Hoodoo Antiques Store

Posted: 10.01.2025 | Updated: 10.11.2025

Hoodoo Antiques Store, located at 122 NW Couch Street in Portland, Oregon, was a haven for collectors of vintage treasures, rare antiques, and curiosities. Although the store closed its doors in 2025, its reputation as a site of unexplained phenomena and paranormal activity has lingered in the city’s haunted lore. 

Visitors reported shadowy figures, sudden temperature drops, and objects moving seemingly of their own accord, making Hoodoo Antiques a must-see for paranormal enthusiasts. For those drawn to haunted locations and mysterious histories, guided tours with Portland Ghosts offer an opportunity to explore Portland’s eerie past, including stories from Hoodoo Antiques Store.

Is Hoodoo Antiques Store Haunted? 

Many who entered Hoodoo Antiques reported encounters that defy explanation. Patrons spoke of fleeting shadows moving across aisles, whispering voices that seemed to come from nowhere, and sudden cold spots that chilled the air. 

Employees claimed to feel an unseen presence when no one else was around and sometimes heard footsteps or soft whispers echoing throughout the empty store. The store’s unusual collection of antiques—each carrying its own history—seemed to amplify the eerie sensations. 

Visitors frequently described the sensation of being watched by unseen eyes, and some claimed items would mysteriously shift from their places, as if guided by invisible hands.

History of the Hoodoo Antiques Store

Established in 1994, Hoodoo Antiques & Design was a fixture in Portland’s Old Town district, located at 122 NW Couch Street, nestled between Voodoo Doughnut and the Portland Saturday Market. 

The store specialized in a diverse array of vintage and antique items, including mid-century furnishings, nautical artifacts, folk art, and industrial relics. Its eclectic inventory attracted collectors, interior designers, and curious passersby, all drawn to the unique blend of history and artistry that each piece represented. 

Over the years, Hoodoo Antiques became known not only for its distinctive merchandise but also for the mysterious and unexplained occurrences that seemed to accompany its treasures. The store’s reputation for the supernatural grew as numerous visitors and employees reported eerie experiences. 

Accounts of shadowy figures, sudden cold spots, and objects moving without explanation became commonplace. One of the most persistent tales involved a portrait of a woman in a lace bonnet, whose apparition was said to appear in reflections and even move across the room. 

These stories contributed to Hoodoo Antiques’ status as one of Portland’s most haunted locations. Despite its closure in 2025, the legacy of Hoodoo Antiques continues to intrigue those interested in the intersection of history and the paranormal.

Hauntings of Hoodoo Antiques Store

The hauntings at Hoodoo Antiques Store were varied and persistent. Visitors and staff reported:

• Shadowy figures flitting between aisles.
  
• Sudden cold spots and unexplained drafts.
  
• Objects moving without contact or explanation.
  
• Soft whispers or moaning sounds in empty rooms.
  
• Apparitions appearing in reflective surfaces.
  

Many described the atmosphere as heavy, with a palpable sense of presence, as though the store itself were alive with spirits tied to the antiques and their histories.

The Lady in the Lace Bonnet

The most enduring tale from Hoodoo Antiques involved a portrait of a woman in a lace bonnet, often referred to as the Lady in the Lace Bonnet. Visitors reported that the woman’s eyes seemed to follow them across the store, while others claimed to see her apparition floating silently through the aisles.

Some employees said the painting would occasionally appear in reflections, such as in glass cabinets or mirrors, even if it was facing away from them. Patrons described feeling sudden chills or a heavy presence near the portrait, and on several occasions, motion sensors were triggered despite no one being nearby.

Over time, the Lady in the Lace Bonnet became the focal point of Hoodoo Antiques’ haunted reputation. Many claimed that she was tied to the history of one of the antiques, perhaps a long-deceased former owner or someone connected to the store’s earlier location. 

Her presence was described as both sorrowful and vigilant, giving the impression of a spirit who lingered to protect the shop’s treasures.

Other Ghostly activity

Beyond the Lady in the Lace Bonnet, Hoodoo Antiques Store reportedly hosted a variety of ghostly phenomena that left visitors and employees uneasy. Many people reported sudden and inexplicable drops in temperature, sometimes so severe that their breath became visible inside the store. 

Shadows were frequently seen moving at the edge of vision, disappearing when approached, while lights flickered sporadically even when circuits were stable. Patrons occasionally heard footsteps echoing along empty aisles or the soft scraping of chairs and cabinets being moved, though no one was present to make the noise.

Some visitors described hearing low murmurs or faint whispers, often sounding like conversations from the distant past. Others claimed objects—books, vases, or small antiques—would shift or fall without explanation, as though unseen hands were rearranging them. 

On rare occasions, people reported seeing full figures gliding silently between the aisles or catching glimpses of faces reflected in mirrors and glass displays that vanished when examined closely. The energy in certain parts of the store was said to be particularly heavy, especially near the oldest or most historically significant items. 

Some patrons felt an almost sentient presence, as if spirits were watching, guiding, or even interacting with them. Others reported a sensation of being followed by an unseen entity, particularly when wandering the far corners of the store. 

These cumulative experiences contributed to Hoodoo Antiques’ reputation as a hotspot for ghostly activity, making it a magnet for those seeking encounters with the unexplained.

Haunted Portland

Although Hoodoo Antiques Store has permanently closed, its stories remain part of Portland’s haunted narrative. Ghost tours with Portland Ghosts provide visitors with a safe and guided opportunity to explore the city’s paranormal history.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, ghost investigator, or simply curious about the city’s eerie past, these tours bring the ghostly stories of Portland to life, offering firsthand accounts, historical context, and spine-chilling experiences.

Follow Portland Ghosts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and check our blog for updates and more stories from Portland’s haunted locations.

Sources:

1. https://bendbulletin.com/2007/07/29/keeping-portland-weird/?utm_
2. https://psuvanguard.com/portlands-mysteries/?utm_
3. https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/haunted-places-portland/?utm_
4. https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/hoodoo-antiques/
5. https://grandmarketplacepdx.com/project/hoodoo-antiques/?utm_
6. https://lostoregon.org/2019/09/08/portlands-famous-ghosts/