And why would anyone named Robin call her business Vivienne? Vivienne is the French spelling of the name and represents the idea of a Grandmother – Robin’s Wheelright’s best version of a Grandmother – to give people that comforting, genuine feeling when they walk into her Vivienne Kitchen and Pantry, Portlands newest Culinary Bookstore! And to make the feeling even more real, there’s a portrait of dear Vivienne in the store. It’s similar to the Betty Crocker mystique as pointed out by our own Sarah Masoni. Vivienne Kitchen & Pantry is a relaunch, a very ambitious relaunch, of Robin’s former restaurant. The old model before lockdown just didn’t work going forward, so Robin completely changed the layout and offering of her store to be more community-based. Instead of a traditional menu, Vivienne has culinary books to cover the spectrum of recipes and food related stories. And Robin has continued the afternoon bake shop from her earlier restaurant plus she serves a variety of sandwiches. She also has kept many of the take-and-bake items from her original restaurant offerings during the lockdown. In addition, there is a European-style bar, featuring foods and selected natural wines not available anywhere else in the neighborhood. She also offers cookbook workshops for those who wish to further their expertise in the art of food. Patrons are taught from a particular cookbook recipe, learn the techniques for the dish they are preparing, and leave with the cookbook to continue their exploration in their own kitchen. And for those who cook at home, there is a shop full of vintage and new cookware. Vivienne is a two-woman run business, so everything is handled, molded and cooked by Robin. Also, Robin’s background and education is in minimal waste and she is most pleased to call Vivienne a zero-waste business. The café and pantry is a work in progress, however. To launch, Robin started a crowd funding campaign, and is in fact in the middle of another one. Ordering books and cookware, let alone baking supplies, takes capital and Robin wants to raise it from the community she desires to serve. Her café is a “connecting point”, a place of food and comfort blended with a library devoted to food and food’s important place in our lives. Vivienne is located in a great community also, in the heart of Portland, Oregon’s Hollywood district which is a mix of traditional and gentrified living.

"Masoni and Marshall the meaningful Marketplace" with your hosts Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall

We record the "the Meaningful Marketplace" inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. 

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers 
Show logo design: Anton Kimball of Kimball Design 
Production Coordinators: Dave Drusky