Lost & Found, a vendor-driven shop in Portland's Pearl District, is reeling after an overnight break-in that merchants say cleaned out about $30,000 in goods. The hit targeted booths packed with vintage clothing, handmade jewelry and small-batch home goods, leaving small vendors scrambling after staff reviewed surveillance footage and realized how much was gone. For many of the tiny businesses that operate on razor-thin margins inside the shop, the losses are landing hard.
Police: Break-In Caught On Camera
According to KGW, the break-in happened around 4:00 a.m. and was captured on the store's surveillance system. The Portland Police Bureau told the outlet that a first call came in at about 5:19 a.m., and that an officer arrived on scene around 7:30 a.m. As of the latest update, no arrests had been made. Police are investigating the theft and have asked anyone with information to step forward.
Owner: Insurance Claims Denied, GoFundMe Set Up
Owner Pamela Whitchurch told KGW she believes roughly $30,000 in merchandise was taken. She described feeling "devastating. violated. all of the terrible words that you can come with." Whitchurch also said some insurance claims are being denied, adding another gut punch to already shaken vendors, and that she has launched a GoFundMe to help the shop and its small businesses try to recoup at least part of their losses.
What Lost & Found Is
Lost & Found operates as a consignment-style, multi-vendor storefront where local creators rent booths to sell curated goods, according to Shop Lost & Found. Portland Maps permit records connect the business to the Northwest 14th Avenue storefront and list Pamela Whitchurch as the applicant on a recent change-of-occupancy and tenant-improvement permit for the space.
Background: A Pattern Of Overnight Burglaries
The break-in at Lost & Found fits a pattern that has rattled small Portland businesses this year. Hoodline's earlier reporting on a Sellwood break-in spree flagged similar overnight hits on neighborhood shops, along with a Multnomah County District Attorney-backed task force aimed at tackling organized retail theft rings.
How To Help Or Report Tips
Anyone with tips, clear photos or video of the stolen merchandise is urged to contact the Portland Police Bureau or file a report through the Portland Police Bureau online reporting portal. Non-emergency reports can also be made by calling 503-823-3333, in line with the bureau's guidance.
What’s Next For The Shop
City records show Whitchurch had been renovating the Northwest 14th space and applied for a change-of-occupancy permit, with plans for an expanded grand opening later this summer. Those plans are now clouded by cleanup, paperwork and hard conversations with vendors.
Vendors say they will reassess security and inventory practices while they tally what they lost. Many are leaning on local shoppers and short-term fundraising efforts as police continue their investigation. Several described the burglary as both a serious financial blow and an emotional gut check, even as they tighten security and count damage item by item.
For now, the shop and its vendors are asking for tips, clear evidence and community support while investigators work to find out who emptied their cases in the middle of the night.
