Usually I leave it up to Marjorie to stay abreast of the new stores opening up in Portland, but a new boutique, Tender Loving Empire (1720 NW Lovejoy, #109), is set to open next Thursday, June 7, and I can’t wait to check it out. The store’s emphasis is on “hand screened printed art, comics, musical and fiction releases,” and will also feature “a broad range of books (comics and literature), accessories, fine art prints, and clothes” from designers I’m completely unfamiliar with, like Buenaventura Press, Jordan Crane, and Portlanders Modica Designs and Attic Journals.

In addition, there’s an in-house screen printing facility, where they’ll make flyers, CD packaging, art prints, or whatever else you need (paper based). And of course, there will be art shows, beginning with Sam Guererro’s Be Afraid.

The grand opening runs from 6-10 pm on First Thursday. We’ll check it out and report back to you, or beat us to the punch and check it out yourself.