Out rural Oregon, at the intersection of state highways 206 and 19, you may be surprised to find a Powell’s Books, of the Powell’s City of Books fame.
Condon, population 682, conceals a small branch of Powell’s Books inside its Country Flowers store.
Mike Powell, who started Powell’s with a Chicago bookstore in 1970 and whose father started Portland’s Powell’s shortly thereafter, took an interest in setting up a bookstore in Condon with Country Flowers’ proprietor, Darla Seale.
The way she tells it, Mike Powell was looking for a vacation home not too far from Condon. One day during a visit Seale suggested Powell set up a small bookstore at her flower shop. Circa 1996, Powell’s Books in Condon was born. The offerings are much the same as you’d find in Portland; used, new and eclectic. Seale does get a lot of calls for more children’s books.
“It was a novelty at first,” Seale said. “But it’s not really surprising since Condon was populated by school teachers and ranchers.”
Still, the most frequently asked question is, “Is this really a Powell’s Bookstore?” The answer is, yes. Additional testimony comes from T-shirts that read, “Powell’s Books … Portland … Condon.”
The Pacific beckons: extreme cliffs, ocean paddling, scenic pedaling and rewarding comforts Named in 1792…
Portland novelist Suzy Vitello imagines the “big one” and a family united by survival Interview…
Oregon’s best places to live when you can work remotely from anywhere written by Cathy…
Some of our most inspired faves from our amazing photographers this year At 8 years…
Included in our Adventure Package are items from our friends at: Allsop Home & Garden…
Note: Not all items in these photos are part of the Foodie Package. Included in…