What do you get for souvenirs of your visit to Corvallis when you want something beyond an OSU Beavers t-shirt? Downtown Corvallis stores are here to help! From flavors, scents, arts, and décor, these boutiques offer you various options for the essence of the city.
As a cultural center, Corvallis artists fill the community. The Corvallis mural tour only hints at the art available in town. Check out these spots to take home a treasure made here.
Take in the local scene at The Arts Center (700 SW Madison Avenue), across from Central Park. After looking around the gallery, stop in the shop showcasing fine arts and crafts from over 50 local and regional artists.
Owned and operated by a local husband and wife team, Oak Creek Collection (121 NW 2nd Street) sells home decor, collectibles, and other gifts. Be sure to check out the handmade jewelry they create. Sibling Revelry (145 NW 2nd Street) features local artists who create paintings, sculptures, jewelry, cards, bags, and hats. Check out their notecards featuring nature photos from around Corvallis.
At Inkwell Homestore (234 SW 3rd Street) you’ll find a special area on the gift side of the shop featuring their Corvallis- and Oregon-related outdoor adventure items, local handmade ornaments, and their very popular geode trivets. A block up from Inkwell, you can find a fun metaphysical shop that sells beading, gifts, and handcrafted items called Northern Star (124 SW 3rd Street). They feature artists on a rotating basis. While there, check out the stunning fantasy dragons made here in Corvallis by Windstone Editions.
Across the street is another home decor store you’ll adore. ReStyle Home (137 SW 3rd Street) is an all-woman team that sells mostly women-owned brands and believes in uplifting local artisans in the PNW.
Did you get your fill of locally made spirits available with those made here, like 2 Towns Ciderhouse, 4 Spirits Distillery, Block 15 and Oregon Trail Breweries? Do you crave other tasty regional treats? How about some locally-made chocolates or locally-roasted coffees and teas?
Walking into Burst Chocolate (353 SW Madison Avenue) is so delicious you can practically taste the sweetness in the air. A majority of the chocolates are made on-site by Patrick, the owner. As fun mementos, they often have a Chocolate Beaver (chocolate-covered nuts), Big Foot, and chocolates featuring the shape of Corvallis or Oregon.
Run by three generations of the Collette family, Oregon Coffee & Tea (215 NW Monroe Avenue) roasts coffees and creates custom tea blends. As proponents of buying local, they are determined to carry Oregon-based food and accessory products, with many being grown or made as close to Corvallis as possible.
After walking around campus or one of Corvallis’ many magnificent forests, you know this place has memory-invoking smells. So, how do you bring that home? The Golden Crane (110 SW 3rd Street) has an answer. Besides their sustainable fashions and local artist-made jewelry, scarves, sculptures, and home décor, you’ll want to get a bottle of Firn. This high-end personal fragrance will remind you of your Corvallis adventures.
While OSU’s teams are tops, maybe you have other ideas for how to play. Here are a few ideas that inspire other creative endeavors - from tabletop or RPG games to non-school athletic wear or escaping into books.
Explore this iconic town by going for a run! Be sure to stop by Five Star Sports (219 SW 2nd Street) for "Run Corvallis" tees, hats or socks. Show off your pride in our local championship team, the Corvallis Knights, with their gear. Off-season stop by their place at 301 SW 4th Street. If tabletop roleplaying games are more your thing, check out Guardian Games, which carries locally created adventures such as Necronautilus or What Lies Beneath.
You may be looking for more of a snuggle-in-my-armchair adventure. Corvallis is a creative hot spot for writers. The Corvallis Book Bin (215 SW 4th Street) and Grass Roots Books and Music (251 SW Madison Avenue) are two independent bookstores in town featuring local authors and events.
Reach out to us on social media to let us know what your favorite place is for Oregon-made goodies! Of course, photos make good memories too, and if you share yours on social media, add the hashtag #VisitCorvallis and we may feature it on our accounts. And, of course, come to Visit Corvallis' visitor center for maps, walking tours, pamphlets, postcards, and Corvallis branded goodies.
Article and photos by Stacey Newman Weldon. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
