Broadway Books is a small, independent, women-owned bookstore that has been serving the northeast Portland and Portland's literary community since 1992. The store specializes in literary fiction, history/current events, and memoir/biography, and also has healthy sections in poetry, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, and books for young readers, as well as other sections. They sell mostly new books but have a small-but-well-curated selection of used books, as well as greeting cards, journals, and other sidelines. Broadway Books hosts author events in their store, except in July and August, and customers can check their website for scheduled events and curated reading lists. Customers appreciate the store's smaller collection and personal service, with friendly and knowledgeable employees who are always happy to chat about books. The store is described as a "neighborhood treasure" with a "legendary" status like Powell's but without the crowds. Customers enjoy the experience of wandering the store and finding books they may not be able to find elsewhere. The store also offers special ordering for books they don't have in stock, and customers often see regular visitors coming in for their orders. Overall, Broadway Books is praised for its selection, knowledge, and longevity, as well as its friendly and helpful staff, making it a popular destination for book lovers in the Portland area.
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!!
April 2026
Delightful experience! Great staff, good selection, and wonderful selection. Easily one of my favorite book shops.
March 2026
Great local bookstore, very easy to support when I love reading. The staff is very friendly, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Highly recommend
