Urban Renaissance Group put it:
“It’s amazing to see what’s been happening at Lloyd Center during this time of transition. There’s a very entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of community that’s developed. It’s a very Portland vibe.”
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