Blundstone Will Open Store in Northwest Portland

The Tasmanian footwear brand is set to open a new retail location at 524 N.W. 23rd Ave by the fall of 2026.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Blundstone will open its sixth U.S. retail location in Portland's Northwest district by fall 2026, occupying a former storefront on 23rd Avenue. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Blundstone will establish a new retail storefront in the Northwest Portland shopping district. The expansion marks the brand's sixth retail location in the United States.

Why it matters

The upcoming retail opening represents a physical expansion for the Tasmanian footwear company into the Pacific Northwest market. The brand aims to broaden its presence in the region by securing a space formerly occupied by a Verizon store.

The new store at 524 N.W. 23rd Ave brings the total U.S. footprint to 6 locations. The brand, which originated in 1870, is expanding into a space previously occupied by a Verizon retail shop.

The players

Blundstone

Blundstone is a footwear company founded in 1870 that is best known for its durable Chelsea boots.

The details

Blundstone plans to renovate the former Verizon storefront located on 23rd Avenue to accommodate its signature product line. The move aligns with the company's efforts to increase its physical footprint across American metropolitan centers.

The brand was founded in 1870 in Hobart, Tasmania.
The company debuted its Chelsea boot style in the 1960s.
The Portland storefront is expected to open in the fall of 2026.

Market Landscape

The opening follows the post-pandemic retail shift toward direct-to-consumer brick-and-mortar storefronts that has seen footwear brands prioritize localized, high-traffic urban locations. This expansion positions the brand to compete more directly for foot traffic within popular shopping districts.

Local shoppers will soon have a physical destination to browse and purchase the brand's full range of footwear directly. The store's arrival on 23rd Avenue adds a new retail option to the Northwest Portland shopping district.

The takeaway

Customers can monitor the transition of the former Verizon space for signs of upcoming construction as the fall 2026 opening approaches. Exploring the brand's heritage can provide insight into the types of durable footwear expected at the new location.