The Local Legends of Lake Oswego: Small Businesses Worth Falling in Love With
Lake Oswego · Community Photo
After more than twenty-five years of calling Lake Oswego home, one lifelong Oregonian decided the community needed a genuine hub for its local makers — and built it herself.
The Grove: A Twenty-Five-Year Local's Dream Becomes Lake Oswego's Makers' Market
Molly Walton is a proud native Oregonian and longtime Lake Oswego resident of more than twenty-five years before she finally fulfilled a long-held aspiration: opening The Grove, a Makers' Market, Boutique, and Gift Shop, in April 2018. That depth of genuine local roots shows in everything about how the shop operates — Molly built The Grove specifically to showcase the talents of the community's own artisans rather than importing a generic boutique concept from somewhere else.
The Grove's curated collection reflects that local-first philosophy directly — enchanting candles, bespoke jewelry, captivating artwork, fresh plants, books, stationery, scarves, and stylish clothing, all sourced from local makers whose work Molly has personally selected. Beyond the retail experience, The Grove offers hands-on classes suitable for all ages, ranging from succulent planting workshops to candle-making sessions, and the shop is available for private party reservations where Molly describes memories being crafted amid genuine camaraderie and creativity. The description that locals consistently use says it best: The Grove is a neighborhood makers market and gift boutique, not simply another retail storefront.
Why locals love them: A boutique built by someone who has genuinely lived in Lake Oswego for more than two decades, filled exclusively with work from the community's own talented makers, and designed as much for hands-on creative connection as for shopping.
Why Local Businesses Matter to Lake Oswego
Molly Walton's decision to finally open The Grove after twenty-five years of calling Lake Oswego home reflects exactly what makes this community's small business scene so genuine: entrepreneurs whose roots run deep enough that supporting local makers feels less like a business strategy and more like a natural extension of belonging to the place itself.
FAQ: Supporting Local Businesses in Lake Oswego
Which local businesses should I support in Lake Oswego? Lake Oswego is home to The Grove, a neighborhood makers' market and gift boutique founded by longtime resident Molly Walton, showcasing handmade candles, jewelry, art, and more from the community's own local artisans.
Why are small businesses important to a community? As The Grove demonstrates, locally founded businesses create dedicated platforms for a community's own makers and artisans, keeping creative talent and economic opportunity rooted within the neighborhood rather than flowing elsewhere.
Discover More Local Favorites in Lake Oswego
Discover more amazing local businesses that make our community special — explore Discover Lake Oswego. Support the heart of our community — see more neighborhood favorites featured here.
References:
The Grove. (n.d.). About. https://www.thegrovelo.com/about-4
