‘Rose City Reads’ settles into the Hazelwood neighborhood

INCLUDES VIDEO TOUR | Love books? Take a look around this unique outer East Portland bookstore, filled with bargains, whose sales support the Multnomah County Library ‘Friends’ …

Folks who love reading are finding bargains every day at the Rose City Reads bookstore.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Because of the large-scale construction project taking place near the intersection of NE 122nd Avenue and Glisan Street, many passers-by haven’t yet noticed that the Rose City Reads bookstore quietly opened its doors last September 13th.

This unique haven of books is situated in the west end of a building that’s been extensively remodeled – to turn the former Hazelwood Safeway store into the Multnomah County Library Operations Center.

> CLICK HERE to see our story and video tour of the Multnomah County Library Operations Center.

Books – yes, indeed! You’ll find lots of books at the Rose City Reads bookstore.

“I want everyone to know that this is an actual store – one for everyone in the community who likes to read,” Friends of Multnomah County Library Executive Director Jackie Starr told East Portland News, as we explored the space.

Take a brief video tour of their shop, and you’ll see some of the many books offered for sale at low prices:

This relatively new location carries items that were sold at the big Friends of Multnomah County Library Spring & Fall book sales, along with “retired” library books – similar to those found at the former Title Wave Used Bookstore, but set in a new and expanded space, explained Starr.

This spacious modern bookstore offers a plethora of choices to customers.

“Please come in see what we have – you’ll find we offer lot of options,” Starr pointed out. “One of the things that touches me the most is seeing families come in with their kids – because we have a lot of children’s books here. We’re working to make his a place where the family can come and have fun.”

Book shopping at the Rose City Reads bookstore is economical, too. Kids’ books start at $2.00 each; the majority of books for sale are priced at $3.00.

From kids’ books to rare collectors’ volumes, you’re likely to find something of interest to everyone in this bookstore, which is operated by the nonprofit Friends of Multnomah County Library.

“We do offer unique, and hard-to-find items in our ‘Collectors Corner’ that cost a bit more, but those are well worth it,” Starr commented.

Go in and check it out for yourself!

Rose City Reads

221 NE 122nd Avenue 97230
Open Tuesday through Saturday
11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Operated by Friends of Multnomah County Library
Visit their website: CLICK HERE

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