MixTape, a Community-Driven Vintage Store
- Taylor Duff
- Mar 27
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Written & Photos by Taylor Duff
Ash, owner of MixTape in Portland, Oregon, opened her business in 2018, inspired by her upbringing in Alaska. Initially, by repairing and selling items online, she expanded to a physical store featuring 168 vendors with a diverse range of products. Committed to the community, Ash donates unsold clothing to the Sunnyside Shower Project. Despite challenges like a water leak during the COVID-19 pandemic, MixTape has thrived. Ash plans to relocate to a larger space to accommodate more vendors and community events, fostering inclusivity and support.
From Alaska to Portland: Ash's Creative Journey
When asked about the inspiration behind Mix Tape and the evolution of her store's vision, Ash reflects on her upbringing. The owner of Mix Tape and Leather Daddy LLC, originally from Alaska, credits her hands-on experience for shaping her proactive approach to problem-solving. "I've always been proactive. When I moved here, I saw many others were, too," she explains. Growing up on a farm, she took part in all tasks, even those she didn't enjoy, like "killing an animal."
Her creative journey began with making a custom leather harness for a friend's dog, which was allergic to metal. This success sparked her passion for leatherwork, despite her background in pottery and painting. "I went to school for pottery and painting, but it was always personal. I never wanted to sell my stuff," she notes.
She began selling her creations on Etsy and recalls her first sale to a stranger, realizing they simply liked her work. Her success led her to offer repairs from home, advertised on Craigslist with jacket photos. Concerned about inviting strangers home, she moved to a small space near Belmont Books.
"I had no money and was working at a struggling café," she admits. The owner offered her a 30-day trial if she obtained a business license and insurance. "Do you have a business license? No. Do you have insurance? No. Okay, go get both and come back," Ash recalls. With only $75, she secured the space and quickly earned enough to pay the rent. "Every time I worried about paying a bill, someone would buy something or tip me," she says. Local customers supported her by donating items like hangers and mannequins.
The Birth of Mix Tape
The name "Mix Tape" was suggested by Ash's friend Nathan when she was unsure what to call it. The shop, which began with 16 vendors, now has 168.
Ash owns Leather Daddy in Portland, Oregon, showcasing her passion for art and creativity by supporting a diverse group of local artists. "I do leatherworking here, and I have six or seven others who make chokers, bootstraps, and harnesses. It's all different," she explains. Many vendors have stayed with her from the start, including two who have moved away to Seattle and Phoenix/Tucson. "It's been fun to keep them as vendors," she says.
Ash's vision for Mix Tape is evolving. She finds the space limiting, but it expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic by obtaining a permit for pop-up events in parking spots outside the store. "Every weekend, I'd host a pop-up, free of charge, allowing each artist or vendor to keep all their profits. It was amazing," she recalls.
Mix Tape's business model ensures fair compensation for artists: 70% of sales go to the artist, while 30% covers rent and employee wages, with no profit. Ash also offers repairs, splitting profits with customers, and donates unsold consignment clothes to the Sunnyside Shower Project for those in need.
The neighborhood's business owners share a strong sense of community. Ash notes that most owners actively work in their businesses and highlights support from neighbors like Velma Books and Emblem Tattoo. "It's been great. We were across the street for three and a half years, and it was magical," she says.
Surviving COVID-19 and Moving On
Mix Tape faced an unexpected challenge during COVID-19 when water damage forced a temporary closure. "I got a call about water coming out of the front door," Ash recalls. Despite a hole in the ceiling, the landlord waived the rent, allowing Ash to compensate the vendors for the lost goods. "I thought I'd have to close, but everything ended up okay."
Ash realized the business had outgrown its space. The pop-up events helped build a new community, attracting participants from all over. This prompted her to seek a larger location. While exploring Portland, Ash met an older man during a pop-up who owned a space she was considering. Impressed by her work ethic, he was interested in renting to her but advised against signing the lease, saying, "God told me no. It's not the right time."
Feeling defeated, Ash asked on social media if people would follow her store to Division Street. Most said yes. Soon after, the previous occupant of a space offered it to her, asking, "Do you want to take over my space?” The timing was perfect. "I was thinking about leaving my lease, and this offer came right when I needed it," she recalls. Ash acquired furniture from the previous owner, who supported the transition. "He was sad to lose me but happy I was staying in the neighborhood," Ash says.
The new space in the old post office building on Belmont is significant for Ash. "It was a general store and a shoe cobbler, so I feel like I was meant to be here," she says.
A Community-Centered Space
Ash describes Mix Tape as a community-driven space where people can find what they need, regardless of gender or size. "Everything is mixed—leather jackets, button-downs, pants, dresses, and laundry. It doesn't matter what sex it is. It's all together," she explains. As a plus-size person, Ash finds it hard to shop in antique malls, which often lack larger sizes. "Here, if I'm looking for a skirt, I can browse them all and find one," she says.
Ash partnered with the Sunnyside Shower Project after witnessing a homeless man take spandex pants from a store. She offered to pay for the pants and introduced him to the organization nearby. With their help, he got clean, obtained an ID, and found a place to live. "The whole community rallied around him," Ash says.
During the holiday season, Mixtape's broken window was transformed by Ash and her team into a decorated space with free clothes for anyone to take. "It was magical. Every night, we'd restock it, and in the morning, it would be gone," she recalls.
A Piece of Personal History
Ash fondly recalls a leather jacket from her childhood in Alaska, where fashion was eclectic. "People wore sweatpants 90% of the time, which I love, but they'd pair them with a nice leather jacket. That was my childhood," she reflects. "At my school, sweatpants became the dress code because kids were fighting over clothes, so the privilege was removed."
Ash found the jacket at an estate sale in Spokane when she was nine, shopping with her uncle and grandmother. Though oversized, she was determined to have it. Her uncle bought it to appease her. She has kept it since, recalling how she jumped on her trampoline while wearing it. Her parents stored it in a plastic bag, preserving it from their home's cigarette smoke odor.
Years later, when her parents moved to Tennessee, the jacket was sent to her. "I hadn't seen it in a decade, and somehow it didn't smell like smoke. It was a miracle." Ash found a handwritten note inside: "Jen Jennings band" and "John L Jennings Re. Serve." She learned it was a custom-made shredder jacket, adding to its mystique. "It's just really awesome," she says, noting how the jacket's story aligns with her love for craftsmanship and history.
Looking Ahead: A Bigger Space and Continued Success
Regarding Mix Tape's recognition as a top vintage store in Portland, Ash focuses on the future: "I want us to resume free pop-ups, host art shows, support small businesses, and offer leather care classes, repair nights, and other community events in a larger space."
She wants to engage in community work by teaching leather classes, repairing items, and hosting mending nights for donations.
Ash's journey with Mix Tape reflects her values of creativity, community, and support. Starting from fixing leather goods to managing a store with 168 vendors, she has fostered an inclusive space for local artists and customers. Her connection to her leather jacket symbolizes Mix Tape's mission to honor the stories in the items we wear. As Mix Tape grows, Ash remains focused on helping people, preserving craftsmanship, and creating a welcoming space. She plans to build on Mix Tape's success with more community events and art shows, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub of creativity and inclusivity in the Portland area.
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