Personal Services

By Justin Valdivia

There is so much to do in and around Portland, it seems, that the possibilities are endless. To stay busy in some recreational fashion is only challenging when one considers all of the day to day affairs that keep us otherwise occupied. So it is fitting that Portland abounds with businesses designed to streamline, simplify, and make our lives easier, so that we can get back to the business of urban living. Contained in this section are the listings of those businesses, and the following are a few we found interesting:

Doggie Day Care

So many busy Portlanders are also dog-lovers, so it is no wonder there is a ton of these establishments cropping up around town. Most places, like Virginia Woof (two locations, www.virginiawoof.com), have top notch facilities. With amenities like artificial turf over cushioned floors, large kennels for feeding and quiet time, and toys galore, even the most fervent dog lover won’t mind dropping their pooch off for a stay.

Wine Storage

True wine lovers know that most wine grows finer with age if stored properly. They also would rather spend their money on great wine instead of costly home cellars. That’s where a place like Portland Wine Storage (306 SE Ash St, www.portlandwine.com) comes in. With spaces both large and small, the entire facility’s temperature and humidity is regulated to keep your wine in ideal conditions until you wish to access it for a special occasion.

Style Coach

While most urbanites are fashion forward, sometimes they’re just too busy to really get down to the business of their wardrobe. Enter those folks who have made it their profession! A style coach will start by helping you part with things in your closet that do not complement you, and then they will shop for you based on their evaluation of your body type, tastes, and needs. Check out Inspire Style Coaches (www.inspirestylecoaching.com)

Bio Fueling Stations

With so many of us on the go, and in so many ways, sometimes we need to get off of the MAX Train and get into our cars. When we do, we’d like to have some choices in our filling station needs. Chains like SeQuential (www.sqbiofuels.com) are popping up more in Oregon than elsewhere in the nation, giving us the option of filling up on everything from biodiesel to bioethanol. Even providing a domestic gasoline/bioethanol mix so we can at least be energy independent.