Blog portland I love Multnomah Village: Here's Why

I love Multnomah Village: Here’s Why

By Stephanie Martin, April 1, 2026

Multnomah Village is one of those special Portland neighborhoods that feels like a small town right inside the city. Just a quick five-minute drive from downtown, it’s been a local favorite for over 100 years!

What makes it so great you ask?

With many original buildings dating back to its days as a train stop in the early 1900s, the village has that cozy, walkable downtown feel where everyone knows your name.

The heart of the village is packed with locally owned shops that make exploring here a real treat:

Thinker Toys  is a paradise for kids and the young at heart, offering a carefully curated selection of educational and creative toys that inspire imagination and learning. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours discovering unique gifts or just reliving your own childhood favorites.

Lost and Found Coffee isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s a community hangout where you can enjoy ethically sourced, expertly brewed coffee in a cozy, welcoming space. Their passion for quality and sustainability makes every cup feel like a little act of love. They have great seating area with lots of natural light and plenty of space to work. It’s one of my favorite spots to work from.

Grand Central Bakery is a local institution known for its delicious, freshly baked bread and pastries. Whether you’re grabbing a morning croissant or a crusty loaf to take home, their artisan baking always hits the spot.

Tito’s Taquitos serves up flavorful, authentic Mexican snacks that are perfect for a quick bite or a casual meal. Their taquitos are a neighborhood favorite—crispy, tasty, and made with fresh ingredients.

JP General is a quirky, fun shop filled with eclectic gifts, vintage finds, and cool curiosities. It’s the kind of place where you never know what treasures you’ll uncover, making every visit a mini adventure. I always stop in here when I am in need of a gift for someone.

Indigo Traders offers a beautiful mix of fair-trade, handmade goods from around the world. Shopping here feels meaningful, knowing you’re supporting artisans and communities globally while bringing unique, thoughtful items home. Grab a bar of goat milk soap. Your skin and your senses will thank you.

Form and Function is a sleek, vintage-modern furniture store that perfectly balances style and practicality. Whether you’re furnishing a cozy apartment or a spacious home, their carefully selected pieces bring both beauty and comfort to your space.

But Multnomah Village isn’t just about great shops and food—it’s also a neighborhood that knows how to celebrate community. Some of my favorites include:

First Fridays: On the first Friday of every month, the village comes alive with extended shop hours, art openings, live music, and special deals. It’s a fun, relaxed way to kick off the weekend and connect with neighbors.

Multnomah Village Street Fair: This lively annual event is a true celebration of the neighborhood’s spirit, featuring local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and activities for all ages. It’s a highlight of the year that brings the whole community together in a big, joyful way.

With tree-lined streets, friendly faces, and a calendar full of fun community events, Multnomah Village isn’t just a neighborhood—it’s a warm, welcoming community that feels like home. No wonder people love living here!

Stephanie Martin

Broker | OR

she/her

Originally from the Bay Area, Stephanie is a wife, mom of two, and daughter navigating the realities of aging parents. After moving more times than she can count, she became a professional problem-solver long before becoming a real estate broker. As a transplant herself, Stephanie understands what it truly takes to uproot your life and start fresh in a new place. She and her husband have moved across the country—west to east, east back to west—and ultimately put down roots in Portland. They’ve relocated with kids, without kids, for work, for family, and in pursuit of a better quality of life. When they moved to Portland, they toured 30 homes in a single weekend, called school districts, mapped commutes, researched neighborhoods, and did everything possible to find the right place to land. Those experiences shaped Stephanie deeply, building resilience, resourcefulness, and a firsthand appreciation for the value of having a knowledgeable, supportive guide by your side. Today, Stephanie brings that same clarity, empathy, and lived experience to her work as a Portland real estate broker, Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Certified Staging Expert (CSE), and Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES). Caring for aging parents gives her a personal connection to her SRES training, allowing her to help older adults and their families navigate transitions with dignity, understanding, and confidence. Her PSA certification equips her to deliver data-driven pricing strategies and clear, thoughtful guidance at every stage. Stephanie believes a home is more than square footage—it’s where life is lived. Before entering real estate, Stephanie built her career in people-centered roles, including hairstyling, pastry work, real estate administration, and transaction coordination. Each chapter strengthened her ability to listen deeply, anticipate needs, communicate clearly, and support people through meaningful life moments. Whether clients are buying their first home, relocating to Portland, upsizing, downsizing, or preparing a longtime property for market, Stephanie approaches every goal with warmth, strategy, and a deeply service-driven mindset. She loves bringing people together—matching clients with the right home, neighborhood, resources, and even the perfect local coffee spot. As a Certified Staging Expert, she also helps sellers elevate their home’s presentation to maximize value and leave a lasting impression. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys hiking, yoga, exploring Portland’s food scene, thrifting, and adventuring with her family and their pit bull, Vince. Portland has given her a true sense of home, and she would be honored to help others find theirs.
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