Susanna Krizo will officially open the doors this month to her Nordic Home shop, next to Aunt Tillie’s Deli in the Hollywood District’s 42nd Street Station. (Jane Perkins)
By Ted Perkins
ofni.swen-rats@snikrepdet
This month, Susanna Krizo will officially open the doors to her Nordic Home shop at 2000 N.E. 42nd Ave., next to Aunt Tillie’s Deli in the Hollywood District’s 42nd Street Station.
The shop has been in “soft” opening status for a few weeks and a grand opening celebration is planned for December 6, in tandem with a new antique store opening across the mall, just west of the Postal Station.
“I ran a restaurant and a bed and breakfast – the Pinehurst Inn and the White Pine Restaurant – in the mountains near Ashland,” said Krizo, who was born and raised in Sweden and Finland.
“When we moved to Portland, we changed the business into a food manufacturing business called White Pine Products. We made granola, candied nuts and vanilla extract. Owning two businesses has taught me everything I need to know about running a successful business and I wanted to do something different. Nothing stuck until a couple of years ago when my mom sent me Swedish candy for Christmas. I thought how fantastic it would be to go to a store and buy Nordic candy, just as I did when I was growing up in Sweden.”
Krizo did some research and discovered that Nordic bulk candy is hugely popular anywhere a store opens up.
“I knew there were a few stores in larger metropolises like L.A. and New York, but none in Oregon,” said Krizo. “Nordic candy is free from GMOs and corn syrup and tastes like candy should – indulgent with a lingering aftertaste of sweetness that satisfies. The idea of offering more than just candy comes from my love for everything Nordic. As a native Swede, Finn and Sami, I wanted to showcase the beauty of Nordic design.”
During the holiday season, Nordic Home is filled with Nordic Christmas items, including ornaments, holiday chocolates and specialty candies from all the Scandinaviancountries, in addition to a carefully curated selection of gift items.
“I believe I’m the only Nordic store in Portland, which makes my store really special,” said Krizo. “Although the candy section will remain pretty much the same, the idea is to always have something new according to the seasons. I’m also happy to receive suggestions or special orders if there is something people want to buy that isn’t in the store.”
“One of the most exciting aspects of the Nordic Home is the ever-changing inventory,” said Krizo. “An item doesn’t have to be made in Scandinavia to fit in a Nordic home. As long as a design adheres to the principles of minimalism it will find its place, as Nordic design is all about functionality combined with aesthetically pleasing lines. I know the Hollywood District has a sizable Scandinavian population. I really love all the businesses in the 42nd Street Station. We have a real family feel here.”
The Nordic Home is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 503-752 9812 or visit www.thenordichomestore.com.