Troutdale General Store in Troutdale, Oregon, is 7,000 sq. ft. of nostalgia. Located 20 miles east of Portland, it’s the only old-fashioned gathering place for miles around. Tourists and locals alike flock to the store to bide some time, have a cup of joe, eat ice cream and, needless to say, Shop! :) There are three floors filled with toys, souvenirs, t-shirts, specialty candies, year-round holiday décor, a cafe with ice cream and espresso.
Cardthartic’s Customer Care Director, Marguerite Rawdin, reports, “Troutdale is one of the coolest stores I’ve ever been in. Every time I turned a corner, there was a new little surprise to delight!”
Owners Terry and Jodi Smoke fulfilled their dream of “a grand general store” 15 years ago, having opened an antique store in Troutdale five years prior. “Serving locals and tourists, too, we always need to be thinking of the best assortment and merchandising for both,” Terry said. “We try to stay ahead of styles and what’s hot, and make merchandising a priority. We keep Cardthartic at the entrance of our card area. It was our first card line and, after all these years, it’s still our number one line.”
The Smokes, including 28-year-old daughter Cassie, “like to follow our hearts when it comes to offering new products.”
“The most interesting thing is how greeting card sales have held steady,” said Terry. “Although it seems to be getting harder and harder for small businesses, this past year was our best year yet, so that’s encouraging! We’re happy we found Cardthartic and know our customers are, too.”
