Midtowners Market, a small consignment and vintage shop on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, is scrambling to stay open after a one-two punch of vandalism and a break-in left its front windows shattered and merchandise gone. Co-owner Megan Collins says the April incidents, followed by a later break-in, pushed the once debt-free business into roughly $12,000 in losses. She is now juggling repairs, vendor payouts and a still-in-process grant application in an effort to keep the Hawthorne spot alive.
What happened
As reported by KPTV, Collins said someone hurled a paving stone through the shop's front windows in April. Two weeks later, the glass on the front door was broken and a computer, jewelry and other items were taken. Collins told the station that the damage and stolen goods add up to about $12,000 and that it feels "violating" to see her livelihood targeted. She added that neighboring businesses were also hit and that while consignors have been paid, the shop is now struggling to turn a profit.
Fundraiser and community response
To cover immediate costs, Collins launched a GoFundMe campaign. The GoFundMe community listing shows roughly $695 raised toward a $6,000 goal so far. Collins told KPTV, "It’s not just us," urging shoppers to support the entire block as other small stores also deal with damage. The crowdfunding effort, combined with walk-in sales, is meant to help bridge the gap while longer term relief is pursued.
City grant options
Collins has applied for a reimbursement grant through Prosper Portland. Prosper Portland operates a Local Small Business Expanded Repair/Restore program that can award eligible ground-floor businesses up to $25,000 on a reimbursement basis. Applications require invoices, photos of the damage and a police report. Because the money comes after repairs are completed and documented, owners who cannot cover up-front costs can still face a cash-flow crunch even if they are ultimately approved.
Why this matters for Hawthorne
Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard is lined with small boutiques, vintage shops and cafés, and local retailers say that even a single break-in can strain vendor relationships and already tight margins. The Official Guide to Portland highlights the corridor's cluster of vintage stores and independent sellers, the same ecosystem Midtowners Market is part of. For shop owners who rely on consignment and thin profit margins, the cost of boarding up windows, replacing glass and losing inventory can be decisive.
Collins says she wants the shop to remain a home for local makers and a resource for the neighborhood, and she is hoping that a mix of grant funding, donations and regular customer traffic will keep Midtowners Market open. For now, the store stands as a reminder of how a few minutes of damage can upend a small business's finances, and owners along Hawthorne are watching to see whether support from the city and their neighbors will be enough.
