Gentle Memories, Gentle Shoe Shop, Giusto Farms and Rossi Farms occupy Executive Editor Rich Riegel’s mind
Advertising clients Jesse Gentle and Frankie Gentle, husband and wife, operate two shops in one location, at 10945 N.E. Halsey St. Jesse is the man in the apron expertly repairing shoes, while wife Frankie operates her Gentle Memories antiques and collectibles store.
I stopped in personally to visit with both Jesse and Frankie a few days ago, and noticed that the facade has been spruced up quite a bit. They informed me that the property owner was able to use funds provided by the Portland Development Commission’s Storefront Improvement program to improve the facade. I said I didn’t realize that the city came out that far with the program, I always considered it an “inner city” sort of thing.
At Giusto Farms, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean that there’s any lack of delicious produce available.
The good folks at Giusto Farms, father Augie, mother Virginia and son Dominic, are open during the winter to offer field-fresh produce and more.
The produce stand (actually, it’s a barn) at Giusto Farms is open from the middle of July through the middle of February. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 3518 N.E. 162nd Ave.; that’s just a block south of Sandy Boulevard on Northeast 162nd Avenue.
Over the years father and son expanded their family farm which now includes over 75 acres of farmland in Portland and Mulino, Ore. Giusto Farms rotates its crops every year and grows produce ranging from pumpkins and squash to beans and fennel.
Along with delicious, fresh local produce, Dominic Giusto told the Memo that they also prepare an excellent holiday fruit basket. For more information, call the Giustos directly at 503-253-0271.
But let’s not forget Rossi Farms at 3839 N.E. 122nd Avenue. I spoke with proprietor and farmer Joe Rossi about what’s available at his stand, which, like the Giusto’s location, is a barn.
There’s lots of winter produce available there, too. He’s especially proud to offer Hood River pears and Hood River apples. His operation is open until New Year’s Eve day, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It’ll open again in the spring.
He’s also in the Christmas tree selling business also. Stop by and check it out. Or call Rossi Farms at 503-253-5571 for more information.
The tie-in between Rossi Farms and Giusto Farms may not be obvious to most folks, but the family’s elders, Aldo Rossi and Agostino, “Augie” Giusto, were business partners for 35 years, farming together.
There’s a deep friendship between the families that goes even further back, with Joe Rossi and Dominic Giusto representing the newest generation. The history of Italian immigrants farming in Mid-Multnomah County goes back years; decades ago, much of the land east of Portland was used to grow produce for the growing city’s citizenry.
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