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”Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books is a must-see for any book lover visiting Portland. This massive bookstore is the largest globally, with more than one million books on offer. It is home to a great selection of magazines, comics, and newspapers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at Powell’s City of Books, it probably doesn’t exist!
If you are looking for a unique souvenir from your trip to Portland, be sure to check out Powell’s Books. You can find everything from rare first editions to local authors’ works. And if you’re feeling hungry or thirsty after all that browsing, the bookstore has a café on site serving up coffee, sandwiches, and pastries.
The book store is open seven days a week, so you’ll have plenty of time to stop in and take it all in on your visit to Portland. If you need some extra incentive for making the trip out here, remember that they offer frequent buyer discounts! You can also find Powell’s the City of Books featured prominently at the top of most “things to do in Portland” lists, so you know it’s a must-see for any visitor.
History of Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent new and used bookstore globally. Michael Powell founded it in 1971. Before opening his store, his brother, William Powell, worked in the bookstore.
Powell’s City of Books is named after him, but it was initially called Powells Books and Variety Store on September 23, 1970. It first started as a small newsstand on Burnside Street which Michael had bought for $3000 with a $5000 loan from his family. In the beginning, it was open only on weekends and until 1993 when it became a full-time bookstore.
In 1984, Powell’s moved to its current location, which used to be an International Harvester truck depot in Portland for 40 years before that. The new building has nine rooms with more than one million books on offer. The ground floor is primarily new books, while the upper floors are used for rare, out-of-print, and autographed books.
Facts About Powell’s City of Books
– It covers an entire city block and contains more than one million books.
– The store is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
– There are five floors of books, plus a basement level.
– Powell’s City of Books was founded in 1971 by Michael Powell.
– It is now owned and operated by his son, Gary Powell.
– The store has been featured in several films and television shows, including “The Simpsons” and “Portlandia.”
– It also features a non-fiction section that spans 15 rooms!
– It is a popular tourist destination, with around two million visitors a year.
Things to Do at Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books is the perfect place to spend a rainy day. The store is large and contains something for everyone. In addition to its massive selection of books, Powell’s City of Books offers a variety of other services, including:
- A cafe with delicious food and beverages.
- An entire room dedicated to small press and rare books (including signed first editions).
- Several event spaces for those looking to rent out the space. Check their website or call ahead before you visit, as they do book up very quickly.
- A “traveling” bookstore that is currently in Los Angeles! This pop-up bookstore will be at Powell’s City of Books until June 21 (check their Facebook page for updates).
There are also several free services offered to customers:
- WiFi – bring your device or use one of the store’s computers.
- Laptops – borrow a laptop from the store for up to two hours at a time.
- Charging stations – the book store has several charging stations located throughout the store (ask one of the employees where they are).
So, if you’re ever in Portland and need something to do, you should check out Powell’s City of Books!
Activities and Events at Powell’s City of Books
There are always activities and events happening at Powell’s City of Books. Here are some upcoming events:
March 15-17: The Portland Book Festival will be at the Convention Center. This event is free and open to the public and will feature readings, signings, panels, and more.
April 13-14: The Portland Indie Book Fair will be at the Independent Publishing Resource Center. This event is free and open to the public and will feature readings, signings, panels, and more.
May 18-19: Powell’s will be hosting its book festival, called PowellsFest. This event is free and open to the public and will feature readings, signings, panels, and more.
June 15-16: The Portland Pride Festival will be taking place in downtown Portland. This event is free and open to the public and will feature a parade, a street fair, and more.
What Not to Do in Powell’s City of Books
Below are some things you should not do at the store:
- Bringing in food or drinks from outside.
- Smoking or vaping.
- Using your phone in a way that disturbs others.
- Moving, removing, or tampering with any store’s displays.
- Reselling books without permission from Powell’s City of Books management.
What to Bring in Powell’s City of Books
If you are looking for something else to do while you’re there, here are some other things you can bring:
- A laptop – the store has several computers for public use.
- Your phone charger – the store has several charging stations.
- Money – the store has a cafe, and many of the events are free but require registration.
- A sweater or jacket – it can be pretty chilly in the bookstore!
Powell’s City of Books is one of the favorite places book lovers love to visit in Portland, and I’m sure you’ll love it too!
Where to Park in Powell’s City of Books Parking Lot
Powell’s City of Books has a parking lot for customers visiting the store. There is no parking fee. However, it is limited to two hours. If you’re going to be in the store for longer than that, there are several other parking options nearby:
– The Convention Center Parking Garage – This garage is located across the street from Powell’s City of Books and has a three-hour time limit.
There is metered street parking throughout downtown Portland, but some are designated for residents only.
– Parking garages – several nearby parking garages cost approximately $20 per day
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone Number: +1800-878-7323
Website: powells.com/city-of-books
Hours of Operation: Mondays from 11 am to 11 pm
Closed on Tuesday
Wednesday to Sundays from 11 am to 11 pm
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