Shopping in Tualatin

Overflowing with Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, and more than 150 varieties of freshwater pearls, Planet Bead's extensive bead collection furnishes DIYers and beading students with the tools create custom jewelry. The beads are available á la carte, along with a selection of beading kits and instruction books. Meanwhile, in a classroom stocked with comfy chairs and custom-built crafting tables, resident bead experts guide students through complex patterns during one-day workshops. Each class focuses on a single project, such as making an anklet from Czech seed beads or guessing the number of beads Hulk Hogan could thread into his mustache.

Oh Baby! impresses shoppers and critics alike with its selection of lacy bedroom attire and comfortable, attractive loungewear. Their selection of bras, teddies, and garters from brands such as Mimi Holliday, Andre Sarda, and Prima Donna add a flirty element to any romantic getaway. They also stock slips and camisoles from Cosabella, CLO, and Between the Sheets that swath wearers in comfort while maintaining an alluring look. It's their combination of racy and relaxed apparel that has earned the shop a myriad of awards, such as Best of the City by Portland Monthly magazine and Best Shop by Intima Trade Organization.

Since 1932, the sales associates at BedCo Mattress Superstores have helped customers find their ideal bedding at factory-direct rates. The staff of mattress-savvy employees have contributed to morning program AM Northwest, where they help audiences on a number of bed-related topics, from figuring out when to buy a new mattress to sure-fire ways to keep monkeys from jumping in their rooms. BedCo's locations house more than 45 mattress models for customers to choose from, including ComfortCare, an award-winning mattress collection from Restonic.

Unless you’re a connoisseur, you might not recognize some of the brands at Visage Eyewear. The staff there searches far and wide for quirky labels, curating a unique spread of frames in their combination optometry and art-gallery space. The names of designers such as Bevel, Theo, Chrome Hearts, and ic!berlin adorn modish round spectacles, futuristic tinted shades, and tortoiseshell glasses with an air of wisdom. Beneath the energetic paint swirls of local artists, the in-house optometrist, Dr. Mila Ioussifova, can help clients find their prescription. The staff then waits to show them exciting frames that veer from the standard selection of dull plastic and tied-together telescopes.

21st Avenue Bicycles' knowledgeable staff oversees an inventory of handsome, speedy bikes hand-built with parts from manufacturers such as Raleigh, Dolce, and Vittoria Randonneur. The charming, simple brick-walled shop bustles with activity as mechanics build new wheels with a Phil Wood spoke cutter, show customers through the wooden racks of brand-new rides, and carry out full-service repair overhauls. As they true wheels, fix flats, adjust brakes, and remove hibernating snakes from handlebars, the friendly technicians exude an infectious joy as they work, promoting a workplace atmosphere in which high-fives are liberally doled out and popping wheelies is actively encouraged.

Thatcher Loen, president of the eponymous plant nursery, stocks an inventory of more than 50,000 flowers, shrubs, trees, and other vibrant, botanical life. Lush foliage explodes from every corner of the 3.5-acre nursery, home to more than 1,000 plant varieties in need of horticultural adoption. Row after row of plants ranges from rare and unusual to contemporary and traditional, a selection that includes annuals, perennials, vines, and organisms resembling flytraps fond of crooning Motown tunes. In addition to helping patrons navigate the nursery, helpful staff members can answer any lingering questions.