Comments on: The Cuckoo’s Nest- A History Of Portland’s Original Bohemian Boutique

By: taobao

taobao — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:31:27 +0000

I’m glad I found your site through google , really enjoyed it. Thank you..

By: VVS

VVS — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:45:26 +0000

Those are some absolutly amazing dresses, great photos also!

By: Karen Peterson

Karen Peterson — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:45:17 +0000

I used to love to go into the Cuckoo’s Nest. It was where I bought a most beautiful dress and later a pair of silver earrings. I still have one of them. The aesthetic was so lush; the girls so loving and sweet. If I close my eyes, I can still see it and smell the lovely fragrances. I miss that store. I miss those days and people. How wonderful it would be if a store like that opened again in Portland. All sorts of artists sold their wares, and one never knew who you might see.

By: Susan Merrick (now, Me'irah Iliinsky)

Susan Merrick (now, Me'irah Iliinsky) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 21:58:49 +0000

Origins of the Cuckoo’s Nest:
Dear Folks, I am approaching the age of a senior. At least now, my silver hair gets me a side seat at the front of the bus.
I had occasion today to remember The Cuckoo’s Nest, as I, along with Linny Bacon, were the original owners/developers/visonaries of the “first boutique” in Portland Oregon. The name indeed come from the novel by Ken Kesey, however, he himself didn’t name it. Linny took the name from his book. Her husband, at the time Dexter Bacon, was a sculptor, and his work, along with that of Joe Police graced the store. Joe’s wife Sue also sewed for us. Linny and I had to sew a dress a day in order to keep the store stocked, and they began with our own designs. I left after about a year, and correctly, the block was “urban renewed” not too many years after we opened the store. I was 19 at the time, Linny a bit older.

By: Toby Ladick

Toby Ladick — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:29:08 +0000

Cheers for this excellent blog post. I am keen to see more on this topic in the future. Cheers again

By: betsey johnson

betsey johnson — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:33:15 +0000

wonderful pictures.

By: Milla

Milla — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:08:33 +0000

Oh my Goddess Amber!
I just got back from my trip and perusing trough my favorite internets came upon this post. It is such a delight I am just dying for a time machine to visit the rack’s of “The Nest” with ya’ll, what a trip…

Thank you so much for sharing this treasure from the past ladies and please post more pics Amber, they’re lovely beyond words.

By: Bill Reinhardt

Bill Reinhardt — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:27:44 +0000

I’m jazzed to see such a creative shrine to the memory of the Cuckoo’s Nest, It symbolized the energy and culture of those halcyon times in Portland. I was very much involved in the social scene that Julie’s place was an integral part of. My girlfriend, Susan Kearney worked there and I spent many languid afternoons in the store and little cafe. (Susan claims she still has an original dress she treasures from the store).

This lovely photo blog really captures the spirit and tempo of those early ‘fashion hippie’ days in the N.W. I remember meeting James Kiehle, writer ‘One Dollar Magazine’ for lunch at Cuckoo’s for the 1st time, he was a big fan. I worked as the Program Director at KBOO radio and later joined Storefront Theater. Two good friends and thespian collaborators, Rick Young and Robin Chilstrom were Cuckoo alumni. Julie’s store launched the careers of many talented artists. It touched many hearts and minds who still share vivid memories of her crafts.

The early 70′s in Portland wes a special time for me and the Cuckoo’s Nest was an important part of our shared experience and youthful endeavors. As goes our youth, it was there and gone too soon. I’m glad its being revived as a historical treasure in photos and stories.

-Bill

By: Sasha Feather

Sasha Feather — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:30:28 +0000

That’s my mom at the top, Renee Ehmann!

By: Elizabeth (Julie's niece)

Elizabeth (Julie's niece) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:22:50 +0000

STUNNING! This is such an inspiring website. I have been fortunate to know Julie my whole life, and gotten to hear about and see many of the places she worked, including The Cuckoo’s Nest. Of course, I was but three years old and have musty recollections of the basement there and magical memories of being a child walking through her store. I love the pictures: of Julie, of Jody, and especially of Katie modeling the 1971 muslin and headpiece – so fabulous. YES, Julie was and still is a treasure of intuition, creativity and vitality. We are blessed to have her here with us, and I am blessed to call her family.