city of books

As anyone that's ever been to Portland knows, Powell's Books is an amazing place. It's the largest used and new bookstore in the world, and you could easily spend days wandering the place without ever seeing everything it has to offer. For anyone with the slightest interest in books, or even no interest at all, it's not to be missed.

Having grown up Portland, I've always loved Powell's, and it's been a pleasure to see it thrive over the years. It's not often that such a large independent retailer can thrive in an industry dominated by big chains, but it has more than held its own. And more than being just a bookstore, Powell's is also a cultural landmark in the city of Portland. It's the type of place that locals always show to visitors, and it does a great job of tapping into the vibrant artistic environment in the city.

It's absolutely essential for the city that Powell's continue to play a role in the development of Downtown Portland and the Pearl District, and it's good to see that the owner is already planning for the future. Hopefuly, the strong management and unique vision that have made the store such a success will continue to guide it as it grows along with its surroundings.