Cargo's Colorful History

Patty calls it the “power of the object” and it is this precept that is at the root of the conception of Cargo. Patty would discover an object, fall in love with it, and know she had to go to its source. Objects inspired Patty to travel, and then import, and the birth of Cargo followed.

1996 saw Patty's first import trip to China and the opening of her retail store's doors in a historic building on S.E. Martin Luther King Boulevard. The store, who's name, Cargo, was suggested by Patty's friend Gail Kelly, renowned cultural anthropologist and professor at Reed college, soon became a destination for shoppers from Portland and beyond.

The store soon moved to the Pearl District and has since become a 10,000 square foot Pearl landmark with its bright pom-poms adorning the exterior of this historic industrial building. In 2010 Patty opened an adorable tiny annex in the lovely seaside town of Astoria, Oregon.

Continuing direct importing from China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Nepal, Vietnam and Mexico, Cargo has become particularly known for its mind-boggling variety. It's a showroom, flea market, and international bazaar all rolled into one. From Chinese party decorations, to Philippine santos, to African barber signs and wind-up toys, chances are you'll find it at Cargo. Cargo's credo is “more is more.”

So what does Patty like the most about her job?

“One of the things that I like most is that I’ve been doing it so long. I have been buying from the same families for 15-16 years, so I’ve gotten to watch them grow their businesses and enlarge their scope. Children are born, kids go to high school and graduate, and so they are so glad to see me and I’m so glad to see them. There’s such a connection. We’ve been instrumental in each other’s lives. Providing for each other in a global way.”