Address: 1005 West Burnside St
Pricing: Depends on books, but generally around $5-$20
Phone: (503) 228-4651
Hours: Depends on location. Downtown Location: 9am to 11pm
How To Get There:
For downtown location:
From I-5 North:
1. Exit 299B on the left for I-405 W toward US-26 W/City Center/Beaverton
2. Merge onto I-405 N
3. Take exit 2A toward Salmon St/Pge Park
4. Merge onto SW 14th Ave
5. Turn right at W Burnside St
6. Turn left at NW 10th Ave
From I-5 South:
1. Take exit 302B for I-405 W/US-30 W toward Beaverton/St Helens
2. Merge onto I-405 S/US-30 W
3. Continue to follow I-405 S
4. Take exit 2A for Couch St toward Burnside St
5. Merge onto NW 15th Ave
6. Turn left at W Burnside St
7. Turn left at NW 10th Ave
Parking:Downtown location has parking lot
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Powell’s Books: A local literary landmark
May 5, 2010
Books are a integral part of everyone’s life. Powell’s definitely epitomizes this feeling with the largest selection in town. With multiple local locations, including a great space at the Portland Airport, Powell’s is convenient while still remaining local. Combining their exceptional selection with reasonable prices, a fun adventure is assured at this Portland landmark.
Finding the right book should be a journey at a place like Powell’s. Chances are you will find not just one book, but a whole stack of new reading material.
Their flagship store is located downtown on the edge of the Pearl District. With multiple levels, you can find yourself lost quickly. A good idea is to bring a list of what you might want to buy. If it is a spur of the moment trip, you can also find computers throughout the store to find exactly what you need. Their friendly staff are also helpful, whether you are looking for the latest modern novel or a home improvement book.
If you like to hear author’s speak, the downtown location usually has a good assortment of author’s speaking. Especially surrounding Portland's yearly Wordstock festival, you can grab a chance to see one of your favorite writers up close and even score an autograph.
Be prepared for a crowd at most locations during the weekend. If you want a less busy experience, try the Hawthorne location in southeast Portland. This location has a great selection, but benefits from not being situated in downtown Portland. Another good option is Powell’s Home and Garden store, located two doors down from the Hawthorne store. Specializing in books covering the kitchen and garden, you will be amazed at what you can find in this specialty shop.
Powell’s is a fun visit for both kids and adults. Many books have multiple editions to choose from. So whether you want hardback, paperback, new, or used, you can chose the right copy and price you want to pay. Powell’s also buys books and can give you store credit or cash if you have a dusty pile of books at home.
For visitors, Powell’s is a rite of passage. Portland is a town known for its literary presence and Powell’s exhibits its best qualities.
HelloPortland Tip: Having trouble deciding what to read? Look for the staff recommendations on the shelves. These hand-written reviews provide insight into whether a particular book is for you.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
