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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Portland Free Store (For Profit) Pops Up in SE Portland

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 3:58 PM

When North Carolinian Ben Aubin moved to the West Coast last summer and bought a short schoolbus for $1000 off Craiglist, his plan was to park the bus in Portland and turn it into his home. But when he got to our town and found out it's illegal to park the bus on public streets for days at a time... well, then he was stuck with a bus. Just after Labor Day he got a new idea: turn the bus into Portland's first free store. Now the free store is up and running in a food cart lot on SE 11th and Clay and because the bus gets six miles a gallon, it's probably staying there for the time being. But what remains to be seen is whether Aubin can actually make a living running the entirely-free operation.

"I really wanted to see what kind of free culture existed. Back in North Carolina, I was living what is called the 'freegan lifestyle,'" says Aubin, explaining why he decided to head west six months ago. "I've never seen a city where there's so many things for free, all these freeboxes out on the street." Aubin hopes that people will stop by the colorfully-painted shortbus to drop off items and pick up whatever they want, too.

Creepy dolls? Red lampshade? Yours for free!
  • Creepy dolls? Red lampshade? Yours for free!
As a customer stepped up the bus stairs yesterday afternoon looking for free winter clothes, Aubin explained the moneymaking idea behind the Free Store. Bike messengers will race around town picking up free items from donors and freeboxes and deliver requested items to other peoples' doors, along with a page of ads from local businesses. Messengers work for tips, for now, but Aubin plans to pay the bikers when ad sales pick up. Well, if ad sales pick up. So far it's been a hard sell.

"Many businesses feel that because it's a free business, then our clientele would be low income people who wouldn't patronize them anyway," says Aubin, who estimates he needs about $4000 a month to pay rent on the Free Store's parking spot and keep its fleet of messengers in business. Right now, five bike messengers are delivering for the store, two of them as their only job. Aubin is also asking people to become "Rainmakers" who donate $10 to the store each month. Since the store opened a month ago, 15 people have signed up as Rainmakers. "The free stores I've heard of running on nonprofit models don't last more than six months," says Aubin.

The small bus is packed with an eclectic mix of items. Women's clothes line one wall and assorted dishes cover a table in back, right next to a large and mysterious machine apparently used to enlarge small images. Next to a bookshelf containing worn copies of John Grisham and Twilight, a VHS rack holds a Madonna's Immaculate Collection, The Best of Elmo and a video about Yiddish. Aubin picks over all donations and sends the items he thinks won't "sell" over to Goodwill.

Harry the hot dog vending propert manager (left) and former Freegan Ben Aubin outside the Free Store.
  • Harry the hot dog vending propert manager (left) and former Freegan Ben Aubin outside the Free Store.

So why does Portland need a free store it has Craigslist and the bins? Those aren't reliable, says Aubin, and it still takes time and money to go out and pick up goods while the free store will deliver to your doorstep. His ultimate goal is to open up a string up free stores on the West Coast connected by veggie oil-powered trucks that could deliver goods between cities. Of course, Aubin also sees the Free Store as a way to make the world a better place. "At first I thought Portland was going to be a liberal utopia and now I'm starting to see the duality of Portland, the racism, the objectification of women, the battle that occurs between cyclists and cars," says Aubin.

The property manager, a man named Harry who sells hot dogs from his stand next to the bus, is surprisingly enthusiastic about the store. "This cat is actually giving away stuff for free! And I'm talking about good stuff!" says Harry, who invited the free store to rent part of the lot despite some initial skepticism, "People think if it's free, you're gonna get poor people coming by. But no! You get all kinds of people."

Between 20-50 have stopped by the store every day so far, 90 percent of them women, according to Aubin. This Saturday the store is hosting a grand opening party, with Ninkasi kegs and DJs from 7-11pm at its home on SE 11th and Clay. Check out the free store website to request items for yourself.

 

Comments (37) RSS

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1
I admire this guy's ambition.... but...

10:1 odds of an epic fail. Has this dude gotten his business license yet? A fleet of vegetable oil powered school buses roaming the West Coast looking for free stuff?

What is this? Mad Max had sex with Value Village and had a still-born birthing of Pie in the Sky hippy wonderland stupidity?
Posted by Graham on October 15, 2009 at 4:06 PM · Report
2
Someone please tell me how giving things away generates $4K a month.

"At first I thought Portland was going to be a liberal utopia and now I'm starting to see the duality of Portland, the racism, the objectification of women, the battle that occurs between cyclists and cars," says Aubin."


LOL. Welcome to 'liberal utopia'
Posted by D on October 15, 2009 at 4:14 PM · Report
3
Totally freetarded!
Posted by killer bears attack balloon boy on October 15, 2009 at 4:32 PM · Report
4
yeah, the messenger thing will definitely be an epic fail. i can't wait to see who's up for biking around for practically nothing in the middle of the cold, wet, winter.

also: does anyone really need more junk mail / billboards shoved in their face everyday??? come on.

"oh hey, thanks for picking up that old copy of Heathers on VHS and biking it to St. Johns for me. here, let me tip you 5 bucks!"
...not gonna happen.
hell, even if you DID get tipped 5 bucks for biking that far. not worth it.
opportunity cost man. messengers won't stick around when they can't pay their bills.
and when the free store can't pay it's bills, it will disappear. soon we'll be back to people giving stuff away for free with NO strings attached.
Posted by rh on October 15, 2009 at 4:40 PM · Report
5
"At first I thought Portland was going to be a liberal utopia and now I'm starting to see the duality of Portland, the racism, the objectification of women, the battle that occurs between cyclists and cars,"

Great just what we need, another naive transplant who comes to Portland expecting some post-grad eternal youth fantasy where everyone only works part time, rides bikes, and just gets along and dances to cutting edge DJ's! sorry man, this is just another city with the same problems as any other city. Not everyone is here because of idealism, in fact a lot of folks just happen to have been born here...maybe you should've looked a little deeper into the culture of Portland, Oregon as a whole instead of basing your opinion off hyperbolic newspaper articles and freegan fantisizing.
Posted by RegularAssDude on October 15, 2009 at 4:59 PM · Report
6
I don't see any problem with this business model at all. Maybe someone should donate this stupid hippie a free economics 101 course.
Posted by Jesus Fucking Christ on October 15, 2009 at 5:05 PM · Report
7
It is like all of the stereotypes of Portland are wrapped up in one crappy idea.
Posted by Joneser on October 15, 2009 at 5:09 PM · Report
8
This would be awesome if people weren't already giving-stuff-away-for-free for free.

That said, I would pay someone five bucks to transport shit I bought off CL.
Posted by Kyle! on October 15, 2009 at 5:17 PM · Report
9
I think his model is totally logical. If a lot of people are willing to give something away when they could sell it instead, then surely there are some people out there that will be willing to not only give away the item, but tip the delivery person as well.

However, I don't think it will scale to $4000/month. I know people that run real businesses that don't make that much.
Posted by Matthew D on October 15, 2009 at 5:18 PM · Report
10
This guy is a world class idiot.
Posted by BlackedOut on October 15, 2009 at 5:22 PM · Report
11
We really need to change our nickname from "Portland: The One City in the Entire World That Doesn't Objectify Women (Or Men, For That Matter)" or we're just going to keep attracting these kinds of people.
Posted by atomic on October 15, 2009 at 5:31 PM · Report
12
Joneser wins.
Posted by Commenty Colin on October 15, 2009 at 5:48 PM · Report
13
Oh - so in addition to apparently being a great place to pick up chicks, there's going to be FREE BEER!?
Posted by D on October 15, 2009 at 6:14 PM · Report
14
There must be a city tax credit for that.
Posted by Sam on October 15, 2009 at 6:26 PM · Report
15
There must have been a sale of haterade at the jerk store today! Y'all are negative ninnies.
Posted by truthypup on October 15, 2009 at 7:32 PM · Report
16
"It is like all of the stereotypes of Portland are wrapped up in one crappy idea."

They usually are, Joneser. They usually are.
Posted by Kincardine on October 15, 2009 at 8:22 PM · Report
17
Donate the bus to the Black Rose Collective Bookstore and Community Resource Center and call it good
Posted by alainb1 on October 15, 2009 at 11:30 PM · Report
18
"Donate the bus to the Black Rose Collective Bookstore and Community Resource Center and call it good"

And leave this place for good in quest of your liberal utopia.
Posted by TwoMinuteHate on October 16, 2009 at 12:32 AM · Report
19
Hippies, stay out of business!
Posted by Suburban Porn King on October 16, 2009 at 9:28 AM · Report
20
No Irish Need Apply!
Posted by Carlos on October 16, 2009 at 12:24 PM · Report
21
It's sweet that you all have nothing better to do with your lives than sit at your computer reading articles from a sub par hipster newspaper, just so that you can get your two cents in, because you know nobody listens to your whiny ass bullshit anywhere else. Oh, except for your whiny ass friends who are just as much a waste of space as you are, if not more.
Posted by SalGall on October 16, 2009 at 12:37 PM · Report
22
@Graham: all businesses have a 90% chance of failure - that's basic SBA intro to business knowledge. if you admire his ambition, donate stuff or time.
Posted by immune to haterade on October 16, 2009 at 12:44 PM · Report
23
Thank you, SalGall, for this year's most hypocritical internet comment!
Posted by Fats2112 on October 16, 2009 at 12:48 PM · Report
24
@immune: I admire Kim Jung Il's ambitiion to shoot 7 hole-in-ones at his first time playing golf. Should I donate my time and stuff to him as well? You're a moron

@SalGall: It's sweet that you have nothing better to do with your life than sit at your computer reading articles from a sub par hipster newspaper, just so that you can get your two cents in, because you know nobody listens to your whiny ass bullshit anywhere else.
Posted by Graham on October 16, 2009 at 12:58 PM · Report
25
@SalGall. You sound like my kind of lady. Do you want to be my friend? I'll read your comments if you'll read mine.
Posted by Matthew D on October 16, 2009 at 1:32 PM · Report
26
@graham: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_formation besides, your words, in case you have some sort of memory deficit. you called me a moron...on the internet? sobs. whatever, enjoy your haterade. still doesn't change a thing i said.
Posted by immune to haterade on October 16, 2009 at 2:15 PM · Report
27
And uh... while I agree that this paper is totally sub-par and hipster drivel, what exactly is it that you are doing with your life SalGall that inspired this missive and a well-populated profile on said sub-par hipster paper website?
Posted by Taco Del Gato on October 16, 2009 at 2:26 PM · Report
28
@Suburban Porn King, I think in this case you mean: stay out of "business."
Posted by jjjj on October 16, 2009 at 4:23 PM · Report
29
C'mon, making fun of guys with a short bus is too easy. No challenge here.

"Liberal utopia" bwwwaaahhaahhhaaa sucker!
Posted by pork chop on October 16, 2009 at 10:57 PM · Report
30
Wow such negitiveness. I've met Ben and listened to his plan, which they don't mention fully in the article and why not?! There are many people who can benifit from this full circle; everyone involved. These people are passion driven and how can ANYONE be so rude?
Posted by rupert3571 on October 17, 2009 at 4:16 AM · Report
31
Go Go free store. THe grand opening is tonight from 7 to 11 if anyone wants to check it out.
Posted by word on October 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM · Report
32
rupert, it's called being really cynical because you grew up in the northwest and now have to listen to the naive bullshit of transplants who moved here to be 'trendy'. the free store IS a good idea in theory, but as ben should know, it's better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you're an idiot, then open it and remove all doubt. 'liberal utopia', jeeeeesus christ
Posted by thepentagon on October 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM · Report
33
Free piles by curbs, picked up by bike...droped at the bus. CraigsList free stuff gotten BY BIKE and sorted to appropriate re-distribution non-profits...freegeek.org, goodwill industries, and city bikes. These things get back into the 'need stream' and not the landfills. Peer to peer (they fly, you DONT buy) from free store to your door. Wish list for things you really want & when they become available they contact you. Come winter rain, these piles will be ruined in hours;(call them and keep dry);they pick up with covered containers and repeat the give away process...Eco-biker activism dammit! Got any better ideas on ways to make the world better? - get after it then, numbnut! If you got nothing good to say, shut the fuck up!
Posted by EarthCourier on October 18, 2009 at 3:55 PM · Report
34
@EarthCourier: Aaah... The laziest of all counter-arguments, "If you're not doing something better, you're not allowed to point out valid criticisms." Put down your bong and learn to write a cohesive and complete paragraph. That idiotic stream of consciousness mumbling crap you wrote doesn't fly when everyone around you isn't pounding on djembes and blazing some trees.
Posted by Graham on October 19, 2009 at 12:40 PM · Report
35
@Graham{cracker?} Clear concise explanation of what the free store is and what it does in shortened sentences - for the ignorant who choose to see the 'down side' of any new idea and not the BIG PICTURE...it wasn't meant to be a college thesis or disertation. Sorry if the 'act local' part of thinking global confuses you or causes such a knee jerk counter reaction. The 'do something good yourself' part was simply a jab at those who only find good in looking at just the negative. Thanks for pointing out the obvious...feel smart now?
Posted by EarthCourier on October 19, 2009 at 7:20 PM · Report
36
This is a case of a brilliant idea poorly executed. $4,000 a month? That's absurd, and more importantly, not necessary. Aubin wants "The Free Store" to be this mammoth, city-wide institution. I think that's a faulty plan, and rather arrogant.

Here's a better model: rent a cheap garage with street access for one or two hundred bucks a month, and then take donations to cover your minimal costs. Hell, plenty of Portlanders would be happy to DONATE their garage.

Or another idea: have a mixed retail space, with half your store being free, and half being for profit. This is what the Black Rose Collective is doing over on Mississippi Avenue (although they're not doing a very good job -- still a feasible concept).

A free store is a concept that's best kept small, serving it's immediate neighborhood.
Posted by shanti.satellite on October 21, 2009 at 12:58 PM · Report
37
I think the idea is great on a smaller scale, but the dude who is running it is sketchy as hell.

Also-- It's weird how he named it "THE Portland Free Store". It doesn't leave much room in the name for other free stores in Portland to form. Besides, the Black Rose Collective has the first free store in Portland, so all the bullshit about it being the "first free store in portland" is part of the marketing ploy.
Posted by noonles on October 21, 2009 at 3:10 PM · Report

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