Local Business Highlight - Jackson Jewelers

A couple months ago, around the time that I decided to start this blog, when I was thinking of ways to embrace living downtown, I had this idea that I should start checking out all the cool little local-businessy downtown shops. There are tons of cute stores all around me and there are so many that I've never even set foot in, or I hardly even realize exist.

So I made a goal of visiting one new store a week. Aaaaannnnd then I promptly failed to do anything to fulfill that goal.

Despite the fact that I haven't successfully embraced the downtown commerce area to the extent that I want to, I recently had a need for a jeweler to resize a ring and decided that this would be the perfect time to knock one business off my list. There are actually two jewelers on my very block, but I went with Jackson Jewlers because 1) it's the closest since it's just three doors down from my apartment's door so it seemed the most neighborly, and 2) I once rode the parkade elevator with one of the Jackson Jewelers' owners who was a really nice guy and asked if I lived downtown and told me that his dad used to pay the business' electric bill in the building that now houses my apartment.  So, I felt an old timey connection to Salem's roots and had to try them out.

Everything about my experience was awesome and urban and Salem. I was just coming back from being out, so I parked my car on the street and popped into the store on my way to my apartment. They waited on me right away when I walked in the door. When I told the guy who helped me that I was their neighbor, he not only immediately mentioned and praised my landlord by name, but could name one of my neighboring apartment tenants too! Cool! And when I described my apartment to him including the lofted bedroom, he said it sounded like a tree fort, and I had never thought of it that way :)  Oh, and he complimented my Portland shirt, which always earns local/Oregonian points in my book.  He was super helpful when I didn't even know what finger to get the ring sized to (he told me what's popular), and made sure that I picked the smallest size possible because he was afraid the ring was going to turn. Before I left, he gave me an estimated date that it would be finished.  Super fast and a nice experience, and a very short walk home :)

Before the pick up date even arrived, I had a call from Jackson Jewelers to tell me the ring was already ready! When I went in, they were really nice again. This time a lady helped me out and the guy from before said hi like he remembered me. The ring looked great - and they had had some work to get it looking good because they had to remove an inner ring in the middle that had been there before (to help stabilize the ring I assume). She gave me the extra gold back to either keep or apply towards my bill (I picked the latter) and she even asked for the story behind the ring so I got to tell her about my grandma and how she'd passed it down to me. As I left, another one of the workers grabbed the door for me and held it open.  How nice!  Overall, it was a super easy and pleasant experience.  I'm glad I got to know my neighbors!

Archive for Breakfast

I don't want to over-hype it, but Archive is probably my favorite place in all of Salem. I knew it would be before it even existed. A few years ago, I started hearing the rumors that some of the guys from Broadway Coffeehouse (one of my other favorite places) had left to form their own business. I started following them on facebook before they ever even opened, and I wasn't their only follower by far! I watched as they chronicled their research into what they would serve, and as they formed their vision to be a coffee shop by day, bar by night, with a vintage speakeasy vibe. I could hardly wait for their renovated downtown space to be complete. When it was, I attended their grand opening night that was so jam packed that I stood about 5 feet away from one of my friends for about 10 or 20 minutes before I realized she was there.

It was and is awesome and has always met and exceeded my expectations. Archive is pretty much the pinnacle of hipsterdom in Salem. Their space is modern and relaxing with an urban feel. They've decorated it to give off the vibe of a den or library. Half of the bar area is dedicated to all things fancy coffee and the other half is devoted to all things fancy alcohol. They also have a kitchen in the back and serve a variety of foods throughout the day. And in true hipster fashion, they really really care about what they do. That's what I love about them. They want their food and drink to be a true quality experience for you. And, everyone I've ever encountered working there is genuinely nice, accommodating, and wants you to have a meaningful and classy time.

Now that I've set the stage, let's get into one of my recent trips to Archive. I'm actually blogging out of order and belatedly now as this trip took place a few weekends ago. Archive is only about a block away from my apartment, and I love going there for breakfast, but it rarely happens because I am not a morning person. But on a recent Saturday, my friend and I made a plan. She would jog from her house in west Salem (about 3 miles away) and I would walk about one block from my apartment. We'd meet up there and I'd give her a ride home. Pretty fair deal on my part :).

So when Saturday morning came, I made my way across the street and down the block to my favorite place.

The scene that met me was what I expected and appreciate - dim lighting, calm music, and just enough activity happening that it wasn't too busy or too quiet.

I went to the coffee side of the bar to order. One of the reasons I love Archive in the morning is the fact that all of their pastries are gluten free. It's funny because they don't overtly advertise it, it just *is.* For someone who's gluten free, it's kind of cool that it's just normal there, and nice to know that there won't be cross contamination. Plus, their pastries are amazing. I ordered one of my favorites - the strawberry balsamic parmesan scone (though the blueberry muffins also looked tempting), along with a latte.

Another thing you need to know about Archive is the fact that they are not, nor would I want them to be, Starbucks. They don't keep a ton of syrups around. They won't make you a frappuccino. I love coffee in it's unadulterated form anyway, especially when it's quality coffee, so this is exactly how I want them to operate. One time I brought my dad here for coffee and he tried to order a hazelnut latte but had to settle for their house-made vanilla syrup instead :)

After I ordered, I pulled out a giftcard that had some money left on it still. I knew it wouldn't quite cover my bill, so I handed it to the barista and asked how much more I owed. He told me that he would just "round down" and I didn't need to worry about the rest. They are seriously the nicest.

I got my scone and my latte - with foam art of course (just the way I like it), and headed to find a seat by an outlet so that I could work on my computer. I settled on the barstool seating by the window. The hipster looking guy down the bar from me fit in perfectly. He was wearing rolled up jeans and had an old timey backpack, and later rode off on a motorcycle that fit his ambiance.

I sipped my latte - it was great as usual, and nibbled on my scone - also yummy like usual. As I typed away on my computer getting ready for a bridal shower I was hosting, and blogging a little bit, I had time to take in my surroundings. The clientele that morning was made up of a mix of younger hipsters and older (retirement aged) people. Parents with small kids also made their way in and out of the coffee shop.

I especially enjoyed observing the people in the outdoor seating area right on the other side of my window seat. There were two guys who were younger and hipster looking who seemed to be there together, but at the next table over from them there was another guy who was a little bit older and looked to be enjoying a rest after a morning run. The three of them were in a great conversation, and I wish I knew what it was about! When they were ready to go, they kept earnestly shaking hands with each other a couple times before they finally parted ways. I couldn't help but think that Archive was spawning meaningful conversation and bringing people together.

My next people-watching subjects out the window were less pleasant. A couple came and sat at the table directly in front of my window seat and proceeded to kiss quite frequently. I attempted to use my computer screen as a barrier between me and them. But don't worry, it didn't really damper my Archive experience.

Before too long, my friend completed her trek. She ordered an iced coffee (which they serve with a trendy metal straw) and opted for the same scone as me per my recommendation. As she ordered, I said hi to one of the baristas who just so happens to be another urban dweller in my downtown apartments.

As we settled into a booth seat, they brought over water in a unique serving jar. My friend tried the scone and couldn't get over how much she enjoyed it, especially since she normally doesn't like scones!  Win!  She's even returned there since this visit to patronize their pastries again. I love being a good influence on people :)

After we took some time to visit, it was back out into the warm Saturday downtown air, and a quick window shopping detour to the consignment store on the corner - Top Drawer. It's one of those stores where people can rent a space and sell their unique wares. It's fun to look around there.

Then it was off to my urban-ly parkade-parked car to keep up my end of the bargain and provide a ride home :)

Archive for breakfast is definitely a lovely experience, and you should try it too.