Downtown 44 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine made at Durham’s studio space in Norway. The flagship store is stylishly spare, with wide expanses of wood floorboards and in- dustrial metal racks bedecked with bags. “The emphasis is on being functional, but our bags are proof that something well- made and functional can turn out beauti- ful,” Shulte says. ust a few blocks away you’ll find another handbag connoisseur, this time with an Italian heritage. O Bag on Middle Street is one of eleven U.S. locations representing the European brand. The concept here is often likened to adult Build-A-Bear, where customers create their own custom bags by choosing the components from rows of bags, handles, liners, watch faces, and other accessories in a dazzle of color schemes, all dripping and dangling from the walls. Assistant manager Bayley Hamilton says customers “spend hours in here planning out their bags.” Across the way on Exchange Street, bou- tique Peyote Moon [pictured above] is a champion of high-end handmade style. Owner Bridget Lenahan threw open her doors last year, featuring wares that are “timeless and committed to slow fashion, not the stuff you buy and throw out season after season.” The shop has a Southwestern flavor, with turquoise rings, denim jackets, and dream catchers aplenty. A mix of vintage and con- temporary clothes hangs from the walls. Most of the items are made in small batches from independent designers. “These are heirloom pieces that will last a lifetime,” Lenahan says. And the prices do promote that expectation. A vintage Grate- ful Dead T-shirt will set you back $248. Lenahan was initially terrified that busi- ness would slump during the winter, but business has been steady. “I’ve put literally everything into this store,” she says. “Each step is exciting but a little nerve-wracking.” Bars & Baristas Two newcomers have moved in opposite each other on Wharf Street–the epicenter of Portland’s raucous summer nightlife. Mark Deane, owner of Rosie’s, Mark’s Place, and Old Port Slice Bar and Ice Bar, established “We’recommittedtoslowfashion”–BridgetLenahan,PeyoteMoon Restaurants and bars are the kings and queens of Portland commerce, but this year, the en- tertainment contingent made some bold moves. Gabe Letourneau moved HUD Gaming Lounge from Biddeford to Congress Street. His idea is to create a comfortable environment for serious gamers to ply their trade and even compete with others internationally. The interior is dimly lit, with projvectors streaming gaming competitions and animations on the walls. House music plays on a loop in the back- ground. Gaming stations allow patrons to play consoles like XBox and Playstation from low leather couches. Traditionalists can take a seat in front of the many high-performance desktops, custom built by Letourneau and his associates. “We built this from the perspective of gamers,” Letourneau says. “You need to have comfortable seats, you need to have some snacks–Doritos and Mountain Dew–for fuel.” It’s not all gourmet in Portland. Inspired by South Korean LAN gaming centers called PC Bangs, HUD is outfitted with some of the fastest public internet in Maine. More than simply sitting folks down in front of screens, Le- tourneau sees HUD as a community space for gamers to meet, network, and learn. “We get every age group here at different times of the day. Younger kids come in with their parents during the day, and then at 2 a.m. you get a comparatively older crowd.” Those who enjoy their games off-screen can head to the newly renovated Bayside Bowl– with eight new lanes, a bar, a taco truck, and a rooftop space. The exterior also got a facelift and now shines as a beacon of Bayside’s revitalization efforts–a funhouse mirror of what’s happening on Middle Street. “For years we’ve had long waits for lanes and waitlists to join leagues,” says partner Charlie Mitchell. “We want to accommodate all the folks who want to join the party. Fun & Gamers