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Category: Toy Stores
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, HawthorneBumper sticker distributed exclusively by The Dollar Scholar, still only $1.00!
Mon-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
I got two life essentials here.
A splattering, squishy egg and CAT STICKERS!!
I also saw they have lint rollers right now, so, for someone who gets that excited over cat stickers, I need to return immediately.
When you enter the store, one of the owners hands you a gooey hand-sized pile of poop. Or he'll give you a cute, round pig. Then he'll order you to hurtle either of those at the glass door or window. And you will, because when someone tells you to throw the crap out of an object, how can you not oblige?
The pig and the poop are plastic, in case you're worried. They're made out of that elastic material that's kind of half a liquid and half a solid and all sorts of awesome to watch as they gloop from their points of impact to the handy bins strategically placed below to catch them. No doubt about it, a lot of the toys at the Dollar Scholar are definitely on the cheap and corny side. Fake skid-marked diapers for your next party favor, anyone? But since when is cheap and corny a problem? You're playing, for Pete's sake. Don't make me toss the poop at you.
I just returned from a short trip to Portland, my 3rd so far this year (with the 4th scheduled). After our school conference, my son and I had a few hours to kill before flying back to Oakland. His Mom suggested that we hang out on Hawthorne Avenue, while she headed over to Peets to get some work done. This was my first serious foray into the East side and previously my stepdaughter was apparently disappointed when her Mom decided to "sell out" and buy her home on the West side of town (instead of out here amongst the Reed hipsters).
My first impression of Hawthorne Avenue was that with notable exceptions, a better name this section of town would be the Tschotchke Trail. There's Greg's, Sorel's, Presents of Mind, and other unique "stuff" places that I'm sure I somehow missed.
I had the most fun at Dollar (Loonie?) Scholar. It's an interesting combination of a variety store, a rummage sale, and a used book shop, all wrapped up in the nooks and crannies of an old house. The biggest treat was the guy running the place and the enthusiastic and engaging way he showed off and demonstrated his cheap (and often useful) stuff. We also enjoyed visiting with Dollar the dog. My son left with an inexpensive little toy for his Mom and we both left with a smile on our face and an intention to come back.
The store itself is frankly too awesome for me to try to quantify or describe. That aside- its' being open 'till 8pm every day [sundays too!] is um, pretty incredible for a town that generally keels over and dies* by [well before] dusk.
*PDX seems to wrap up everything worth doing [save for the errant exception/outlier] by like 5 to 6pm... & although other decently sized major metropolitans cities choose to do the opposite and thrive [re: providing goods & services to the night-inclined]... we portlanders "keep it weird" and idiotic by striving not to thrive..
I am aware of 24-hour chain stores, yes. I just prefer to solve all of my life's trials, tribulations and problems by purchasing the quirkier crap seemingly only sold by fellow portlanders.. [& I am aware that the 39 x Belmont Walgreen's has some weird shit, don't get me wrong, but it is not for a dollah'.. and besides the awesome supervisor guy is part of the magic of the dollar scholar, and he does not moonlight at Wallgreens as of this moment].
Summation:
-Stop/shop at this location.
-You will like it.
-I know I did... & I like next to nothing.
I really expected more based on the reviews. The store is tiny, in a bit of disarray, and though they try to pack a lot in a small area, some of the wall hangers looked bare; I personally thought the selection was skimpy. The best thing in there was the dog (not for sale).
It's worth a look if you're in the neighborhood, or if you've got young ones (plus one for cheap toys), as there are some interesting knick knacks and souveniers, but I didn't see anything I really wanted to play with, much less purchase.
1. slap bracelets.
2. upon walking in the door the owners exclaimed "please come in, feel free to open things up and try them out! GO PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!".
3. 'nuff said.
AMAZING!
As I entered the Dollar Scholar for the first time, the owner proceeded to hand me numerous fun toys to play with and explained the philosophy of the store. Basically this guy buys all kinds of trinkets that normally have marked up prices, and instead sells them for a dollar or less. Making a huge profit is the least of the owner's concerns. I got all kinds of weird things that proved to be very useful later:
-4 AA batteries
-A laser pointer
-2 Sharpies
-A huge-ass lighter
-A new carabiner
To top it all off, the owner gave me a flyer for a pirate day (which I regrettably missed). It's just really really fun, ok, just go down there.
There are some great places on Hawthorne to score gifts. Presents of Mind, Monkey King, Greg's, ubiquitous Powells to mention just a few... But here's the thing: not everyone on my gift list wants locally-crafted jewelry and $5.00 cards. Where to go for er, more low-brow goods?
Enter The Dollar Scholar, just down the street. As mentioned in earlier reviews, the squishy splat tomatoes and eggs are pretty neat, but they've got a newer better incarnation: squishy splat mice. Oh yes! Jarringly hilarious. I passed on the faux dirty diaper, but hey, it's good to know it's there if (when?) I need it.
I did however buy a pen shaped like poo for my father-in-law's Christmas stocking. It's gonna be a very special Christmas.
This is such a fun place, don't go there pissed off. Acually you shouldn't go anywhere if you're pissed off. But yeah what i love about going here is the people there encourage you to have fun and play with the stuff. The bad thing is there are too many toys and my friends and i get carried away with trying to hurt each other.
Now that i think about it, i don't know what else is here we just go to the toy section only. dam it, i have to go back so i can write a better review now.
The best dollar store I have ever been to.
Since Oregon doesn't have sales tax, everything is actually a dollar!
The owner was super nice and let us play with all the toys before we bought them. Everytime I visit Portland (from Vancouver or San Francisco) I go here and buy a bunch of stuff. My favorites are the bungee ropes (good for many uses), the various colors of Sharpie pens and last but not least the squeezee balls, stress relief and a good time rolled into one.
This place is fun for all ages so go ahead and indulge!
I'm not sure I'd drive out of the way for this store or anything, but if you're visiting Portland long enough you'll probably make it to Hawthorne and then, this place is a must-see. The staff/owners/family that works there is really sweet and helpful. AND you get to throw the squishy splat egg or tomato against the glass. Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it!
And can I tell you- they have ALL KINDS of crap! From dust pans to dental floss to decorations...well, you'll find something you absolutely need. Me? I got mardi gras beads (in hard to find black), boxes of nag champa incense, and little rings that have flashlights on them. Great for trying to dig through your purse in a dark bar!
I spent $16, and got 16 things.
Every other review is spot on, what more can I say? Not many other shops make you as proud to be a Portlander, and not many encourage you to tell others to go in quite like this place.
They seem to be doing very well in the downturned economy, it makes me happy, they truly deserve it, its a great business. Overly friendly and welcoming by far.
Great selection of books for kids if youre ever looking for a present hint hint. Also, they get a cool collection of random books, everything is well organized and labeled. I was able to get a ton of useless crap for my best friends birthday next week, including a slap bracelet which should bring back plenty of fabulous memories. I also decided I ever get fish, I am for sure coming back here because you can get rad things like little plastic sting rays and funny trees, such great things to put in a bowl!!
And a hint? Do not shoplift here.
If Hawthorne ever needed a head of the tourism board, the owner of this place would get my vote. Can anyone get more excited about a newbie to the store & to Portland? I think not. He was slinky glasses clad & equipped with a magic egg tutorial & all.
This place is basically as eclectic on the inside as it is on the outside & that is pretty much what makes it awesome. From tools, sandwich bags, & random stuff that say "Portland" to mardi gras beads, pirate gear (he said they sold out), & princess playsets.
He told me that he is always taking suggestions so if there's something in the store for $5 & less, he'll try his best to get it in here.
This is the ultimate place to get things for your ADD inner kid. (See pics of "tourism board.")
My friends and I had actually planned to visit the musty thrift shop next door to this place, but since my cheap ass almost always likes things that cost only a dollar, I took one look at the sign and had to go in!
The guy who was in the store was pretty awesome. He and I threw fake eggs at the glass door together.
They carry and extensive collection of dinosaur tattoos and I ended up buying 4 packs of 'em! The velociraptor one will look great on my boob! woo hoo!
Funness!
This place has a mixture of things like joyful cheap toy & random other stuff which feel like a garage sale of things someone bought too much of.
The guy who owns the place [& there is a lady who owns it too, she's a little indignant when people don't realize its a two person operation--so that's her shout out!] seems like the weird kid in HS who never stopped being weird & decided to hone in on that by owning a store of weird things. He told us we were in the middle of the best public transportation in the world [have you been to NY? London? Paris?, even my city San Francisco? I'd contest those have an edge to Portland] He also loved Oregon with the kind of rigor generally reserved for teen pop idols with spreads in TigerBeat mag.
Go there, buy crap & then think of him.
TOYS!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com...
I really want those egg things...
This unassuming Hawthorne store looks like a generic "dollar store" operation from the outside, but take the time to check it out. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face.
When you enter, the proprietor asks if you have been in before, and if you say "no" he hands you one of their products and invites you to demonstrate it. I don't want to ruin the surprise with too many details, but the group of strangers I entered with all smiled and laughed when he was done.
The stock is all a dollar or less, but not your usual dollar store fare. There are a lot of art supplies, a lot of kiddie-type magic tricks, color changing balls, books, etc. I walked out having spent four bucks, and got it all back when I threw the color changing ball to my wife and saw her expression when it changed from yellow to red in mid-air. Whee!
Hard to describe this place, but it has lots of low-dollar fun for the kids, or the the juvenile lurking inside you.
Such a cool place, if you're around stop by. Definitely a store with a character!
There are posters on the wall behind the register here, posters featuring photos of criminals wanted for things like shoplifting or passing bad checks on Hawthorne. When my shopping companion asked about the people in the posters, the owner&operator of the Dollar Scholar ("WHERE YOU LEARN TO SAVE!" thank you very much) said that they were bad people that we should push into the street on sight. yesssssssssss. Anyone who would steal from the Dollar Scholar is an asshole and I probably would push them on general principle, though maybe not into the street.
ANYTHING you want? The Dollar Scholar will order it. They ain't in it for the money - I think they just like running the shop. If it's your first time there the owner will a) know b) introduce you to a rad toy and I won't spoil the ending but know that it involves throwing something in their shop AS HARD AS YOU CAN. If it's not your first time there, the owner will recognize you and greet you while reminding you that you can and should take things out of their package and play with them here.
A good place to buy household supplies like spatulas or ice cube trays. Also a good source for party favors, hair ties, pirate moustaches, hats, toys, tools etc etc
They throw a treasure hunt once a year also that I think involves dressing up. Support Hawthorne independent businesses, and start with the Dollar Scholar.
Dollar Scholar has gradually earned a following and a presence on Hawthorne Boulevard. This independently-owned dollar store is memorable not just for its unique selection (lots of things not found at other dollar stores) and convenient location, but for its staff.
A Ned Flanders look-and-act-alike runs this place and will insist that you throw a rubber egg at the door if you've never been in there before.
THIS PLACE IS RAD
you should go there if you are in portland.
so many fun toys!
This is not your average dollar store. The moment I entered they knew I hadn't been there before. Remember those sticky balls that you could through on the wall and they SPLAT on the wall, then slowly regain shape and fall to the ground. Well that is the first thing I got to play with when I got there. It's fun and I actually found some glue that I needed! For a buck! I probably wouldn't come shopping here with my usual dollar store list, but the place sure is fun.
this may be my favorite shop on the hawth. it's definitely the best dollar store in the world. why?
1. sticky "egg" that gives a satisfying splat when thrown against the glass door. check.
2. irresistible gag gifts for the 11yo in all of us. yes, i _need_ a faux poo diaper. double check.
3. infectiously exuberant proprietor you want to take home with you. checkity-check.
4. surprisingly practical stuff like a $1 microfiber polishing cloth. check-check.
5. the ability to goof-off with cheap cool stuff in a/c on a 100+ day. priceless.
hmmm, the in-laws need stocking stuffers. check-check-check!
I love running around the perimeter of the Dollar Scholar at night, completely trashed, reading the balloons and giggling at all the bad spelling.
Beer+Long Walk Home+Bad Spelling = Good Times at the Dollar Scholar!
Could this be the coolest dollar store in the world? Yes, yes, it could. I mean, how often do you go into a dollar store and find stuff that you actually NEED and would have paid full price for? I came in looking for party favors, and ended up with a bottle of windex, a level, and a decent paintbrush, for, yes, a dollar each. Probably $15 worth of stuff at Fred Meyer. I think the hidden treasure trove of this store is actually the tool section, where they have everything from hammers to painting supplies for, you guessed it, a dollar each. Their selection is, of course, pretty limited, but definitely check here before you go pay full price at the hardware store!
Apart from the tools, they have other really useful stuff like art supplies, greeting cards, candles, bags full of plastic animals and fake poopy diapers. I mean, who doesn't need one of those? Well...I don't, as my life is full of plenty of the real ones...but, you know what I'm sayin'.
And yes, the guy who runs the place is a total goofball, and yes, he will make you throw a rubber egg at the front door the first time you come in, but hey, what's the harm in that? He's also very enthusiastic and quite helpful, so more power to him.
The Dollar Scholar rocks!! The staff there are so friendly and unpretentious! The stuff they sell is so unique to other dollar stores there too. Another thing is that they sponsor Pirate Day and that is way cool. They also encourage tourists and such to shop all the stores on Hawthorne! Very community oriented and friendly. I'd love to own a business and have them as neighbors!!!
This place is a unique dollar store. It has a bunch of toys and housewares and tchotchkes that are all fun and ridiculous. The guy who owns it is a bit kooky --- he'll tell you Portland has the best transportation in the world (I mean, really, have you ever even left Portland?) --- but he's harmless. It's gets a bit crowded - the till is in the front of the store and creates a natural traffic choke point. But otherwise, this is a fun place.
Think Pee-Wee's playhouse meets early 90's Nickalodeon. Oh yes. I kid you not. I found so many great toys for a young friend of mine and a couple of dope bandanas for myself. AND . . . EVERYTHING IS A DOLLAR. Come on.
This is such a fun place! Now they have a new puppy named Dollar who is there every day. So you not only play with whatever is in the store, but you can play with the puppy also.
This place is so much fun! You never quite know what fun little, make you smile thing you will find next. They always seem to have an array of new things and who can resist the price of a dollar or less? I have out of town guests that insist on coming here every time they visit. Its locally owned and the staff is super friendly. You're allowed to open and play with anything in the store. I love the squeeze toys the most. Frogs with red goo and plastic maggots inside! Yay! A store definitely worth checking out!
if you are a fan of the oriental trading post or american science and surplus catalogs, this has got to be your local source for board certified 'doo-dads'. i needed some super absorbent baby dinos, and chinese made styrofoam glider birds on the spur of the moment and of course they had it. i always lie and say its my first time there so they show me something neat like im a rube. you see, this is how you get the inside info on your latest technology in wall walkers and plastic instruments. there are people who would upon seeing this store squeal like a stuck pig and then there are those people with no souls. i think you get the point.
the best way to experience the dollar scholar: sunday, at eleven a.m., crawl to mulligans for three bloody marys. speak to no one. if you're male, ignore the men's room: it's always occupied with a sports fan enjoying a rail of funny white powder. if you're that sports fan, i dislike you. intensely. you take too long. as there are few women in the joint, the ladies room is free. it's a one-toilet affair with a lock, so slink on in. raise the seat. anywho, enjoy your three delicous beverages. you're now ready for the scholar.
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland
Category: Toy Stores
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland
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Neighborhood: Southeast Portland
Category: Antiques
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland
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