Powell’s Books: Portland’s Iconic Independent Bookstore

By Alyssa Smith
Ranked higher than a visit to the International Rose Test Garden or a bite from one of Voodoo Doughnut's creatively named pastries, a few hours wandering through Powell’s Books is always at the top of my Portland To-Do list. The flagship store, located in downtown Portland, OR, is a bibliophile’s dream come true. According to the store’s website, it is the world’s largest used and new bookstore and offers more than a million books on its shelves. The idea for Powell’s Books was first conceived in 1971 after Walter Powell spent a summer working in his son Michael’s used bookstor...