A taste of London will soon be joining the store fronts in Campustown.

Portobello Road, a business on Welch Avenue near Paddy’s, is store owner Talia Jensen’s dream come true.

A 2009 graduate from Iowa State University, Jensen got her degree in apparel merchandise design and production with a minor in entrepreneurial studies.

“This is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,” Jensen said, “I wanted a job that reflected my major, but still allowed me to work for myself and implement my own ideas and this was really the only way I could do it.”

Jensen’s inspiration for her new business endeavor lies across the ocean at the original Portobello Road Market in London, England.

The original Portobello Road is located in the Notting Hill district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London. The market is open to patrons throughout the week, with Saturdays being notably busy. The market is famous for second hand clothes and antiques. In addition to that, every August it is the location for the Portobello Film Festival.

Following this example, Portobello Road in Ames carries a wide variety of unique fashion and vintage merchandise as well as dorm décor. All of the clothes Jensen sells come from other companies and designers, but she also adds her own creative touch by changing minor details.

“My passion is putting together displays,” Jensen said, “I’m not really interested in designing my own clothes. I get all of the clothes I sell from other designers in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. I just alter them slightly with dyes and bleach to add my own personal touch.”

The grand opening for the store is scheduled for August 25, with a special opening party on the 24th for friends and family. The store will be open every day but Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. During the weeks leading up to the grand opening she will be passing out cards with special deals on them to people she meets.

“I’m hoping the opening is going to go great,” Jensen said, “and in the future I am hoping to incorporate some Iowa State design students to help me in my store.”