The Button Emporium & Ribbonry

Possibly the best service I have ever received anywhere. Ever.
The lady here helped me find nice bronze metal buttons to sew on my coat; was patient and made suggestions while I deliberated; gave me a big discount because I bought 12 buttons; took a moment to fix my coat pocket with needle and thread; gave me a spare needle, thread, and back buttons for free; and told me to come back if I have any more questions.
There are some negative reviews concerning the service. This shop is inhabited by human beings. You’re not at Starbucks. Try to rush people and act snippy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they lend more weight to customers who are obviously willing to take their time, be polite, and build rapport. You don’t carry the corporate world into this shop; this shop is a tiny world. It isn’t going to transform into a vending machine for you personally. Appreciate the old-​fashioned aura of that world and you’ll get wonderful warmth of service in return.

I can’t believe I spent an hour in this place! It’s fascinating! Such a great selection and super friendly staff. Don’t believe the meanie who wrote the nasty review. The staff works really hard to learn about your project and help you find the perfect thing. Sometimes that means that they are paying attention to a customer when someone new walks in. I had an amazing experience especially considering that I got a ton of expertise and attention but my whole bag of ribbon and buttons came to $ 20!

Zachary H. from Mountain View, California is 100% wrong and is a liar. I happen to have been one of the people Marvis (who happens to be the OWNER) was speaking to yesterday. I am the one buying a house. My friend, Nora, and I showed her ONE photo of the house. At no point was Marvis rude to him. When he said, «Excuse me,» HIS tone was harsh, and Marvis kindly told him just a moment. I’m not sure Marvis is even capable of being anything other than kind to anyone. I’ve got no problem whatsoever calling out bad service, and I have no problem being scathing when I do so, but MARVIS DESERVES nothing but PRAISE.
What self-​centered Zach completely ignored is that I was holding goods I was buying, and that there were laces on the counter that Nora and I were going through with Marvis. We weren’t random bosom buddies coming in for a chat while the store was busy with our middle fingers in the air to those around us. If he would have opened his eyes and listened to more than the ONE photo of the house, then he would have realized that what his jerk-​self was wanting was for Marvis to abandon repeat-​buyers (I guess I was holding a jar of buttons and some peacock plumes to decorate myself) in favor of serving him. Not that it matters to him in the slightest, but Nora was recently in a severe car accident, and we didn’t have much time before she needed to be at physical therapy. These are the sort of things Marvis learns about her buyers, and she actually cares. He may think we were having a leisurely chit-​chat, but we were rushing, and made what is apparently a grievous error in letting our conversation veer to my new house for the span of about 30 second.
And, not that it’s any of his business, we spent most of our brief time discussing an upcoming venders’ faire we may be participating in together. This stuff falls firmly under the category of BUSINESS. So business and purchasing. Zach doesn’t care. He only heard what he wanted, which is the time it took to show literally one photo. Who cares about the business Marvis was getting from us.
If Zach would have pulled his head out of his rear, he would have noticed that the shop was very busy yesterday. Marvis and her husband were the sole workers yesterday. When Nora and I got there, we had to wait our turn as well. Even if she may be irritated, Marvis will NEVER rush someone. She treats each and every person as if they are the most important person in the world for the time she is with them. If Zach expects her to ditch people to go bow to him because he is clearly the one and only most important person, then screw him. He can go over to JoAnn’s where the truly cheap buttons are sold, and where he may be lucky to find three of the same button.
This little shop is packed with neat things. The buttons on shortest supply are vintage and outright antiques that can’t be restocked in high numbers. Marvis sells very few cheap buttons, and those that she does carry like that are the carded ones you can get at JoAnn’s. This is a shop that specializes in the buttons you won’t find just anywhere, and the laces and trims are to die for. True, some can be pricy, but what do you expect for antique silk French trim that is definitely no longer made? When Nora and I need something special, this is where we go.
Long story short, if you want a place where buyers before you are rushed rushed rushed so the shopkeepers can focus on you (surely you’d complain if they rush you too), then this isn’t the shop for you. If you want one-​on-​one actual SERVICE with someone who will give you all the focused time you need, then you’ll love this place. Pay the meter for an hour, and come in and relax. Look around, enjoy your time, get to know people. There are plenty of hurried places where they’ll never know your name. Very few shops still exist where the owners are also the keepers, and they’ll get to know you and your likes, and keep you in mind when antiquities you may like come in. Thanks to Marvis, I have a wonderful Brussels lace shawl from c.1800 I wouldn’t have if she hadn’t called Nora and me. She knows regency-​era stuff interests our social group. How often do shopkeepers take that time? Only a conceited idiot would expect this level of service to end because he can’t wait literally five minutes for buttons during a busy.
I hope this shop doesn’t change how it’s run. To Marvis: Don’t let the jerks get you down. You have a lot of repeat people like me and Nora because we appreciate what you’ve created with your shop. We appreciate the time you take and the care you give to people and the dedication to give to making sure everyone feels valued and important. The rare bad egg, like Zach and his lies, doesn’t matter. All of us with small businesses have them every now and then, Nora and myself included. You are doing a fine job, and what Zach is expecting you to not do is exactly the sort of service that makes you so valued. Thank you for being you. It’s a privilege to know you.

Abysmal experience. I came here around mid day, and as I walked in I was greeted by… well, no one. The two employees working (elderly woman and a middle aged man) looked in my direction, but made no effort acknowledge that I was a customer. The gentleman was helping a woman and the elderly woman was chatting away with a customer that clearly knew the woman.
As I scoured their half decent selection of buttons, it became apparent that they don’t take much notice of their stock. Almost everything was down to 4 or 5 buttons. So much for finding buttons for a shirt. Unless you’re looking for tacky brooches or cheap colorful plastic, don’t expect to find enough buttons to complete your project.
When I finally found buttons I wanted, it was a pain that they did not want customers to open the boxes to check the stock, but instead to bring the box up to the counter. Of course neither of the employees told me this, I gathered that from the poorly worded stickers on the boxes and watching the other customers.
I went up to the counter where the elderly woman was having a personal conversation with her friend/​customer; they were looking at pictures of her new house. Three. Three is the number of times I spoke clearly that I needed some assistance. No one noticed. On the fourth, the elderly woman turned to me, exasperated that I would interrupt her non-​work related conversation and said, «Hold on. I’m with them.» Yikes. She turned back to her friend and looked at a few more pictures of the house, then turned back to me and asked what I needed. «I need some assistance with the buttons, please,» I said, to which she rolled her eyes and said I needed to bring the box up to the counter. I retrieved the box and returned to the counter, practically having to rip the elderly woman from her private conversation. But don’t worry, helping me did not stop her from continuing to talk to the customer/​friend.
Of course they only had 5 of the 12 buttons I needed. Not a surprise, but it was surprising that the employee said, «Yeah, this is all we have. We can order them but…» Well, I was not about to put her through the trouble of, you know, doing her job, so I said, «Thank you» and headed for the door.
As I walked out, the middle aged man called out to me if I needed any help. Sorry, sir, but as a customer is walking out the door looking irritated is not the right time to ask if I need help. Maybe if you’d taken the time to do that when I first walked in, this review would be different.
I will not be returning here, which is a shame. If you do take the risk of going, don’t expect to find the buttons you need, and do not expect the get any help unless you’re there to chat about the new house you just bought.

One time, maybe five years ago, I had the chance to visit Portland, and you better believe I took it. Man, great city! Most of the time I was there, I was with people, but one afternoon, I got to sneak away by myself. I’m kind of a solitary person, so for me, that was the best afternoon. I pulled out my tourist map of the city, and saw a place called The Button Emporium and Ribbonry, and I started licking my chops like a cartoon wolf looking at sheep, ’cause I dig embroidery and craft things, and was especially into it at that time. It was just a few blocks from my hotel, so I set off on foot, which was a fun experience in itself. When I got to the store – holy cow! – it was heaven! It’s not a huge place, but it’s packed with so much cool stuff! I think I spent a whole hour just fondling cool old buttons and chatting with the nice people who worked there.
The people were SO NICE! We talked for a long time, and made friends. A little while later, I was in the Goodwill Boutique nearby, and I ran into them again, and they introduced me to the nice people who worked there, too. It was fun, and I was proud that I made three new friends in just a couple of hours hanging out in a cool, West Coast city like a real cosmopolitan lady.
I bought a bunch of cool new buttons there – the prices were good. But the best thing I bought there were fancy vintage buttons! I got some that are transparent green resin with green glitter inside, and some that are carved mother of pearl. I think I have only used one of those ’cause they’re so special.

Excellent customer service. The clerk was friendly, helpful, and pleasantly chatted with me about my jacket rehab project. I got the retro button I needed and left happy. Fantastic selection! What more could you ask for? Next door to a vintage clothing store, across the street from the Main Library, and a stones throw from the posh Goodwill on 10^th.

I adore frippery, and The Button Emporium & Ribbonry has plenty of it! The shopkeepers are cordial and helpful, too – I could tell that they really dig what they’re doing.
Finding the door to the shop took me a minute – you have to go into the main building, where the shop entrance is to the left. (Not a complaint – just a helpful tip, I hope.)
I found exactly what I needed at TBER and enjoyed browsing all the goodies they had for sale.

SO NICE! And so helpful!
Okay so I’ve never been to Portland so why am I writing this review? I have been searching for JUST the perfect buttons to finish an outfit for a friend – a replica of a dress from a movie. Problem is, the buttons I needed are precise (color, shank, size, style) and I needed 25 of them. Their online portal is a little lacking, but I figured a store called the Button Emporium likely has more stock than that. And do they!
I sent an email with a link to pictures of the dress I am replicating and noted how many I needed. I was quickly called back by the woman who owns the store and she was wonderful. She suggested a particular button, had enough in stock, had lots of advice in order to get the coloring accurate, and was willing to ship it across country for me. She also gave me a brief historical overview of buttons relevant to the time period I was looking at… pretty cool! I was away from my wallet and said I’d call back when I got to my apartment.
I…forgot to call! I called the next day though, and got her husband as she said I would. I explained that I had spoken to his wife the prior day and he out her on the phone with me. She had taken home one of the buttons the night before to run a test dye to ensure it would color for me. How sweet!
She quickly processed the transaction over the phone and sent it out that day. It got to me across country in less than a week during a holiday weekend. Prices were really reasonable too – 25 buttons plus shipping for $ 19. I know where I’m looking again if I ever have something super specific that I need! Thanks folks. :)

Lots of plastic, an old lady vibe, and shopkeepers who would rather chat for ten minutes than help me. Waste of time, and definitely not the place to find the perfect finish to a handmade masterpiece. Wow, no thanks!

I so hate to do this. This little store has great stuff and I am so glad there are stores like this in Portland. I have been a customer many times and been happy with my purchases. Today, I needed some ribbon and was looking online but want to keep my money in town so walked a mile to this store. I was the only person in the store except the owner (?) and a girl who talked way too much about her relationship… whatever. Anyway, I picked out my ribbon and then found out I needed cash because it was under $ 5. Ugh. I know about fees and rules and all that but really? They let me walk out rather than sell me the ribbon? Lose a customer? Can you remember a time when a business gave in and made you happy… maybe told you that in the future under $ 5 is cash only…
So, I’m back at my desk and ordered my ribbon online with my debit card.

Great service, great people, great selection! I was in need of some last min party favor ribbon and came here. It was such a neat experience! I would go back for so many more projects! They will help you find what you need at a GREAT price!

It’s hard to decide how to rate my visit today. Like always, I found what I wanted and more, and enjoyed looking at everything, especially now that it’s close to Halloween. There was a different clerk there today than the usual friendly and personable clerk there during the week.
I wanted to ask this different clerk if I could put my bulky bag (s) down to keep from swinging them around and knocking down displays and also lighten my load. The clerk was deep in personal conversation with someone and did not even look up and make eye contact to acknowledge she knew I was there. I was moving from foot to foot by the time she got around to staring at me like I was a foreign object and granting my request.
I was able to find what I wanted quickly, fortunately, and the Ice Queen Clerk rang me up without a word of conversation or thanks. I left as quickly as possible so that I didn’t get a case of frostbite from Her Highness, Frosty the Clerk.
I will return from now only on weekdays to avoid this unpleasant woman. I love the buttons and ribbons available at this wonderful store, but certainly can’t understand how someone could be without the minimum customer service requirements in a store that inspires joy and creativity in its customers.

Bottom line at the top: A button or ribbon for everyone at a cost that will suit most anyone.
I am not an expert on Buttons or Ribbons. There have been times throughout my life where each have played a major role. After discovering this shop I am secure in the knowledge that when either of these items becomes of key importance once again, as they are certain to do, I will know where to go.
When stepping through the doors of the shop be prepared, you may find it overwhelming or maybe you will think to yourself, oh no, they won’t possibly have what I need because I don’t see it. Be patient, share your needs with one of the lovely shop keepers and be prepared to be presented with a nice selection of choices. This shop has buttons for one and all and every possible price, from large to small and high to low, you will find what you seek.

Buttons galore! Having found a killer blazer for $ 5 on a vintage thrift rack, what I really needed were some awesome buttons to give it a more modern look. The ladies at the Button Emporium were very helpful in finding my jacket something unique to make it look like new! Now I get just as many compliments on my buttons as on the blazer itself. The buttons are my favorite detail.

If you can not find the buttons you are looking for here, they do not exist!
I could spend hours here. The buttons are reasonably priced. The ladies that work there are super nice and helpful. I love this place!

Oh my goodness, what a feast for the eyes. Amazing button & ribbon selection, plus some great embellishment finds. Very helpful staff.

I loved the selection in this shop but the help was less than helpful! In fact one of the sales women was outright rude! I was visiting the shop for the first time and fell in love with the selection of product. I was in the middle of the shop when I tipped a small container of buttons, no big deal, I picked them up and continued to collect my pile of things to buy — when the younger sales person working said «Are you all done so I can ring you out?» and obviously not wanting me in the store anymore. I was no where near the register! and not ready to wrap up my purchases! While at the register I had a box of buttons to select sizes from — after I selected I was trying to be helpful and close the cover of the box and I was scolded for trying to help. She was terribly rude and if I wasn’t is such shock over her rudness I would have left my pile purchases on the counter and walked out.
As a small business owner myself, i expect more of my staff. At a minimum, they are to be respectful of customers and welcome them to my store. I certainly hope this isn’t the owner! It was embarrassing.

Oh. my.
Button heaven!!! I was first here when they were located around the block on 11^th, and actually thought (with great sadness) this place had closed… SO HAPPY to find they had just moved to the other side of the street to a bigger and better location.
This is a fabulous place to just poke around in; they have everything a crafty gal could ever want — lovely ribbon, tools, etc. They have a great selection of vintage buttons as well, and being my weakness… I have accumulated a collection from here «waiting» for the perfect piece of clothing to be displayed upon… you are guaranteed to have a blast in this place.
It also is very nicely organized, and sooooo full of treasure! Hooray for The Button Emporium!

Thankfully there is such a place! Buttons?! Who’d a thought such a place would fulfill such a desire! I brought two jackets that I’ve had for years, but never wore solely because I detested the buttons. The generic, cheap-​looking buttons they put on degraded two perfectly, well-​made jackets. The buttons had to go.
Thank goodness the ladies at the Button Emporium know their inventory with good taste to boot. Because I didn’t know what exactly I was looking for, I was happy to just hand over my jackets to them and be the decision maker from there. I couldn’t have been more satisfied with the results. However, for 22 buttons, I was $ 20 in the button hole. But for quality buttons on jackets that I’ll regularly wear now, I suppose it’s worth it.

Portland is a city for niche interests, and it seems no matter what your interest or hobby there’s probably a specialized store or boutique to keep you well-​stocked and a community that goes along with it.
But buttons? An emporium of buttons? It’s true that this place is all about buttons, from your run-​of-​the-​mill circle button in a rainbow of colors, to buttons of interest shapes and sizes. They have animal buttons, metal buttons, antique buttons.
Essentially, they have every button.