[mhays]

If Portland is the example it's a poor one. Even on its best neighborhood avenues (Hawthorne etc.) the retail is concentrated and otherwise spotty. Same here in somewhat-denser Seattle.

London is only the poster child for the "high street" format. Paris too. Barcelona also has solid retail avenues through town. And Athens. And basically everywhere I've been. I haven't been to Scandinavia so maybe it's different there.