Paxton Gate

Neat place. But the staff don’t know anything about the products there. At least on the day I went. There were 3 people working there — 2 of which were on their phone talking about Snapchat. (I went there for butterflies in cases because I had saw them before but didn’t have time to buy them.) and to get a few necklaces. I asked «What kind of beetle is this?» The response from 2 of the employees. «I don’t know.» I was looking at Labordorite. And asked the guy behind the counter «Where does it come from?» His response. «All over really.» I continued to ask questions about what type of species an animal was, or where it came from because I find all of it super fascinating! But, none of them had answers for me. And I was thinking. «Do you guys even know where you work?» They literally weren’t able to answer a single question I had.
And then there was one point at which they all had walked outside and I was left in the store alone for a couple of minutes. Long story short; Neat place. Ignorant workers.

Was an interesting place, lots of plants and various stones and taxidermy if you’re into that sort of thing.
Very friendly staff and workers there, all
of them eager to answer any questions of offer suggestions for a plant or some décor. I’m personally not a fan of animal skulls, horns, and stuffed pelts as far as décor goes but this is the place for you if you are interested in suck décor. To me I start dreaming of dark wood paneled nicotine stained walls with a bear head.
But they’ve got awesome plants

So I usually I don’t think to write reviews for anything but restaurants but the staff here was so genuine and friendly I had to! I’m not usually into taxidermy, which is what you can mostly see just from walking by, but I went in anyways. And thank god I did! They have something for everyone. The framed butterflies were so beautiful and the employees explained everything and were so knowledgable, which I was impressed with. I also never felt like they were being pushy or trying to get me to buy something which can often happen with small boutiques.
They have amazing art, beautiful succulents and air plants, home décor, all kinds of books, and so much more! And can’t forget the animal eyes… So cool. Also, it’s all very affordable. The only reason it has $$$ is because of the taxidermy but everything else is a steal! Especially for the quality and style. I can’t say enough great stuff about this place! Just go!

Paxton Gate is just the kind of spot I’ve been looking for! Coming from Las Vegas, we didn’t have too many oddity shops around and I was pleased to have one so close to my apartment! Paxton Gate has a large selection of items, varying from air plants, children’s kits and tons of tons of bones & specimens! Even some creepy reading material :) Definitely will be returning for all my odd needs in life :)

A pickled, dead baby pig in a jar.
Various small animal hearts, compared.
A body-​less, screaming hippo.
Skulls of long-​snouted dead things.
Taxidermy baby chicks, mice and a skunk.
Intrigued? Sound sexy? Go here.

I love this little store! It’s like the Republicans have joined the Democratic party, or like hippie mixed with hunter… sorry, I’m totally stereotyping. Bottom line is that it is a very unique store, I’ve never seen anything like it. You have to visit at least once — it’s too intriguing not to! I’m not a huge fan of taxidermy, but there are many other cool things to browse at. And the employees are super friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about their merchandise. I would recommend it for all the political parties!

Won’t lie — I have driven down here from Seattle just to shop here. Today the inventory was low because it was post holiday. I still managed to pick up five bugs and butterflies for my collection and I’m very pleased about the visit. I love the employees here always. My kind of people. See you soon!

Very cool, weird, unique. Expensive, but high quality goods. Fun for just browsing too.

This place is pure magic! The customer service is five stars and the prices reflect the unique value of the collections found there. Great for unique gifts for your more morbid or scientific friends. Easy to enjoy year round it’s a great place to window shop and get some retail therapy with out the mundane.

During our stay in PDX we came across Paxton Gate. My hubby and kiddo like to collect skulls and generally anything unconventionally interesting. It was nice to be able to stop and appreciate the variety of mounted insects as well as learn a little something in regards to animal anatomy.
The staff are knowledgeable and really helpful. We look forward to stopping in again in the future!

For this category of business, Paxton Gate is essentially perfect. I can’t imagine how a taxidermy/​science/​art/​botany boutique could get any better.
Most people know of Paxton Gate for their large collection of taxidermy and other preserved animal remains. From stuffed and mounted giant mammals like hippos to tiny mice arranged in anthropomorphic dioramas, these seem to be what gets the most attention. I, however, equally enjoy their collections of framed and mounted insects, their mounted skulls (many of which are artistically carved) and everything in between. As a zoological gallery, they’re top notch.
Of course, they’re a more traditional gallery as well. Right now they’re showing off photography from a Danish (i think?) collective that specializes in surrealism and in turn incorporate taxidermy specimens into their works. It’s cool that there’s a thematic tie-​in that is still it’s own fully realized attraction. good stuff.
The rest of the store is dedicated to plants and general science stuff. I love the terrariums, and the selection of children’s science books and kits is impressive. This is a great place to shop for a gift for most anybody. The staff is quite educated on the products they sell and the processes in which they’re made.
I love browsing this store! It may not be for everybody, but it’s definitely for me.

An incredible store. Reminds me of a very friendly and laid back version of Evolution in NYC. But, a much nicer experience for sure. The staff go way out of their way to make you feel comfortable and well informed. The breadth of what they have here is impressive– all sorts of taxidermy, from minute Beatles and bugs to large exotic animals. They told me they could find just about any conceivable animal for me. In another section of the store they have an incredible plant section with beautiful glassware housing them. They have a big selection of your usual succulents, but they also have some far more exotic stuff as well. The day I was there they were sponsoring a visiting private bug collector the next day and they invited me to attend. I came back the next day and it was an impressive event. All in all, this is a great place!!!

This outpost of the San Fancisco original is quite a bit smaller, this means they don’t have the room for as much inventory to choose from. They do there best with a great selection of unique items from a wide range of categories. And the on in SF did not start that big, hopefully one day the one in Portland will get bigger also.
Paxton Gate caries an inventory for gardening and stuff from and inspired by nature. It is like a small natural Museum, So much to see and find out about. Inventory includes taxidermy specimens and supplies, fossils, plants, rocks, bones etc. They also give classes here.

If you find yourself in Portland, you may very well find yourself On Mississippi, and if that is the case there is no reason for you not to stop by Paxton Gate. There are some amazing things in there. My home décor does not run in this direction, but I have many friends who would love most of what the store has to offer. At the very least take a look and you might find yourself bringing back a steampunk, taxidermied mouse.

My daughter and I visited Paxton Gate today to pick up a gift for someone. It was fantastic as always. Today was especially nice though. My daughter who is 4 is super into this place and always has a ton of questions. One of the clerks basically hung out with her for a half hour answering all of her questions and gave her a lot of extra fun info. She was STOKED! I just thought it was really awesome.
I’m always a little worried about bringing her into stores like this but everyone was really welcoming and I appreciated them talking to my kid like she was a human rather than staring at her like a wrecking ball.
Great costumer service is always worth a shout out.

Paxton Gate is a good place to go to if you are looking for a more alternative shopping place.
They have plenty of taxidermy items, exotic plants, etc. and one could easily spend an hour browsing through their products. The staff are all very patient and happy to answer any questions you may have.
Pretty neat place.

I visited Paxton Gate twice and have mixed feelings about the store. The first time I went in the store, I asked where they get their taxidermied animals (many of the species hanging on the wall are exotic/​endangered). The man seemed irritated by my question and replied that they were all antiques.
The second time I visited, I bought an air plant that died less than a month later. I cared for the plant exactly how I was told to do and followed the instructions that came with it. I know these plants can be temperamental, but they should not charge almost $ 20 for an air plant that isn’t thriving. My advice is to skip the plant section and be weary of where they get their «stuffed» animals.

Does the world need a store like Paxton Gate? No, of course not, but some people are habitual picker-​uppers of stray feathers, road kill, bleached bones, and other wildlife ephemera. Some people find their zen in taxidermy and the macabre. If you like your home décor, your jewelry, and your gifts to include a zoological zeitgeist, then stroll on over.
The staff are extremely friendly and enthusiastic. They love what they sell, and they encourage you to try on the jewelry. When we strolled in, we were invited to stay for wine and an evening with a book author. Prizes would be given, stay! A tempting offer, you strange strange minx.

Question:
Remember elementary school science classes; breaking apart owl pellets, feeling petrified wood, staring at (possibly even shaking) the preserved pig in a jar, and being in awe over the light bending effects of a prism?
Answer:
All of that is captured at Paxton Gate: a grown up novality store full of similar fun curiosities in a neat mature environment.
If you think you have a thing for taxidermy, shark teeth, porcupine quails, local jewelry, crystals, and local art. come here! I promise there is something you will take a second look at. The staff are friendly and don’t mind the browsers, however talk about jewelry and they have a pushy sale, but the pieces are fab-​you-​less!
I love bringing my out of town guest here as we do a hungover walk for brunch and coffee on Mississippi Ave Paxton Gate really awakes the senses.

I had been to the Paxton Gate in San Francisco, and I thought that was the tops for me, but I think I *may* actually like this one better.
It’s got all the requisite things: the taxidermy, the preserved creatures in jars, the vivariums, the shells, rocks, and mounted insects, and many other little curiosities. They’ve got the animal skeletons wearing Victorian and Rococo clothes, and the heads and the antique biology diagrams hanging on the wall.
Paxton Gate just feels like it’s pulling you back into a romanticized period when people kept a study, with specimens and charts lining the walls. Where one went to relax with a brandy after a dinner of pheasant with guests named such things as Sir Thaddeus Copperbottom and Lady Edith de Bourgh, the Dowager Countess of Clottedcreamfordshire. It broaches Lovecraftian.
The San Francisco location prohibits photography, but it’s almost encouraged here (though one of the employees here said they SF one may have dropped the no pictures rule).