You’re downtown late. Need MAX or bus change? How about a bottle of water? Needing a smoke? I know where you can get cigarettes at 3 AM. Need a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and some condoms, just in case?

Welcome to Peterson’s!

For 23 years, the last MAX stop heading west in Portland’s fareless square has been home to Peterson’s Newsstand and Convenience Store. Actually, there are three stores scattered about the downtown area, but the store on Morrison is the one everyone knows.

It survived the 2001 New Years Eve riots. “What? No party in Pioneer Square? Let’s break stuff, but not until I grab a Pepsi!” Skateboarders thrashed the surrounding stores, but left Peterson’s alone. Why? Maybe because Peterson’s welcomes the less fortunate. You don’t have to be particularly sane, or even clean, to shop there. Man’s cravings for Little Debbies crosses all economic divides. But you *do* have to behave when inside the stores. If you act the fool, the clerks know how to get help in a hurry. That goes for outside as well. All that button pushing makes the clerks fast on the phone.

All manner of folk go through their doors. From gutter punks to assistant district attorneys, crackheads to movie stars, eclectic doesn’t come close to describing the diverse crowd. Up-and-coming rappers, civil rights activists, police officers and Fox 12’s Most Wanted have all made appearances. Hell, Flounder from Animal House dropped by recently. (And some guy named Shaq. I hear he’s really big and famous.) There’s also the Average Joe, the you and me. That’s their biggest customer base. Everyman.

Unfortunately, we’ve got trouble my friends, right here in River City. The city of Portland owns the parking structure that houses the Morrison store, and has decided they want the property. They have given the store an eviction notice, demanding that the Peterson gang be out by August 15. Instead of typing out the whole argument, I will point you to two cohesive blogposts:

http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/2008/06/downtown_retailer_brooks_broth.php

http://bojack.org/2008/06/getting_renewed_straight_outta.html

Please read the comments as well. There’s a lot of love, with just a piss-trickle of negativity. It wouldn’t be a proper blog discussion if we didn’t get a flamer or two.

Next time you’re downtown, stop by one of the stores and watch the show. And if you feel so inclined, drop a line to our civic leaders and let them know you don’t want to lose downtown’s favorite all-night quick stop.