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Fur store set to flee Portland

Dogged by protesters, Schumacher Furs dumps downtown

By Frank Lenzi

KPAM 860, Nov 28, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (7 Reader comments)

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The owner of a fur clothing retailer in downtown Portland said Tuesday his store will leave Multnomah County in the spring due to security concerns and poor shopping conditions in the city's urban core.

Gregg and Linda Schumacher, owners of Schumacher Furs & Outerwear at 811 S.W. Morrison St., have publicly sparred with city officials over the city's handling of protesters. The animal rights activists have targeted the store for a year, and Gregg Schumacher says Mayor Tom Potter, Portland city commissioners and the Portland Police Bureau failed to enforce laws downtown to protect customers.

"The protesters did have an effect on our company. And to be quite frank with you, we're tired of dealing with it," Schumacher told KPAM news. "We have heard over and over from our clientele and our customer base that they do not feel safe coming downtown, so I am doing what [they] wish me to do and moving to a place that's secure, safe and business friendly."

Schumacher did not disclose the location of the future store but said it would be in "another county" and would be about a 15 or 20-minute drive from the current store, which will remain open through the winter months.

In June, Potter attempted to bring the Schumachers together with animal rights groups to mediate a resolution to the dispute between the store owners and protesters, which, at times, had turned violent. On June 17, police arrested a Schumacher supporter after he shoved a female protester to the ground outside the store. But the Schumachers refused to meet with activists, who requested the store place labels on its clothes saying animals were mistreated to make the products.

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Reader comments

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

I hope it's Clackamas county.

""

(email verified)

Tue, Nov 28, 2006 at 11:58 AM

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

GOOD. Good riddens! It is about time.

"Aayla"

(email verified)

Wed, Nov 29, 2006 at 12:05 AM

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

A sad result of mismanagement by those trusted to govern the city. How many businesses have left down town for many of the same reasons? Shame on the protesters> You guys better not eat meat, wear any leather (shoes, belts,jackets,car seats) eat for with animal by products (many cookies, doughnuts or baked goods) hypocrites!

Shumacher is only trying to support his family in a honest,legal business. He contributes to our economy and (attention mayor and leadership) the tax base. What's that sucking sound??? Oh business and jobs leaving Downtown Portland!-Doug T.

"Doug Trimble"

(email verified)

Wed, Nov 29, 2006 at 12:17 AM

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

Doug, come back when you actually know the Schumacher family and not the news stories of them.

"Jack"

(email verified)

Wed, Nov 29, 2006 at 12:31 AM

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

Mayor Potter and most members of the Portland city council act like weak-kneed permissive parents who refuse to control their children when it comes to dealing with that band of unpleasant protesters who have nothing better to do than try and force this fur merchant out of business. If Portland politicians don't begin to protect and support the city center business community downtown may someday resemble a ghost town.

"Bosco Boyle"

(email verified)

Wed, Nov 29, 2006 at 01:53 AM

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

The Schumacher's have been good to our community and supported the city for the past 140 years. To them I offer my thanks. Their business employed people who paid income taxes on what they earned which helped all of us live better lives in the community. So another business is leaving along with the income taxes they paid from which we all benefited. The Schumacher's products were legally sold and they are the victims of selfish self centered people who have nothing better to do than make arbitrary judgements against law abiding citizens who have contributed to the community for over a century. If the anti-fur cause was just they would be able to outlaw the use of fur through legislation, but alas their heavy handedness ruins any chance of that happening because they look and act like terrorists. People who act foolishly in public garner no respect in public except from their own social circles.

"Embarrassed to call Portland home"

(email verified)

Wed, Nov 29, 2006 at 10:20 AM

Re: Fur store set to flee Portland

Jack, I'm Back. I know the Schmacher family from a customers standpoint only. I have enjoyed professional and friendly service in their store. I enjoy doing business with independently owned retail stores. Schumacher is a fine example of the quality and service you can get only from a family owned business. -Doug