An iconic storefront in downtown Stayton is being revitalized, with the new owners planning to put in a vendor market geared specifically for men and boys.
The Porter & Lau building, at 505 N. Third Ave., is being transformed into The 505 Collective by entrepreneurial duo Teri and Jon Mesa, who own the similar retail space Marketplace at the Grove.
Teri Mesa said The 505 Collective will be a “mancave”, or if you prefer the term a “husband daycare.” Local vendors will specialize in a variety of items including pocket knives, cowboy hats, sports-themed socks, camping gear and leather goods.
She said they plan on an initial opening for retail vendors sometime in December and will then work during the coming months to bring in more complex services like a barber shop.
“The project will be ongoing through the spring, but we’re opening the retail section right away to take advantage of the Christmas shopping,” she said.
The Mesas also hope to honor the history of the building, which dates to 1947 and during its heyday was a pillar of the local business community.
The building was first owned by Wilbur and Gladys Porter, who partnered with Frank Lau to open appliance repair business Porter & Lau in 1947. They eventually branched into TVs, radios and records and for decades were the place to go in Stayton for the latest home media.
Lau retired in 1983 and the Porters continued with the business. After Wilbur Porter died in 1988 Gladys Porter kept Porter & Lau going until her own retirement in 1995.
Teri Mesa said this history with classic electronics will be seen in vintage speakers by Jim Evans, who takes old radio equipment and updates it with bluetooth capability. Teri Mesa said Evans even has some speakers originally purchased at Porter & Lau, drawing a unique connection to the former store.
They also hope to honor the history of the property by having a cigar shop among the vendors, a throwback to the owner prior to the Porters. Joseph Lambrecht opened “First Pick,” Stayton’s first cigar shop, after the turn of the century and operated the business until his death in 1936, after which the Porters acquired the property.
Lambrecht’s former building was later torn down and in 1947 the current building was constructed.
Teri Mesa said the cigar shop is among vendors who may not be ready until the spring, but said it will be worth the wait if local enthusiasts no longer have to travel to Salem or Portland for good cigars.
Jon Mesa said they will know The 505 Collective is a success if they not only keep shoppers in town but draw people to Stayton from out of the area. He said they found similar success with Marketplace at the Grove and want their new venture to be a place people are excited to come.
