So, this women loses her job and has the genius idea to turn a double decker bus into a vintage shop. Really? Sounds like a lady that I want to know!

Lodekka is a restored British double decker bus (a 1965 Bristol Lodekka, hence the store name) that was transformed into a vintage dress shop and photographed by the talented Leela Cyd Ross who happens to be a great photographer AND a writer for Apartment Therapy’s Kitchn site. Located in northeast Portland, Oregon the owner, Erin Sutherland, has created quite a unique and lovely shopping experience for those looking for their next party dress or some sparkly shoes. This whole concept makes me happy, a great space and a women who is so creative and just goes for it. Yay to Erin Sutherland!

Psst: Like jazz music? Erin is also part of a band – The Stolen Sweets. What a talented lady!

Thank you Leela for writing to me to share this gem of a shop!

(images: Leela Cyd Ross)

28 Responses to “Lodekka in Portland”

1 Emily commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 11:47 am

Oh me oh my. I am going to Portland at the end of this month to visit my best friend and I am totally going to have to find this bus and visit. Totally amazing, thank you for sharing this!
Emily´s last [type] ..Rockstar heels
2 frauheuberg commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Oh,wow…how cool is this…;)…love to be there for some shopping…really true a very talented and creative lady. Thanks for sharing this. It makes me smile and give me the best mood for a wonderful colorful happy weekend…hope yours will great, too…cheers an hugs…i…
3 Tania commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 12:26 pm

wow – this is such a great idea, thanks for sharing!
Tania´s last [type] ..Friday freebie – valentine envelope
4 shari commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Talk about turning a negative into a super-positive!!! Kudos to Erin! I think the bus is fabulous, and if I get myself back over to the west coast again, I’m going to find her bus, too, and do a little shopping!!
shari´s last [type] ..Reuse Repurpose- Week 5
5 aa commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 3:06 pm

ah! that’s so inspiring – good for her!
aa´s last [type] ..nerdvalentine-Ettore Sottsass and Perry King Valentine
6 Anna commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 3:55 pm

Soooo cool! If the bus ever needs a new owner…… ;-)
Anna´s last [type] ..Feel better
7 sara kate commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 4:03 pm

Oh my goodness! I seem to be hearing so many stories lately of people losing their jobs, and in turn they are following the passions. I am so thrilled to see this post- it is absolutely lovely.
8 Arianna commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 4:57 pm

This is so cool and I love Happy Stories! I love it how she change her life around and did something out of the ordinary – such a cool concept! would love to shop there :)
Arianna´s last [type] ..Friday Inspiration
9 Tamara, Bella Boho commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 6:40 pm

Love it!
10 Jen B commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 8:04 pm

I’m in a band with Erin (Lodekka’s conductress), and I can speak to her creativity and resourcefulness. This girl knows how to make lemonade out of lemons, lemme tell ya. Any self-respecting Portland gal needs to get her butt down to Lodekka right away. But be warned: your money will JUMP out of your wallet. I have to limit my purchases to 3 per visit. Thankfully, her prices are so reasonable that even a self-employed musician can afford to shop there. Viva Erin!
11 Katie Truelove commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 8:05 pm

What a beautiful space and a great idea:):) Hoping to visit Portland this year so I’ll have to keep an eye out…
Katie Truelove´s last [type] ..Etsy- Featured in a Treasury!
12 Vanessa Elizabeth @ Ruffled Rose commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 8:12 pm

This is too cool! Totally adding this to my list of ‘must sees’ next time I”m in Portland.
Vanessa Elizabeth @ Ruffled Rose´s last [type] ..French Art Deco patterns
13 Brigitte commented:
February 4th, 2011 at 9:50 pm

Get OUT! Best idea ever.
14 Jenny commented:
February 5th, 2011 at 12:23 am

How fun! I love to see people creatively doing what they love.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Inspiration Friday- The Princess Diaries Firehouse
15 Shell commented:
February 5th, 2011 at 1:51 am

This about one of the most creative ideas I have ever seen!! Amazing what we can do when we let go and just be.
Shell´s last [type] ..Dreamy Thursday – Judy love
16 decor8 commented:
February 5th, 2011 at 2:16 am

@Shell – You are so right! xo
17 Erin Sutherland commented:
February 5th, 2011 at 3:40 am

Thanks for the lovely post! Aren’t Leela’s photos fabulous!? :)

Erin (of Lodekka)
18 Snarky's Machine commented:
February 6th, 2011 at 3:59 am

This is fantastic. Yay for Erin. This is a great inspiration for those of us who are not quite at the realization part of our own dreams. Thanks :)
Snarky’s Machine´s last [type] ..Cinemalphabet- E is for Educating Rita 1983
19 Tisha commented:
February 6th, 2011 at 4:19 pm

By the looks of how much fun she’s having, I’d say Lodekka is a much better occupation!
20 juliette crane commented:
February 7th, 2011 at 2:47 am

i LOVE those red shoes! and what a fabulous idea! and some AMAZING photos too!
21 Rocio Rincon commented:
February 7th, 2011 at 8:52 pm

What a brilliant idea! Her shop looks fabulous, I wish I could go see it!
Thks for sharing! xoxo ?

Rocio R.
Rocio Rincon´s last [type] ..The Benefits of Yoga
22 Gabrielle Beretta commented:
February 7th, 2011 at 11:02 pm

This is brilliant. Seriously…seriously brilliant. My day=made.
Gabrielle Beretta´s last [type] ..Handmade Happiness
23 Juliana Fox commented:
February 8th, 2011 at 2:56 am

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
24 Lisa Barrett commented:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:28 am

Ooooh SQUEEEEE L.O.V.E this, how gorgeous! Wishing I could see it in person. Thank you so much for sharing this with us xx
25 Mallie commented:
February 8th, 2011 at 8:16 pm

How awesome! Reading this made my heart warm :) Thanks a mil for sharing!
26 Ashley commented:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:05 pm

How amazing! Oh my goodness, I want to visit right this second!
27 alix*galexiegirl commented:
March 13th, 2011 at 5:06 am

the best thing i’ve seen in FOREVER. wow!
alix*galexiegirl´s last [type] ..Love Prayers to Japan
28 Nelda commented:
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:10 pm

Her shop looks fabulous!

When you comment…

Please feel free to comment, whether you agree with the opinions found on this blog or not, your voice is important to other readers who share this space. Constructive criticism can be useful if left in a tone meant to help and not to shock or overly offend. However decor8 reserves the right to delete any comment that is abusive, profane, rude, or considered spam.

Comments are the sole responsibility of their authors. decor8 is not responsible, nor will be held liable, for blog comments. For more, please read the full disclaimer.