Lents Town Center is the hub of a vibrant community that occupies the space from Johnson Creek to Lents Park and from Zenger Farm to 82nd Avenue. However, it serves an even larger area that reaches toward Downtown Portland and Gateway, to the top of Mount Scott , deep into Pleasant Valley, Happy Valley and beyond. The historic farm-to-market artery of Foster Road places Lents Town Center squarely in the center of a natural marketshed, and Crossroads Plaza at SE 92nd and Foster marks the heart of this market area.
The area around Lents Town Center is rich with parks and natural areas. The junction of the Springwater Corridor and the Interstate 205 Multi-use Path, two major bicycling facilities, lies less than 1/2 mile south of Crossroads Plaza . Lents Town Center is served by TriMet’s MAX Green Line, Line 14 Frequent Service Bus and Lines 10 and 71 Bus. In addition, the major corridors of Foster Road, Woodstock Boulevard, 92nd Avenue and Interstate 205 all converge at Lents Town Center, ensuring that, no matter how your customers prefer to travel, they will have an easy and enjoyable trip. The street grid provides great connectivity and shares many more similarities with inner Southeast Portland than other neighborhoods further East. Blocks are short, crossings are frequent, and a new streetscape will be installed in the heart of Lents Town Center starting 2012, making it a truly pedestrian friendly business district.
Lents is also a relatively dense area, with over 10,000 households and 20,000 residents. That is nearly 10 times the population of the Lents area when it supported its own vibrant small town at the beginning of the 20th century. Over 3,500 employees work within one mile of 92nd and Foster and over 10,000 work within two miles and 150,000 people live in the extended market area.
Lents is also a relatively dense area, with over 10,000 households and 20,000 residents
The lot just North of Crossroads Plaza currently host the popular Lents International Farmer’s Market which averages over 500 visitors per market day. Stop in and try a delicious cupcake from Haus Bakes, or pick up some hard-to-find herbs ,like papalo or epizote, from N&N Amaro Produce. And, the Eagle Eye Tavern near 92nd and Foster is a great place to unwind after work, play pool, meet the locals and take in a live show or some karaoke.
Every summer Lents comes alive with a series of special “Summer of Lents” events including Movies in the Park, the Ramona Street Fair, Lents Founder’s Day and Fun on Foster. Lents Park also supplies a steady stream of activity by hosting community concerts, and sports from Little League to Kickball.
Dining in and near Lents Town Center can also be an adventure. J&C Rice Noodle currently sells and serves the freshest rice noodles, made in house, in the city. Oliver’s cafe, located in the retail suites at Assurety Northwest serves up home-style breakfast and lunch. And community favorite, El Pato Feliz brings an authentic taqueria to Lents Town Center, with a menu that includes Birria di Chivo and authentic Posole.
But even though these establishments are well loved, there’s still room for more. Residents are clamoring for a natural food store, specialty foods, services such as dry cleaning and a florist, and more opportunities for casual and upscale dining. Over the next 10 years, the market is poised to welcome and support additional grocery, restaurants, professional offices, shops and services. And, with rents between $16.00 and $30.00 per square foot annually, Lents Town Center is an affordable place for businesses of any size to take root.
You say you don’t believe it? No problem! We’d love to personally show you around and are happy to share these completed market studies: