‘Shwop’ continues journey thru Inner Southeast – in Brooklyn

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 2, 2024

“Shwop” the local membership-based woman-owned “clothing swap store” has been found all over Inner Southeast in the early Twenty First Century. Initially, it was operating out of a basement on Woodstock Boulevard, then it moved to a storefront on the north side of Powell Boulevard not far west of Cleveland High. After a period of time there, its next stop was Sellwood.

THE BEE has reported on each relocation. Now, after six years in Sellwood, Shwop has moved to the Brooklyn neighborhood. It now may be found at 3432 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue, just north of the “Know Thy Food” cooperative grocery store.

Shwop owner Marci Pelletier told THE BEE she loves being in her new 1,000-sq-ft site. “Brooklyn is such a sweet neighborhood,” she observed. During early February, friends and members helped her pack up numerous boxes and bags of clothing for the move north to Brooklyn. “The spot was vacant for a long time,” says Pelletier. “I think it served as an art collective prior to that.”

Shwop reopened in February with three helpers in the store. There are try-on rooms, and a bathroom available. “We’re shooting for a February 14th opening date, with days and hours as follows,” remarked Pelletier. “We’ll initially be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon till 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon till 4 p.m., but those times will change. Our phone number is 503/862-6488, and our email address is – marci@shwoppdx.com.”

Shwop’s new Brooklyn store opened with adult clothing, but no vintage items. Members of the cooperative pay a monthly fee, and come in to swap their clothing. “We’re big on community assistance,” commented Pelletier. “We support six non-profits at this time.

“Our new overhead sign out front will be going up as soon as we can arrange it.”