Swimsuit shopping. While it might be tons of fun for a buff-bodied 22-year-old of the female persuasion, it can strike fear in the hearts of even the most secure of women. There is, however, a kinder, gentler solution to the typical experience, replete with unnaturally enthusiastic sales clerks and excessively bright lighting that reveals, well… everything.
Popina’s, a locally-owned and operated swimwear design and apparel company, employs a wholly different approach to swimsuit-shopping, whether it be a pre-vacation, bathing togs-and-accessory excursion, to meeting the needs of a backyard sunbather.
First, there’s the beer. Really. At both of Popina’s locations, one in the Hollywood District and the other in the Pearl District, you’ll find several beers from Hawaii-headquartered Kona Brewing on tap. Sit at a carved, curved, and polished bar to sip some free suds and loosen up a bit before braving a bikini.
Don’t worry – you won’t find a fluorescent light anywhere in the place, and the sales women are there to really help, not gush all over you and tell you everything looks good on you.
So, who is the inspiration behind this civilized approach to swimwear shopping? Meet Pamela Levenson, founder and designer of Popina’s, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
“We want women to relax and feel comfortable when they come in to our shop,” Levenson said. “So we create a friendly, supportive, and warm environment staffed with fantastic people who provide great help to our customers. Beer is just part of the fun.”
To keep kids happy while moms are shopping, Popina’s features a play area and a gumball machine.
“The gumball machine is a favorite of my husband’s, and moms don’t seem to mind it,” Levenson said with a laugh.
A graduate of a southern California college where she studied fashion design, Levenson interned for a small swimwear company for her college senior project, then worked as a designer. Later she worked in Portland for a fabric wholesaler that carried modern swimsuit material. Drawn to a retro-style look, she realized she had all the knowledge to create her own swimwear designs, with new, adaptive fabric for a modern twist.
Levenson launched her business a decade ago, growing from a modest 250 sq. ft. when she opened at her original location to a respectable 5,000 sq. ft. of retail space today in her Hollywood District store; another 5,000 sq. ft. in the basement there serves as storage.
Levenson, who brought her husband Willie Levenson into the business three years after launching, had entrepreneurship on the brain early-on.
“I always wanted my own business. Then my education, internships, and work experiences led me to swimwear,” she said.
Although Popina’s does carry a few swim suits and accessories for men, the focus of her own designs and other vendor offerings is predominately for women. The merchandise lineup at Popina’s includes swimsuits and bikinis, flip-flops, hats, beach blankets, sunscreen, cover-ups, and even leggings for paddle boarding and jewelry to accessorize Popina’s beach wear.
Levenson’s aim is to meet the needs of nearly everyone who comes in her shop.
“We have an outfit for all sizes and shapes, including those who need extra support. We can outfit virtually any body type,” she said.
So saunter into one of Popina’s two stores, kick back at the bar for a brew, take a deep breath—and then give one of Popina’s colorful and stylish suits a try.
Popina’s is a longtime advertiser in this newsletter. Find their stores in the Hollywood District at 2030 NE 42nd Ave. and in the Pearl District at 318 NW 11th St. For more information, including hours of operation, visit www.popinaswim.com.