Located in Beaumont Village for 40 years, the longevity of The Arrangement is nothing short of extraordinary—and certainly something to celebrate. It was disappointing, then, when the COVID-19 virus thwarted plans for a landmark anniversary celebration for this iconic neighborhood gift store. But neighbors needn’t despair, because The Arrangement has gotten creative with ideas about how to both support the community during the epidemic and add some normalcy to each day.
For Easter, The Arrangement upped its website game (thearrangementpdx.com), offering “Bunny Bags” for pickup or delivery. Customers were thrilled with this option of supporting the business while continuing Easter traditions. More than once, owner Sue Mautz was on the receiving end of positive feedback from gratified patrons: “Trying to create normal for my kids and support one of my favorite stores means so much!”
“We want to be there for our customers,” stated Mautz. “Clearly this is nothing we’ve seen before.”
With Mothers’ Day and everyday life events continuing to happen, The Arrangement plans to offer delivery and pickup service throughout the crisis.
The Arrangement has a storied history and is considered a Portland retail landmark. Mautz evolved her original passion for flower arranging at the Saturday Market into a brick and mortar location on NE Fremont Street in 1980. Her boutique was filled with her designs and those crafted by other local artists. After three years in her original space, Sue made the decision to purchase and transform a 1924 gas station across the street on the corner of 42nd and Fremont. In this new building, The Arrangement initially shared retail space with a coffee shop and a wallpaper store. Over the next several years, Sue expanded her retail footprint to the entire building and continued to develop this thriving and well-loved lifestyle boutique in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood.
Stay tuned for anniversary plans once this is all over. It will be fun. The Arrangement misses you, hopes that everyone is well in your families, and thanks you for 40 great years!
Editor’s Note: Of our 23 advertisers, The Arrangement has been with us the longest.