“Went in looking for recommendations for something lighthearted and queer, and I chose the perfect spot! They were so sweet, and gave a ton of amazing recommendations with just enough to have me intrigued about every books shown. I'll certainly be back for more. It's so clear there is a passion and love for the goods being sold here, it has a bit of everything but that curated human touch sets it above and beyond. Love this place!”
“Powell’s City of Books in Portland is such an amazing place to visit. The place is huge, with so many sections to explore, and you can easily spend hours walking around and discovering something interesting. I loved how unique and historic it feels, with shelves full of new and used books, gifts, and little surprises everywhere. It’s definitely a must visit spot in Portland, especially for anyone who loves books, stories, or just exploring special places.”
“This bookstore is wonderful. I love it because it’s the perfect size to browse and take your time choosing books without feeling overwhelmed. The staff is always friendly and very helpful. It’s a great place to spend some time if you love books.”
“Wonderful bookstore!! Have found several new favorite books here including Dara Baldwin’s, “To Be A Problem A Black Woman's Survival in the Racist Disability Rights Movement.” Just attended an awesome author talk with Dara Baldwin. An important conversation with insight, wit, and truth-I only wish more of the disability rights community was there!”
“I have had such wonderful customer service from this Bulk Bookstore! This has become my go to for books. In dealing with 1200 middle school students, I need things to be simplified. My rep, Missy, is the most helpful rep I deal with. She makes my life easier easier by being so responsive and helpful. Can't recommend Bulk Bookstore enough!”
“I appreciate the low pressure staff, you can go in and not talk to anyone if that's your wish. I love that they have places to sit and read, and there's a very decent selection of books for a small store!!”
“This cozy bookstore is bursting at the seams with charm and warm energy! From the book selection to the owner, it's a wonderful place to spend time perusing and supporting!”
“Great independent bookstore in a convenient, walkable location. The staff specializes in curating a unique collection of used books and can special order anything not in stock, new or used. This is a relaxing analog antidote to modern retail, with great prices!”
“What a super cute store! I found some wild old pulp novels here, and the store just keeps going and going to get to the back rooms. Tons of children's books back there, manga, nonfiction, great stuff”
“I recently ordered a rather rare set of books on intellectual life in the American South. These were dispatched with haste and delivered quickly. The volumes themselves are precisely as advertised, in crisp and attractive condition. I heartily recommend this bookshop for online purchases (especially for those of us who are ordering from abroad). Many thanks for helping me track down these books.”
“Neat little independent book store. We were there for an event with Rowan Kingsbury on their back patio. It's very kid oriented and I appreciated that the staff struck up conversations with our kids about books.”
“Such a lovely bookstore, I've found so many treasures in the random stacks on the floor! The staff is very knowledgeable and will go out of their way to track down anything you're looking for. If you need a book, and/or yarn, support a local business!”
“Had a tarot card reading at Jan's and it was positive. I felt like it was what I needed to hear. Reader is there from 11 to 1 pm on Saturdays. Jan's also supports the community by showing other places of interest. Not an ordinary bookstore, great place to get books.”
“Favorite bookstore in Portland! They have a huge selection of both used and new sci-fi and fantasy books. Everyone who works there is super friendly and creates a cool vibe. They also have several rare editions, including some signed copies. Love this place!”
“What a lovely shop in the heart of St.Johns! They had something for everyone: book lovers, yarn enthusiasts, unique souvenirs, and kids items. Plenty of free street parking. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. A must-stop if you are in the area and shop local!”
“This place is adorable. Stopped by today for the first time and will definitely be back. Got some unique washi tape and postcards I have never seen elsewhere. ??”
“Always a wonderful place to visit. I was disappointed to see they no longer had the Home/Garden store next door. Selection was great. Staff helped us out several times.”
“Let me tell you, this bookshop is so cool. It’s a small shop in the awesome north Portland neighborhood of St. Johns. And basically, if it’s not in there, you don’t need to read it. 😉 This place is a social justice haven. They have so many cool new and used books, paper ephemera, vinyl, and other cool stuff you didn’t even know you needed. They also buy and sell. They have kids books too. I was in there the other day and this little girl had her own little credit at the store and was so proud to be buying and selling books on her own. (parents were there too!) I think that’s really good for our kids. I could tell she felt good about herself. Brian, the owner is a great guy.. He is quite knowledgeable and knows his store! Sometimes I just go in to shoot the breeze. Definitely worth a visit.”
“I enjoy quirky nooks and books and coffeehouses. All in one? Yes please. With a pay parking off street behind the building I don’t even have to search for a spot.”
“This is a great place if you are into anything occult, witchcraft, or esoteric related. The owner specializes in rare books but sells a wide variety of books still in print. Dark Star Magick also has classes on a variety of subjects in the field. It is worth an in person if you are in surroundings cities and of course you can order from the store online.”
“Such a cute store! I was surprised at how much versatile inventory they had. I ended up buying a body oil and candle for my partner. The associate was very helpful too!”
“Could a bookstore be any more like a bookstore?! This shelvy joint is charming and humble. Enjoying a latte while reading a new book is an enhanced experience in this bookstore. There’s a little stage for performances and an outdoor area that’s simple and cute. Thank you for existing.”
“Oh my word. What an incredible spot. Specifically impressed with their selection of niche history and non-fiction, and their cookbooks are incredible. Niche stores with an incredibly friendly environment. Teagan deserves a special shoutout for being so kind and friendly. A must-stop shop!”
“There’s a wide range of art an architecture and design books available, as well as ephemera of all sorts. Small, but if you’re seeking something artistic, they’ve likely got it.”
“Always worth the stop. Kinokuniya is one of my favorite stationery stores. My city of S.F. has one & I always make sure to pop in whenever I'm in the neighborhood to see what's new. And if I'm visiting a city & find out they have one, I have to make a stop. This wasn't my first time at the Portland store, and it definitely won't be my last. You can find some incredible office supplies & stationery here, including items that have won Japanese awards. This stuff functions like nothing else you'll find at your standard American office supply store, that's for sure. It's well made, and it's obvious the people who design these things take pride in what they do. I always know I'm going to find a bunch of things I want to take home with me. It's like finding a good bookstore... you could easily lose track of time in there. The people are super friendly like many Trader Joe's staff, where they tell you what they like, make cute little comments on what you picked out, and offer to help if you haven't found what you came in for. They're happy, too. This time I was hoping to find a little 4x6 notebook (a ledger of sorts) w/ columns & rows. I've bought it before & usually grab two at a time, so I thought I'd pop in & see if the Portland store had it. They only had the larger size, so I'm guessing people love that little book as much as I do... it's obviously popular! I didn't find that, but I still left w/ other things of course. My youngest is an artist & she absolutely loves going there too. It's a store that always makes me (us!) happy.”
“Wonderful store, the owners are so kind and helpful. I was really impressed with some of the books they’ve collected. Their $2 book cart was full of an awesome selection.”
“Small shop but it has one of the best-curated selection of books I’ve ever seen: fiction, poetry, philosophy, small magazines, lots of translated stuff.”
“Portland has fantastic kid‘s bookstores, so it’s extremely hard to make a choice (why am I doing this anyway?) Hands down, this one is my favorite. Brilliantly curated and super knowledgeable staff.”
“Such a peaceful place to shop for journals, crystals, tarot, books, clothing, incense, reusable mugs/ thermos, lovely jewelry and more! Local tarot readers, psychics, and healers are available to chat with. It's a beautiful ecclectic space that's perfect for calming the mind.”
“Very friendly staff. The store has a great collection of classics, science fiction, cookbooks, non-fiction, and more! 😍 I found it really cute that they bundle books and movies with candy and/or popcorn for movie nights. Highly recommend for book lovers to stop by; my husband and I look forward to visiting again.”
Barnes & Noble is proving that physical bookstores aren't going anywhere. The retailer just opened three new locations across Texas and South Carolina, marking another step in its comeback story. Barnes & Noble opened 57 stores in 2024 alone - more than it had opened in the entire decade from 2009 to 2019. The company isn't slowing down either, with plans to open more than 60 new stores in 2025 and a goal of reaching over 1,000 stores nationwide in the coming years.
