Vortex Vintage

I’m back with a vengeance! The store is open regular hours today, 12-6pm! Come get barked at by a chiweenie and snag some bubblegum ci******es, it’s a beautiful day to be alive

Sorry y’all, but I don’t think I’m going to make it in today. Heading to the hospital now, fingers crossed I’ll be back in the saddle tomorrow!

Opening late today due to urgent personal business. See ya soon!

So excited about this collection of truly historic Northwest tattoo ephemera! These tattoo flash acetates were created by artist ‘Painless Brenda’ in the 1980s. She and her husband ‘Professor Rex’ ran what was once the only tattoo shop in the Northwest. She started tattooing in the 1970s, he started in the late 1930s. Today tattoo stencils are typically applied using a thermal transfer sheet, but these acetates were once a common way to apply a design. These pieces would make great gifts for a tattoo enthusiast— they are hard to photograph since they are clear, but would look great framed on a dark background. Or for practicing tattooers, they could still be used to apply a stencil and could be a fun historic novelty to offer to tattoo clients. These are absolutely one of a kind, so grab ‘em while you can!

We will be closing early at 3:30ish on Saturday, July 18th. Regular hours resume Sunday, see ya then!

💜FREEBIE ALERT!!💜 Make any purchase over $15 and receive a FREE CHowards Violets tote bag! Plus all the flavors are back in stock, including the famous violet mints & violet scented gum, and everyone’s new favorite Guava!

CLOSED this Saturday July 4th. We will be attending a barbecue and watching the 1996 masterpiece Independence Day according to American tradition 🇺🇸🛸

Fresh & fleshy new arrival highlights this week! 🤢😂 Got a whole stack of 1990s Horror erotica for you literary freaks, shout out to ONDWW for putting these in my awareness. Preserved leeches have been restocked and now come display-ready in their own vintage jewelry boxes. Snagged a beat up copy of one of my fav books of vintage tattoo photos, some real jaw-droppers in there. And last but not least, a Fijian Cannibal Fork! This one is a tourist replica, but beautifully hand carved with inlaid shell accents.

Beautiful new cards from Write to your Mom! She won’t mind if it’s a little late

Why is Vortex Vintage closed on May 1, 2026? Because it’s May Day, and we’re joining with businesses across the state who are shutting their doors in solidarity with immigrant communities. We are calling for ICE out of Oregon, a pathway to citizenship, an economy that works for everyone and democracy for all. Join us!