Powell's City of Books

Bookstore · Portland, Oregon

Illustration of Powell's City of Books

Overview

Powell's City of Books fills an entire city block in downtown Portland and is the largest independent bookstore in the world.

History

Powell's opened in 1971 and became a Portland landmark.

Today

The store draws book lovers and tourists, with retail security needs.

Compiled October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.