Portland bookstore adapting with the times
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Michelle Miller reports from Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, a bookstore doing everything it can, despite online competition, to keep the experience of buying and reading books fresh.
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I lived in Portland for 7 years and I knew people who moved to Portland because of Powell's. It is a treasure.
I visited Portland twice. Each time, Powell's Books is my first place to go to!!
I hope she's getting sales and people are not JUST reading books.
I've ordered books from them online.
I lived in Portland for twenty-six years. I miss Powells passionately. It is still my preferred place to buy book, though I now order them through the web site.
I went last year and did not like it. Bookstores/libraries are my absolute favorite places in the world. They bring so much joy and comfort. But Powell's was too big and seemed...cold? It just didn't have that warm feeling I get when I go to other bookstores.
So great to see Portland get some positive national exposure. One of the few icons of Portland I truly miss. I hope it never goes away.
Right? I don't think the book store has to worry about Biden supporters smash and grab...
Lots of the negative memes are a deliberate campaign by the right to attack every city they consider left and trash their reputation. Take the protests. most were a 4 block area in the downtown that I had not gone near in 10 years of living and commuting to the downtown. I walk all over Portland and yet that area had nothing but law offices, the cop shop, the court house and one irish pub I vaguely remember. Oh and one 80's nightclub. Its all BS. Like people talking about SF being trash, poop and needles. Its a city of a million people spread out over approximately 7 x 7 square miles (46.9 square miles)
Where are you from? In which state do you reside?
@@ceooflonelinessinc.267 I grew up outside of Portland, and have lived in Portland for about 25 years. I recently moved to the Monterey Bay Area for work...and the mild climate and beautiful scenery.
@@Domin8tix Nice. Whats your job?
I live in Portland and go to Powell's at least once a week. It is a unique experience and always crowded, staff are courteous and very helpful.
I spent a week in Portland, but we were on campus on lockdown, and we only got one night after in the week to go into the city center. After dinner, Powell's was the only thing open! 😄 That being said, I had heard of them before, and yes, I can spend hours in any bookstore!
Consider me jealous!
Out of curiosity, what does it provide that a library doesn't?
@@RB-kh6fo Personally, I love them both. I’m lucky that I have two libraries near me that are each an oasis. Re a bookstore … sOmetimes I want to own a book I might crave at an odd hour. To know it’s nearby is soothing. Cheers!
@@RB-kh6fo Well you can drink a hot beverage, they also sell used and new together(haven't seen that anywhere else), and you can talk as well(most people don't though, that part is like a library). You can also sell books and make some money, even if then you use the money to buy more books! Its also really big , bigger that most libraries, only college libraries seem bigger.
One of the world’s greatest bookstores. Three floors, a whole city block, new and used books. A legendary mecca for book lovers.
Yes. One store the BLM wont loot
@@colinthomas867 MAGA would burn this place tho
@@colinthomas867Show me on the doll where BLM hurt you.
@@colinthomas867 what does BLM have to do with this? Your comment screams unhinged and chronically online, I pray for you.
@@gbaker9295 hahah good one.
There are a number of book stores in Portland, Oregon. I love Powell's, when they announced that they may close for good during the pandemic, I ordered a number of Christmas gift books online from their website to support them. I am so glad that they came back beautifully. Most tourists that come to Portland, stop there too. They are a real International gem :) At the same time, if you are a book lover, search other book stores too in Portland. There are many interesting and worthy ones.
I used to travel a lot on business--Anchorage to Seattle and beyond. Booked Portland to Anchorage once or twice just to visit Powell's--my dream trip! I spent hours in Powell's and that wasn't long enough.
I came to Portland for my birthday and my mom’s birthday. Top on my list whenever I visit is always at least an afternoon, preferably a whole day at Powells. I can’t leave with out at least 1/2 my suitcase filled with books from Powells.
I keep an extra responsibility at my job that I could say no to because it includes an annual meeting in Portland and I can't let go of my annual trip to Powell's. I know my employer thinks I'm weird, but I don't care. It's a free trip to Powell's every year!
@@diyac9554 But you can buy they on line, you don't have to take them on a plane!
They lost me at, it was part of the contract. They made everyone reapply and start from the beginning, loosing all seniority and the benefits that come with that? Sounds a little harsh...and they skipped right past that like it was nothing.
I was grossed out by that, too.
Evidently the employees chose a union and agreed to a contract with the company. The owner didn’t have a choice but to abide.
That's not true. That's the company spin. They mistreated employees because they wanted to, not because the union forced them too. In what universe would that make any sense.
Seniority and employment rights expired for laid-off former employees during the pandemic, including any rights under the recall process.
*losing
Bookstores and record stores, we need them now more than ever!
100%
@1973 thunderbirds thank you. Books will never die!
I agree with you! ✌
A Powells record store would be something amazing!
Hipsters and old farts are trying to bring back vinyl, this is stupid and pointless. Books are another matter, holding and reading a paper book is different than watching an LP spining.
Portland's culture in general is also very relevant to this whole story. There is deep sense of value in physical things, personal touches, direct experiences and supporting local institutions, artists, businesses and workers. The community at large will tend to make intentional effort to both invest in and personally enjoy all of these things. This is often true of the PNW in general, but PDX is noted as one of the bigger metro areas to share such an ethos so widely in its collective consciousness. This is why the community and everything connected to it are exceptionally resilient for a big city.
It is definitely true that Portlanders are really big on shopping/eating local. But this is something everyone, everywhere should do, that is, if you want a better world. Go local! 68 cents of every dollar you spend with a locally owned business/product stays in the community, versus only 40-42 cents spent with a corporate chain. Portland had a $44 million business tax surplus in 2020/21, in large part because of our support of minority businesses during the lockdowns and BLM protests, and a campaign called "Here for Portland" supporting local business. It's about investing in your neighbors.
Truly a trust-fund hipster baby paradise.
Now 3rdcwhirled
I was raised in Portland and the little hand written staff recommendations will forever be a cherished memory.
Yes, I liked those. I like them at the library too
Literally one of the most exceptional bookstores in the entire world! I order from them, their customer service is stellar.
My favorite book store!!! My granddaughter can still spend hours in there...which she has been doing since starting to read
Why isn't she in the library????
I hated Amazon because it put so many of my favorite used books stores out of business.Then, I discovered Powell's about ten years ago and ordered books online from them. Then about 5 years ago we drove up to Portland to visit a friend, and when we parked downtown I spotted Powell's a block away. We went over there and I loved it!!!
I quit shopping from Amazon after the pandemic. I try to shop from smaller retailers whenever possible.
It put them out of business because their prices are more affordable
@@calisongbird Not really. The books are the same price and all the rest of their crap is cheaper cause its all made in china. You get what you pay for.
@@karasuthedreamer6353 why did anyone EVER BUY ANYTHING FROM AMAZON????? I never have. Such evil!
This book store is HUGE! New and old books. It occupies a full city block, and is a multi-level, wonderful maze. If you love books, this place is a dream…..and if you go with someone, be sure to setup a meeting time/location if you ever want to see them again.
It is. Wait until you see it. It's even better in person.
It's too huge, you will lose the people you go there with and spend all your time looking for each other. Not to mention crowded, unpleasantly so, really works against the bookstore mood.
And let us not forget the neighborhood, downtown Portland, it used to be nice, not any more.
I don't care if Powells is open or closed, I went there twice, didn't really like it.
But I don't like anything here in Portland, I hate this vile, unpleasant city, trying to convince my family to move, they are the only reason I stay.
@@peterbelanger4094 it's not crowded all the time. If you go on the weekend, sure it will be. But that's a given, so if you go then it's your own fault. A weekday evening in the middle of the week (or first thing in the morning) would be best.
@@peterbelanger4094 as a native Oregonian I have to
Jump in here on a few points that you touched on ….
Yes, Powell’s is huge…. It’s literally called “the city of books”…. Can you get lost in there, or separated from your party in there? Yep…. It’s happened to me MANY times…. And each time it was our own fault….
When you enter a huge store like that, you need a game plan…. Say to the members of your party “I’m going to the purple room (or whatever room is your favorite) so let’s check back here at this spot in 45 minutes”….. whala…. Problem fixed…there are also maps in every room at Powell’s and also you can ask the book attendants there for help, they are so very kind!
That part of Burnside and Portland in particular has NEVER been safe…. That has ALWAYS been a bad area, it’s always had loads of homeless people, even going back 45 years….Again, I’m a native Oregonian and I’m 53 years old…. It’s not a safe area, just be smart about it…. Don’t go alone if you’re new to the area, or if you don’t know your way around pdx, etc…. It’s always been that way…. Growing up, I was NEVER allowed to go to Downtown Portland alone, ever….
As for Powell’s being always crowded, I would disagree with that, it isn’t ALWAYS crowded…. Typically on a weekend it will be…. Also, during the classic “after work” hours 5-7PM…on a week day…. Other than that, I’ve been in there hundreds of times when it’s slow, over the last 51 years…(it opened in 1971) … I’ve been going there since I was a toddler with my family, to purchase our books or trade them in….
@@peterbelanger4094 Definitely take the bus or walk if you go. Parking is ridiculous and stupid.
This is so wonderful. My husband is 7th generation Portland; Powells is a part of the family. So grateful for Michelle, her entire team and of course everyone who supports them by going out of their way to get their latest read at Powells.
I love Powell’s!!
I love books...would NOT want to live in a world without books, music or art. Me I still love to have the actual hardback book in my hands. I have a ton of books. Love love love to read 📚 💕
This made me cry. You’re absolutely right… I would not feel like living if the world was devoid of books, music, and art. ❤
If you are someone who values art and writing, please support artists as we deal with a new wave of AI technology that disrespects copyright and makes it harder for artists to make money from and be the best we can be at our craft. We want better copyright protections and opt-in only ai services! This will come for writers, too, eventually.
I too love books. I do not want to live in a world without libraries! Hardback books, though....not ideal. Harder to deal with in bathtub, in bed ... heavier to hold and manage. Softcovers rock! Save paper and shipping costs!
@@diyac9554 You make me think of Burgess Meredith in that Twilight Zone episode
As a native Portlander, Powell’s was my sanctuary. Sadly, working for the company removed almost all the joy from those hallowed halls. Corporate greed and anti-worker rhetoric took over long ago. It’s one of the first things you learn when you start at Powell’s- the walls have ears and they won’t hesitate to hurry you out the door, especially if your hourly rate is high. What happened in 2020 came as no surprise for current or former employees.
Don’t get me wrong, the workers of Powell’s are amazing. They, and not the Powell family, are the real heart of Powell’s. Despite terrible mistreatment, they’ve persevered because they truly love what they do. If only the company would reward that loyalty instead of punishing it…thank goodness for the ILWU.
I worked there and agree. Had a layoff announced on Christmas Eve. Almost everyone picked were about to be eligible for profit sharing. This was before unions.
This.
I’ve been on both sides of the equation. And I can see that workers generally have no concept whatsoever of the crap that business owners have to put up with. I used to employ 6 people pretty steadily. Now it’s just me working alone. I took pride in helping people through life, often rough patches, I gave them training and a craft. I contributed to the tax base and city coffers. No more. I’m exhausted. I work solo. And although I support the concept of unions, mostly they seem greedy to me and never stop wanting more more more.
As a Portland Native I have never liked the store. They charge way too much for a used book and give you next to nothing when you sell. I'd much rather donate books to a library or put them in one of those little libraries a lot of people have in their yards.
Yep. This piece doesn't report about this. Things got so ugly some years back.
My husband’s favorite mug, for coffee, is from Powells. Bright orange with the Powell’s logo in bold blue letters. He broke it. Can’t begin to tell you how devastated he was. Shhhh! Guess what he’s getting for Christmas.
I went to Portland for a conference (coming from Europe). The highlight of the city for me was Powell’s. Found a few rare books there, plus several new ones. Just spending time there was inspiring, and I felt at home at the same time. Please, never go away. You are a true gem in the world.
I used to drive to Portland on a weekend just to go to Powell’s. I wish the city of Portland a speedy recovery from its current unfortunate predicament, so I could start coming there again.
Whoever thought to do this segment-👏👏👏👏👏❗
All media should, yes should, highlight the significance of literacy (and quality of) and the importance of inclusion (a place for those who need to read but can't or won't go to the free library. A very thoughtful piece and seemingly everyone who has been is a huge fan. No endorsement like a referral.
This! 💜
it's a feel-good superficial piece.
Powell's City of Books has been my default bookstore for rare, out of print books. They've always had great books for everyone at great prices with fast shipping.
Books can be a lifeline, like the people who sell them. We can be all we need to be if we read, whether with a book in our hands, online or read to us.
Thank You wonderful people of Powell's City of Books.
You don't use Abe or Thrift?
As a native Portlander, Powells is part if our identity.
I don't like in PDX anymore but right after Thanksgiving my brother and I made the trip and I spent about $60 on books.
It is a great memory and I will always treasure things like my trips to Powells.
Thank you for highlighting reading and physical books as relevant, and brick and mortar bookstores as valuable beyond their purpose as a bookseller.
Just going to post that I would drive from Olympia, WA down to Powell's Books several times a year. It was where my friends and I sold books, bought books we needed for classes, or just bought books we wanted to read or own. Some Hardback First Edition collections were started from those visits. I bought and sold almost everything LeGuin wrote, bought and sold an entire set of Star Trek pocket books. Powell's, some of Portland's record stores, and restaurants were our quarterly reward and pleasure.
YES1 YES1 YES1 Powell's is a wonderful experience! The physical turn of a printed page far exceeds any electronic experience. Books owned by me frequently have bent corners marking a section, highlighted passages, notes in the margins that provide my personal connection to the topic, etc. The smell and feel of the paper is part of the whole book experience. I have lived around Portland for these last 27 years and Powell's is an iconic treasure!! The term "messy middle" aptly describes our current lives of change...well spoken. Thank you for this feature!
Yes, the feel of the pages and the look of the ink and the heft of the spine! All of that from libraries and LFLs!
I'm from Oakland CA and when I visited Portland this place was on my list to visit!!
Funny how they glossed over the shady actions of the Employer in order for them not to retain seniority and pay scale for the laid off workers upon their re-hire, making sure they pay as little as possible on the return of said employees. A quick Google search will tell you all you need to know.
Seems a really horrible thing for a Union to do. Aren’t Unions supposed to protect workers or am I being too idealistic?
@@MariaT6317 Yeah as much as we all love Powell's I wouldn't trust the company spin on this at all.
Growing up as a farm girl in a small town… books transported me around the world. In the summer the Book Mobile was a huge hit!
Ditto - farm kid here and loved the book mobile! Luckily we had a nice library in the nearest town and got to go in person every two weeks in the summer.
I’ve always frequented my local library. Always surprised other people are unaware. I lived on military bases around the world & later in very small, sparsely populated towns. Our libraries are crucial.
Over a decade ago I lived just outside of Portland and went to Powell's every time I came downtown. I love children's books, so I would always bee line for that department first. I bought many used copies of favorites from my childhood, which I still have. I also loved to browse the rare book room. I could spend hours and hours at Powell's!
Lived 2-3 blocks from Powell for 8 yrs couple decades ago... Loved going there. Probably visited couple times a week Thank you Powells.
Ptown and Powells are synonymous. And did you see that little cat fight😂 posh and privileged girl snubs smart woman.
What a great interview! I frequented Powells in the 70s before it was on Burnside. I would wander into what I remember as a somewhat dimly lit,dusty building downtown seeking a book and visit Walter (Emily’s grandfather). He would ponder for a slight moment and most often would disappear back into a room (or unknown rooms :-) and bring out the book I had inquired about frequently a book that was rare or even out of print! One of the magical things was how he (seemingly) kept track of all the books he had in his head. I am ever grateful that my parents read to me, taught me how to read and instilled the value mystery and magic of reading and that legacy lives on in my grandchildren (sixth generation Oregonians) who, if given the choice between a candy store a toy store and Powells would choose Powells hands-down.
YES, you were there when Powell's was Powell's! Dusty, dimly lit -- exactly! THAT is the Powell's now gone forever ;-(
Portlander here, powells is an incredibly special place. When I go in I enter a happy alternate universe where I lose all track of time and stay in the moment.m
Downtown Powells is the number 1 place I recommend tourists to go
This report is almost as good as Powell's itself. When my sister comes to visit, Powell's is what she wants to do first. Thanks.
I get that it's a great book store and I totally get the difficulty of book stores suriving in this day and age. But I'm confused about the employees losing senority and having to re-apply for their former jobs. Doesn't make any sense to me. "Union rules" work in favor of employees, to ensure they get at the very least what they deserve. I've been in unions and have never seen anyone penalized for retaining their senority much less their higher pay status.
I spent days/weeks/months/years scouring stores like this and have many fond memories. But this sounds to me like management is taking advantage of the situation. Did anyone talk to any of the affected employees about their needs or rights? Nope.
This, to me, should have been the focus of the story.
Well, I'm in an adjunct union at a major university, and I have to re-apply for my job every year, it's a formality. A pain, but it's a formality.
Great interview, however replayed the exchange between Dana and Michelle at 7:10 and left this Interview wondering what’s up with the drama and hostility.
Michelle: “I had not heard of BookTok. Had you?”
Dana: “Yea.”
Michelle: “Of course you had... *throws hand down*”
Dana: “….sorry….”
Michelle: *cross arms signaling defensiveness*
I commented the same before seeing yours. Hostile and awkward!
Very odd interaction. It was almost like bullying Dana for knowing about something she didn’t know about and for loving books
I bought used French books from Powell's for my classroom -- $1.99-$4.99 each -- before getting to make a pilgrimage there in 2019, which was cross-country for me. Such a magical place, and they helped me create a library of great books for my students when I never would have been able to afford it otherwise.
I lived in Portland for 18 years and this made me nostalgic 💛. Best place ever to get presents!
This is certainly the next best thing to the public library.
Thanks CBS for this awesome story, I love Powell's so much and walking in and wandering around this book haven is pure joy!
I lived in Portland in 2001 for a year and worked a block away from Powells. I went every morning and read my way through the world mythology section and bought many cookbooks. Now when I want great books for my classroom, I always order them online from Powell s. I would love to be able to visit it again.
Thanks Powell books 📖
Powell's bookstore has a very special place in my heart, and likely always will. I can't always make it out to the flagship store on Burnside, but I more often visit the Cedar Hills location and it's smaller, but equally as magical.
may we never ever stop having books
well read ... well bred
One of the first things I do when I move to a new city is get a library card. I'm now 55 and I love moving up and down the aisles finding new things to read.
when I visited my daughter, one of the first things I did was get a library card. Good role modeling for granddaughter too.
Yes, LIBRARIES
Love Powell’s. One of the few things I miss about Portland, OR.
LOVE this store! It's enormous! ❤️
I live in Portland and don't get to Powell's enough. One of my favorite spots is this pillar in the Scifi section with all these famous Scifi authors signatures on it. Powell's is a treasure for sure.
'So proud of Powells. It is one of the iconic jewels of Portland. I've loved it ever since I moved here way back when. I will buy books from no where else! (unless it is another independent local bookstore) If I'm not mistaken, Emily herself once helped me find the book Mornings in Jenin: A Novel By Susan Abulhawa, which I'd just heard about on KBOO, another iconic jewel of Portland.
Yes they should come back to do a story on KBOO radio.
This summer, our daughter visited from the bush in Australia. From the get-go, Powell's Books was one of her primary destinations! Having grown up in Oregon, the pilgrimage to Powell's Books was "coming home."
The pilgrimage didn't grow up in Portland.
A little dishonest. Unions don’t fight owners who do more for employees, only the ones who do less.
Physical media forever ❤️
One of the very best stores in Portland!!!
I've found Powell's to be a totally dependable source for mail order used and rare out of print books. I have always received books from them that are exactly as described at a fair price and they ship immediately.
I agree; the online purchase experience is good! But sometimes Abe or Thrift is better ;-)
While I did not grow up there, I moved to Portland for college and lived there for 11 years. I consider it home still. Powell's is a real treat to go to when I visit from overseas. In fact I have to tell myself I can only get 4 or 5 books because of the weight limit on my bags flying back. I usually have a pretty good idea what I want and occasionally will find a book that I like that was not on my list. I haven't been there for over 3 years now. Hoping to visit next summer.
Great store. So welcoming and complete. Would love to see a profile of City Lights Books in SF.
Or Green Apple.
@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive Absolutely. Love Green Apple and its Inner Sunset offshoot.
Love Powell's ! Went to Portland primarily to shop in that iconic bookstore on my first trip to the Nortwest. Hope to go again some day. Love the way it smells in there. Glad they made it through the pandemic.
It also helps that the flagship store downtown is in an old warehouse. It gives Powells an old industrial building feel. And it rehabilitates it, so the city doesn’t have to tear out still another potential landmark to build another postmodern eyesore.
I thought the building formerly held an automobile dealership
@@davidbondehagen1616:
‘Sounds good to me…old buildings are still better than cardboard boxes.
@@TheTrueOnyxRose big orange boxes at that.
@@davidbondehagen1616 When remodeling in about ‘90 they had to remove a huge gasoline tank that was underground.
My 2 favorite book stores: University of Washington Book Store in Seattle and Powell's whenever I drive the 4 hours to Portland. The chain book stores don't stock thought-provoking books.
When you come to Portland, search other independent, used and new book stores in Portland. They are all very interesting :)
And then have dinner at that Peruvian restaurant just around the corner. It's wonderful!
@@LindaC616 is the restaurant Andina?
@sherryann4697 yes!!! I had the arroz con pato (duck with rice) early in the 2000s, and I'm still dreaming of it. When I went to visit my friends in Perú, theirs just didn't compare with Andina's!
I grew up in\around Portland, moved away over 25 years ago, and THE ONLY thing I miss about that city is Powell's. I used to spend hours and hours in there. A true gem.
I'm sorry!
This is making me homesick for Portland! This was my favorite place.
For anyone in SoCal missing Powells, The Last Bookstore in downtown L.A. is akin to the feel of Powells. Nowhere near the size.. but a fantastic selection and great staff:)
I have an e-reader I use for one and done reading. Items I want to savor, I prefer paper. Libraries and bookstores are my jam!
Oh wonderful Powell's !!! What an incredible place.
Powell’s has always been the best bookstore. They used to be able to find any out of print book for you.
They should visit ..The Strand ..in NYC..
But the show is likely centered in New York so they already know about it
Love to let someone who fired their whole staff and then just claim "Oh I am just following the contract" when forcing them to reapply and wipe out their benefits to sweep all that under the rug. Dynamite anti-union propaganda. A book store can be just as awful to it's workers as any company, doesn't matter if holding the newest copy of whatever book gives you "all the feels".
That is insanely inaccurate. The union is not the reason the company treated employees so terribly. Powell's has *multiple* union grievances right now because they purposefully and knowingly violated the contract for corporate gain.
Powells and Music Millenium are Portland treasures and need support to stay alive.
Yep--if you want your music in physical form, Music Millenium is the way to go; what Powell's is to books, MM is to recorded music. On East Burnside. Hoping someone would give a shout-out.
yeah we are really blessed with some good spots like that. Another couple of spots that I hope never go away are Movie Madness and Hollywood theatre.
A union shop! 👏👏👏
That awesome, too bad she had to poo-poo on them and hire all the workers back at square one. I'm sure the contract only specifies the minimum pay and that Powells can always pay more than the minmum.
From what i understand there was a verbal agreement, but folks worked there 20+ years asked to start over. They glossed over that, would love to have heard from the Union in this piece.
Forever a loyal Powell’s customer. A true gem in Portland.
I have bought about six to eight books from this store, rare books, online, this is the first time to actually see it. Thanks, couldn't have wrote my book without them.
Where are you from? In which state do you reside?
@@ceooflonelinessinc.267 When? And this second question reminds me of that film Just Married where that fast chick whips off her red bra. I live mid way of the contiguous maybe three degrees past the 45th parallel. Why?
@@bardmadsen6956 Zip Code?
Love Powell’s 🌈🌈🦋🦋
Powell's book store is a family favorite. Having said that, the TV reporters are so shallow in their throw-away commentary.
I LOVE Powell. I’ve taken my kids to Powells…and now my g-sons.
I used to go to the chain bookstores in my area and sit for hours reading a variety of books (I liked Borders over Barnes and Noble, they had a much larger selection of technical books and also music). But I noticed a lot of college students coming and not spending a dime (I would at least buy a food, coffee or water to support the place, and I would purchase enough books and music over the years as well, to support both places). Now most of the books stores in the area have closed (Borders has closed for good, which is a shame, I really miss that place).
Do they have a coffee shop inside? That would be pretty cool. I love coffee and books, so I would spend all my time there.
Great store but haven't been there in almost ten years. The area is too busy and there are other great bookstores in Portland that need support.
I watched this program on TV. I plan on purchasing books online from them. 📚
A Portland institution. The rare book room at Powell's is a must stop for any tourist who likes to read even a little.
It was BS when they laid everyone off like the day after the pandemic started b/c they "operate on a shoestring budget" when Emily Powell is making boatloads. It was not a good look for them. There are so many indie and used book stores in the Portland area that actually took care of their employees on a much smaller budget (Broadway Books and Jan's being two of my favorites. I was so excited when Jan's reopened after having to close their location a few years before the pandemic).
I might have to visit those. I love Powells, and make a point to try and visit there, but hearing how they treated their employees really makes me question their business.
Great place, but I don't really care about the owner's perspective; I care about the workers'. Sounds like the union might need to fight for a better contract in the future(??) In any case, Powell's was a great place for me to spend time when I moved to Portland as a young, lonely person in 2001. Spent many evenings drinking coffee, eating chocolate chip cookies, and reading books in the cafe. Sat in on countless author events. Great spot. Nowadays though, I tend to buy books at a smaller, employee-owned (co-op) bookstore.
I used to live in Portland in the 1990's and Powell's was a favorite of mine. In those days they used to have what they called a "technology annex" in a separate building a couple of blocks away which was very special too. But I remember hearing that Portland is just about the most literary town in the U.S. for some reason?
Powells is an amazing bookstore!! Worth going to even if you are just passing by Portland!
Nothing can replace a good (paper) book in your hands. No kindle for me!
Downtown Portland is a dark place now, very sad. I won't go there anymore. Luckily I can go to the Powell's in Beaverton, Oregon 😊
I wonder how great, employees who lost their standing in their job and had to re-apply due to the pandemic think Powells is. “Union contract” sounds like a nice way of saying “we could and so we did”
But don’t worry, they don’t kick out those future authors who spend hours reading books in their store lol
Thank you for this story. I love books and bookstores.
However, union or not, that sucks that people lost their seniority and time off because they had to reapply for their job. That’s bull.
I've been in Portland for 23 years. The day Powell's closes is the day I consider moving. One of my favorite times in my life was when Ozone records was open across the street, and I'd just ping-pong between records and books for 5 hours straight fueled by Powell's coffee.
Do you remember the pizza place across the street?
I always loved wandering around. Soo much to experience. A must go to place when ever in Portland!
I have to say, I visited Powells in Portland a few years back and it was incredible.
Awwwe Thank you Powell!! I love you guys. I have always had a closeness feeling to Powell books ( thanks to my Mother for bringing me here with her) but this clip really opened my eyes to the passion, and the tradition that you are continuing. Much love! ❤
There are three locations in Portland, but none in Tacoma, as I’d erroneously stated before.
I was confusing it with Tacoma Book Center.
Mea culpa and apologies to anyone I confused!
They have lots of smaller locations in other areas
One of the last second hand book stores in my state is closing soon. There are just a few scattered here and there. And they tend to be specialty second-hand stores. I have to drive an hour or so to find a second hand bookstore
Where in Tacoma, please?
@@catzenhouse I looked it up and can’t find it. I used to go to it all the time.
I’ve sent an e-mail to Powell’s asking if it’s still there or not.
I’ll let you know the answer.
@@waltertomaszewski1083:
I know I didn’t see it when I was visiting.
Reminds me of Strand Books in NYC. Stay strong, Powell's!!
I love strand but it’s selection is tiny compared to powells
@@22tango79 excellent! Go Powell's
I had my first date as a teenager in Powell's with another fellow book lover. 💙
What was that snippy bit at the end? I don’t know if you’ve heard about booktalk, yes I have, of course you have, oh I’m sorry. Wow. Anyhoo, have ordered from Powell’s for years! They’ve shipped to me in TN, OH, MI and KY since the late 90s. Hope to make it in person one day!
was looking for someone who noticed that 😂
My dear friend used to manage a few sections at Powell's and she was absorbed with the creative and dynamic nature of working there.
I was on a business trip in Portland years ago and spent every evening after work at “Powell’s City of Books.” Loved it.
Where are you from? In which state do you reside?
The joy of Powell's was always the "dead grandpa" factor. Some old guy dies and his family sells off the books in his house for nothing. You could wander there for hours and find leather-bound or cloth-free (from ww1 shortages) books for $2 each because no one wanted them.
It became the new Boarders when Fred Armisin made Portland cool, filling the store with generic drug store novels for $49.95.
Gotta do what you gotta do, but I'm not rushing in with a twinkle in my eye anymore.