Meet Our Retailers: Shift + Wheeler

We’re continuing our series highlighting small, independent boutiques, markets, and retailers across the country, and next up is Shift + Wheeler. Run by co-owners Nick and Becky and located in the coastal town of Astoria, Oregon, Shift Wheeler is part clothing boutique, part bag studio, and all about community.

Specializing in plus-size clothing and waxed canvas bags, their shop also features curated goods from other makers that share their values of collaboration and sustainability. For Becky, the best part of having a physical space is the customers. “We get to meet the COOLEST people. Literally, we have the best, cutest, funniest customers,” she says.

What makes Shift + Wheeler unique is their dedication to crafting everything in-house. Becky designs and sews the clothing, focusing on natural fibers and styles like pinafores, shirts, and coats, while Nick creates bags ranging from fanny packs to travel duffels. “We’re stubborn about how we like things to look,” Becky says. Their shop is not only a creative workspace but also a community hub. As Becky puts it, “Our tagline is ‘For fats and queers and everyone else,’ and we have it printed LARGE at the front of our shop.”

Running a small business in a rural town comes with its fair share of challenges. For Shift + Wheeler, things like marketing and rising material costs have been hard to navigate. “Fast fashion has duped everyone into thinking you can get a shirt for $4,” Becky says, calling out the unrealistic expectations it creates. Even with these hurdles, Becky and Nick are staying focused on their bigger goals—growing their operation, expanding production, and, most importantly, keeping their space a welcoming home for everyone, especially marginalized folks.

Whether you’re drawn in by their thoughtful designs or their commitment to inclusive values, Shift + Wheeler is a testament to the power of small businesses in creating meaningful connections and lasting impact.