Always Here Bookstore — Local services in Portland

A beautiful and bright space with gobs of good new and classic LGBTQIA2S+ books by queer and trans authors and artists. I’ve been to other queer bookstores and I think what sets Always Here apart is the curation and community: you can go in with a few dollars to your name and still find a gem, you can get Pride flags and stickers of all variety sourced from local artists, and if you have kiddos, there’s a sweet corner for kid’s books that don’t simply teach about QT people but give stories and a number of ways to have queer representation that goes beyond 101 books. The booksellers are so helpful and if they don’t have something, they order it super fast for me! I just couldn’t believe they had the niche HA zine release (author of Chromatic Fantasy) as well as the classics. I will be returning to Always Here when I need my next book rec or to discover what corner of queer trans history I’ve yet to be...

Such a lovely bookstore! I came by to check on a recently released graphic novel so I could support a small local business, and they had it in stock. This shop has a fantastic collection of books for readers of different ages, and they clearly put a lot of consideration into the shop layout and design because it’s very well-organized and not overwhelming! Masks are required in the store, but they have some at the front for shoppers who don’t have one. There are also sensory/stim toys for people to use while browsing, which I thought was awesome. The individual working the counter (sorry I didn’t get your name!) was also very kind and we briefly chatted about books. Next time I’m in the store and not hunting for a specific book, I’ll ask for a recommendation! All in all, a wonderful experience. Go...

I've made a few online orders since moving to the Portland/Vancouver area a few months ago, but hadn't been able to make it into the store until today.

Their curation of books is impeccable and the way the books are displayed makes it easy to browse without getting overwhelmed.

They have a great mix of popular and lesser known titles. It's rare to go into a bookstore and "discover" a book I know absolutely nothing about, but somehow they manage to surprise me every time, both when shopping their website and in person.

Best of all, it's a really welcoming and chill environment and I really enjoyed meeting one of the owners today! 5/5, can't...