Powells City of Books
More than 30 years ago, Walter Powell decided to open a book store. Not an ordinary book store. He decided to try and have every edition of every book on his shelves. He wanted hard cover, paperback, collectors editions, used books, etc. Today, he owns 6 retail stores and a website open 365 days a year. He has, literally, created a city of books.
The main store is downtown Portland. It encompasses an entire city block, is 4 stories high and includes 9 rooms, each with a theme. Plus they are home to a 3-door elevator. They even have a map of the store and it’s a good thing. I’d get lost otherwise.
As for the 3-door elevator. I did check it out. Inside it looks like any other elevator. Since the 4 levels of the store are offset, the elevator travels up partial floors before opening to yet another room.
The rooms each have a story in themselves. I’m not sure I really understand all the themes.
The Pearl Room – Scene of Discovery in “Artist’s Aerie”. This room makes sense, it’s filled with all genres of art: film, drama, art, photography, etc.
See you in the Red Room – Scene of Discovery. This room offers relligion, metaphysics, mythology, psychology and travel.
The Purple Room – Where past meets present in “Wave a Tattered Flag”. Here you find history, military, anthropology, sociology, politics and international studies.
The Rose Room – where the fabulous foursome frolic in “Hodge Podge Holiday”. Yeah, the children’s room plus science, pets, games, sports, automotive and parenting.
The Orange Room – scene of discovery in “The Home Body”. Cooking, careers, business, gardening and weddings.
The Gold and Coffee Rooms scenes of discovery in “Golden Grounds”. All genres of fiction plus a coffee shop.
The Green and Blue Rooms where luck and fate cross paths in “The Independent”. The blue room offers poetry, literature, and classics. The green room is the new book section and place to find information and where you pay.
Powells is also home to free speech in the form of author readings and book signings, young reader programs and lectures. They’ve even hosted 3 weddings and 2 funerals.
If you can’t find your book here, check on the website at Powells.com.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
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