April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day, a one-day national party to celebrate the fact that despite the threat of Amazon, indie bookstores are making a comeback.
Unfortunately, the revival comes too late to save Lake Oswego’s former bookstores including Graham’s. But we do lay claim to one bookstore currently: The Booktique, a used bookstore operated by The Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library.
And a short jaunt into Portland will satisfy the book addict in each of us from the city-block icon Powell’s to Green Bean children’s bookstore in the Alberta Arts District. But in today’s retail environment where many brick-and-mortar stores are closing, how do experts explain the independent bookstores that manage to navigate this ever-changing consumer landscape?
It’s about the three C’s, according to Ruyan Raffaelli, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School and author of a working academic paper, “Reinventing Retail: The Novel Resurgence of Independent Bookstores.”
Community—Indie bookstores are capitalizing on the “Shop local” trend, tapping into that sentiment to create relationships and foster community.
Curation. Independent bookstores are finding their strengths which rely more on curating inventories that create a more personal and individualized experience. Rather than just featuring bestsellers, they often give shelf space to debut authors, local writers and/or typically unexplored genres. This gives each bookstore its own personality, veering away from the one-size-fits-all impression you get when you see the same titles recommended by celebrity book clubs and featured in bestseller roundups.
Convening. Indie bookstores have also become community gathering places, offering author talks, storytimes, book signings and more. It’s their equivalent of a “loss leader”—a product sold at a loss to draw in customers. Once inside their four walls, bookstores are finding that customers find reasons to explore and shop.
Luckily for those of us who love to read, indie bookstores have found a way to survive (even after the pandemic). And luckily for us, we live in the Portland metro area, easily ranked on many surveys as one of the Top 10 Most Well-Read Cities in America. Here are some independent bookstores to check out.
POWELL’S WORLD OF BOOKS. I have to start the list with the bookstore that makes the city’s list of top attractions. With over two million new and used titles in stock, Powell’s dispels any notion that indie means small. And it’s a perfect example of all the three C’s I talked about earlier: they host over 500 author events a year, in addition to children’s storytimes, writing workshops, game demonstrations, and book clubs. “Shelf-talkers” (note cards that hang over shelves with handwritten notes from bookstore staff explaining why they love a book) are everywhere offering a personal touch to recommendations. Powell’s staff have created an experience for the book lover that he or she won’t find online or at Barnes and Noble.
BROADWAY BOOKS. We’re a bit partial to Broadway Books seeing that they carried copies of Riley’s novel, Waiting at Hayden’s. (If they’re out, just ask them to order it). But that fits their profile—they like to feature emerging writers alongside established ones. Their tagline is: A Great Little Store with Great Big Service and they pride themselves on knowing their customers and their tastes. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 1714 NE Broadway, 503.284.1726.
PASSAGES BOOKSHOP AND GALLERY. Looking to expand your reading horizon? Enter Passages Bookshop which specializes in modern poetry, literature, avant-garde art, book arts, fine printing and artist’s books, signed and inscribed copies and limited editions, and rare and unusual books. They host readings, book launches, lectures, music and artist receptions tied into their regularly changing exhibitions. To give you an idea of the fact that this is not your typical big-box bookstore, a few years back they enlisted 18 readers in a four-plus hour marathon reading of Ronald Johnson’s ARK. Hours: Open most days by appointment or by chance. 1223 1801 NW Upshur, Suite 660, 503.388.7665.
GREEN BEAN BOOKS. Stroll through this bookstore’s Instagram feed and you can tell they are having way too much fun getting children excited about books. Their collection features new and used books for all ages as well as a lot of side attractions like shadow-box dioramas, vintage coin-operated vending machines, a menagerie of cuddly creatures, storytimes, summer camps, comics classes, poetry slams, reading to a dog and more. If there’s a youngin’ in your family, this is a must-stop. Hours: Sunday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 1600 NE Alberta Street, 503.954.2354.
THE BOOKTIQUE. This is recycling at its best. The thousands of titles here have either been donated by Lake Oswego residents or withdrawn from the shelves of the Lake Oswego Library. Other finds include: puzzles, CD’s, DVD’s, VHS tapes, talking books, records and beautiful handmade bookmarks. Every week, the Booktique offers Sales and Specials. Some of these tie into holiday themes or seasons, and some highlight different categories of books so check back regularly to see what’s featured. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. 4 Monroe Parkway, Suite D (503.699.9109) City Hall 380 A Avenue, Suite B, (503.534.5758).
MONOGRAPH BOOKWERKS. Store owners opened this place to give artists and the public a place to study, explore and purchase the finest contemporary art books being published today. They’ve also curated a growing collection of art and objects and artists’, political and counterculture ephemera that will have you walking through time. How about a 1972 poster and flyer of the SDS National Convention Against Racism or a Handmade Cut Stone Puzzle (Circa 1960)? Be surprised! Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 5005 NE 27th Avenue at Alberta, 503. 284.5005
MOTHER FOUCAULT’S BOOKSHOP. Collectors will definitely find their way here with an eclectic selection of used, rare and vintage books on philosophy, foreign language, arts, fiction, poetry. Hours: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. 523 SE Morrison Street, 503.236.2665.
ANNIE BLOOM’S.This bookstore has been a fixture in Multnomah Village since 1978. They must be doing something right, including a Readers Rewards system that cashes out $5 off your next purchase after spending $100 on books. Their monthly event calendar is usually filled with author readings and special events like the after hours release party celebrating Emily Henry’s new book, Great Big Beautiful Life! Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays. 7834 SW Capitol Highway, 503.246.0053.
WALLACE BOOKS. Fans call this bookstore located in the heart of Portland’s Sellwood/Westmoreland neighborhood, a “bibliophile’s dream, full of hidden treasures.” It is stocked with new and used books, both the hottest new bestsellers, and that quirky, hard-to-find out-of-print treasure! Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. 7241 SE Milwaukie Avenue, 503.235.7350.
ROSE CITY BOOK PUB. Just in case you need a little libation to coax you to sit down and read, Rose City Book Pub offers beer and wine, as well as a food menu along with their books. Writers can find inspiration in the monthly Drink and Write drop-in sessions on the last Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Artists can do the same at their Drink and Draw sessions on the first and last Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.Other events include open mic, chess and trivia. Hours: Weekdays, noon to midnight; Weekends 11:00 a.m. to midnight. 1329 NE Fremont Street.
BELMONT BOOKS PDX. Owner Joseph Witt wants to surprise his customers with books they may not know they want to read yet. Albeit a smaller venue than many of the other bookstores in town, fans call it a “hidden gem,” and “a reader’s playground.” See for yourself! Hours: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. 3415 SE Belmont Street.
BACKSTORY BOOKS AND YARN. Owner Ilse Roberts breathed new life into the former Hawthorne Boulevard Books when she moved her operation from the Foster neighborhood to Hawthorne, taking half the original space to house her 8,000 to 12,000 used book title inventory as well as second-hand yarn. (although she is looking to expand into carrying some new titles). Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily except Tuesday.
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