Sandy Blvd Trading Post

The window display had a few cute vintage dresses so we went in. The insides look like a hoarder’s garage. Disorganized, the space is crammed with piles of junk. The items are covered in dust; there was even a dead spider in one of the vases.
I didn’t find a single item to rest my eye on. When my boyfriend attempted to purchase flower seeds, he was told they weren’t for sale (despite being displayed). The other junk he found didn’t have price tags and after giving a steep estimate, the man running the store claimed he wasn’t able to come down because he wasn’t the owner. Seems like a bunch of baloney to me. Figure out the prices ahead of time if you really don’t have the authority or don’t run a store. Really poor business practice IMHO.

**This review is about the Trading Post’s landscaping rock only**
Long, long ago, when the days were warm and lovely (okay, last summer), I was contemplating installing several paths through my garden beds, and, in a fit of genius (or denial) I hit Craigslist, looking for deals on stepping stones. Maybe some homeowner would have a pile of beautiful stones for only $ 50!
Nope.
However, there was a store I had never heard of that was listing awesome prices of landscaping rock: Sandy Boulevard Trading Post.
Then the rains hit, and I never bothered to install any paths.
Fast forward to this week, when I renewed my search to purchase stepping stones. Sandy Boulevard Trading Post was, of course, my first stop.
As of this writing (May, 2014), the Trading Post sells 3 types of landscaping rocks, ranging from 20 cents a pound to 30 cents a pound.
The owner is very friendly and helpful, but we didn’t end up using this source, because it turned out that we could get even prettier (and sturdier) rock from a different source, for a very similar price.
However, I look forward to returning to check out the other items this store sells.

Song Choice: Song for Amy by Jack Ingram
This store caught our eye as we were leaving Voodoo Doughnuts as it is across the street and they were advertising straw bags for $ 1.00 and cheap flags. Living in the Bay Area has taught me you can never have enough bags as most, if not all, cities have a ban on plastic bags. We enter through the back of the store (unbeknownst to us and this was were the ads were located and it was open) and we make our way to the front. This store has EVERYTHING. Sobreros, vintage clothing, games, crystal, furniture. My nephew spotted a costume for Reno 911 (Lt. Dangle). He was able to get it from here for $ 5. I found a vintage peach dress that I snagged for $ 5 and a vintage handbag for the same amount. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. Amy, her German husband Andreas and a friend, Deshaun, told us so much about the Portland area. Amy even gave us her personal cell phone number in case we had any further questions. Really sweet. She apologized for not having any Portland souvenirs for us but gave my brother a box of marble chess pieces that he was eyeing as a token of her welcome to her beloved city.
Amy and Company – Thanks for the warm welcome and great finds!