Portland International Airport has kicked off year two of its pop-up program, and two Portland favorites, ECOVIBE and Mikiko Mochi Donuts, have just landed one-year residencies in the airport’s remodeled main terminal. Both shops sit in the pre-security area, so travelers can scoop up houseplants, home goods and allergy-friendly mochi doughnuts before heading to the checkpoint. Airport officials and owners say the program gives small, local brands a low-cost runway to test the airport market.
Port of Portland documents show ECOVIBE and Mikiko Mochi Donuts will occupy the main terminal through February 2027 as part of the pop-up program's second-year placements. The meeting packet notes that Missionary Chocolates and Orox Leather Co. will wrap up their residencies to make room for the new pop-ups, and confirms the shops will operate in the pre-security zone of the renovated terminal. Port of Portland materials describe the pop-ups as temporary, one-year residencies that rotate local vendors through high-visibility airport space.
What travelers will find
As reported by KATU, the airport provides each pop-up with roughly 500 square feet of retail space and charges rent equal to about 10% of gross sales during the one-year term. ECOVIBE co-founder Andrea Allen told KATU the shop has already seen a positive response from both travelers and airport employees. Mikiko co-owner Emily Strocher told KATU that her family's mochi tradition inspired the donuts, and she hopes the airport residency will help the brand connect with customers beyond Portland.
Why it matters for local businesses
PDX travelers spend an estimated $127 million a year at airport concessions, a figure the Port uses to argue that the terminal is a valuable sales channel for hometown brands. The Portland Tribune reports that Abby Carey, PDX’s concessions development manager, says the pop-up effort "does everything short of stocking the shelves" to get spaces ready for small business growth. For vendors that cannot shoulder typical airport build-out costs, the reduced upfront commitment can be a crucial step toward scaling.
About the shops
ECOVIBE is a 20-year-old, family-run Alberta Arts District boutique that sells houseplants, pottery and home goods. Mikiko Mochi Donuts started as a pop-up and now operates two metro locations with an allergen-friendly menu. Port of Portland materials describe the two shops as local brands chosen to represent Portland in the terminal. Mikiko’s treats are made with mochiko rice flour, which gives the donuts their signature chewy texture and broad appeal for travelers with dietary restrictions.
Who qualifies
To qualify for the PDX pop-up program, businesses must have a brick-and-mortar location in Oregon or south Washington, report between $400,000 and $1 million in gross annual sales, and, for food operators, offer grab-and-go service, KATU reports. KATU also notes that the Port plans to reopen applications this summer for the next round of pop-up residents, giving more small vendors a shot at a year-long runway inside the terminal.
For travelers, the pop-ups offer a quick snapshot of Portland’s makers. For participating shops, PDX is a low-risk opportunity to build brand awareness in front of millions of potential customers. The program’s rotating model means more local businesses will get a turn in the spotlight as the terminal continues to activate new retail over the coming year.
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