The Hoodland Bazaar is one of the best kept secrets in the Mount Hood area. Locals may already know about this land of imported exotic gifts, tucked away in the back of the Hoodland Plaza Shopping Center. But it’s easy to miss for visitors driving up Highway 26 past Welches on their way to the slopes.

The Hoodland Bazaar this holiday season wants to draw those visitors off the highway and into the store to explore the bounty of unique items. The bazaar has started a promotional campaign to get the secret out in the Portland metro area and neighboring communities, such as Lake Oswego, Sandy and Gresham.

Major attractions such as handmade lamps from Turkey and Persian rugs made in Afghanistan make up most of the imported inventory, but it has so much more in store. There’s home decor, sterling silver jewelry, stone jewelry, rocks and crystals to name a few.

“We have clothes and Mount Hood souvenirs as well,” Hoodland Bazaar co-owner AJ Kamahwee said. “The majority of the store is taken up by the homemade Turkish lamps.”

The exquisitely decorated lamps illuminate the shop in brilliant colors as rugs with intricately-stitched designs lie in stacks and hang from ceiling to floor throughout the space. As more visitors discover the secret of the little shop hidden in the shopping center in the foothills of Mount Hood, Kamahwee hopes they will spread the word.

“If they visit and come inside the store, they love it,” Kamahwee said. “They appreciate it. We have a beautiful store. They love it inside.”

AJ and his brother and co-owner, Khalid Kamahwee, opened the Hoodland Bazaar in June 2023. Born and raised in Afghanistan, AJ Kamahwee worked as a translator for the U.S. Army and the Marines before moving to Eastern Oregon. Then, on a trip through the Mt. Hood area, he found the natural beauty and the store space available for what would become Hoodland Bazaar.

Khalid moved this summer from Afghanistan to join AJ in their new enterprise. Khalid is the geology and rock enthusiast of the pair.

AJ touts his shop’s selection of handmade Lapis Lazuli jewelry made with the semi-precious stone mined in his native Afghanistan. The stunning royal blue stone has metallic yellow pyrite highlights.

When he’s not working and setting up a new home decor display at the store, AJ Kamahwee enjoys the outdoors, particularly kayaking and hiking.

The Hoodland Bazaar is open Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.
to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They’re located at 68278 Highway 26, Unit 21, Welches. Give them a call at (503) 564-9001.