user
Wallace Books
7241 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202, United States
Appearance
Wallace Books
Comments
Mi
Review №1

Great place for those who love to browse all kinds of books. A lot of selection packed into this small house. Not always easy to find what you want, but the staff is friendly and very willing to help. Its a pretty enjoyable place to be.

Au
Review №2

Welcome to a book lovers heaven! Wallace Books is a cozy house filled to the brim with treasures. The staff are so friendly and helpful, they also offer book buyback for store credit. I cant wait to visit again!

Am
Review №3

Wallace books is the kind of bookstore that you dream about as a bookworm. Theres just books shoved into every cranny of this house. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. You can order anything and have it delivered to the shop. I adore it.

Br
Review №4

Wallace books is a wonderful place to search out that perfect novel. They have a large selection that should interest almost any avid reader. It might be a little tight for someone that doesnt do well in close spaces, but I loved my time hunting for books there. Help on site was very friendly and helpful. If I return to the area, I would definitely check their books out again.

Me
Review №5

Great book store. They are very friendly and helpful. I did not have cash so they told me to just bring the money next time I come in. I was getting a book for a friend that I was on my way to see. It was soooooo sweet. Great section and extremely reasonable prices!!!

Li
Review №6

I try to support and buy from locally owned businesses as much as possible and am thrilled to have found a wonderful bookstore in Sellwood/Moreland that fits the bill. Wallace Books sells new and used books and if you want a book that they dont have in stock, they can order you one that will arrive, usually between 1-3 days. This bookstore is in a house and its so fun to wander through the different rooms, each one packed from floor to ceiling with a large variety of books. The staff is super friendly, helpful and have great recommendations. They will also take your used books in and give you store credit. I highly recommend visiting Wallace books or giving them a call. A world of interests awaits you there!

Su
Review №7

I’ve always passed Wallace books and thought nothing of it until I decided to pop in for a baking book and walked out with 2 cook books half a dozen other books. The selection is vast and the experience browsing literal stacks of books is a lot of fun

La
Review №8

I didnt go inside. I rolled by on a long ride and bought a book from the $1 books outside. Since my recumbent cant take the stairs, Id love to see a little lockbox with a slot chained to one end of the table for dollar bills. It would be convenient and they could keep an eye on it through the window.

Mj
Review №9

This place is book heaven. Seriously. If youre a book person and you havent been to Wallace Books.... youre missing out. I highly reccomend this place. Wall to wall, ceiling to floor, classic book store fashion. New and used. If you can dream it... theyll have it or get it. Thanks, Wallace Books!!!

St
Review №10

I am in town on business and always try to find local bookstores oh, it is very hard for me to find books pertaining to Wicca. They didnt have a large selection but the lady was extremely nice oh, you do have to call ahead and they bring books out to you which is pretty cool they dont seem rude about it. Im super happy that I found one that a recent book for half the price. Just very happy with the service. Thank you ladies for remaining open for us that like to read paper.

Ke
Review №11

Went here on recommendation from a local publican during a quick refreshment stop from our bike trip. A cute little house on the corner packed to the rafters with books from anywhere and everywhere. The girlfriend got pleasantly lost in amongst the shelves. 10/10 would read again!

Ro
Review №12

My favorite local bookstore. You guys rock!

Du
Review №13

Always a great way to lose myself. And theyre happy to find whatever Im actually looking for over the phone or in person. Prices are more than competitive.

RO
Review №14

My name is Roger Browning and my passion is the independent book store and my way through them every chance that I get. I search them out in my travels, for a moment to find that rare find, of title and signed copy, that the larger chains wont for new market wast. For their time. It was precovid when I made my way in and the charm of it so overwhelming, love on first entry there. What a wonderful place and I found something magical when I did. Please go and support this local book store, they need you as much as you need them. My name is Roger Browning. I am a rancher born into the life in Texas and I am also the author of The Reckoning of Rance. Now carried on Amazon. A book with its setting, that of a modern day Texas ranch. A book about greed of inheritance, that would be recognizable, even if I had placed its setting just about anywhere else. Please visit this store like I did. My name is Roger Browning and my book, is The Reckoning of Rance.

Ja
Review №15

Nice selection and variety of books and helpful and knowledge staff.

Ro
Review №16

Today was my first visit there, they were able to find a book Ive been looking for for months now! I was also able to do a trade in, which was speedy and helpful in clearing my own clutter. Staff was super friendly, Ill definitely be back soon!

Er
Review №17

New and used books with friendly staff! Great selection, easy bookstore to get lost in.

Bi
Review №18

Lots of book across many genres, not easy to find one specific thing, but a great treasure hunting!

Su
Review №19

I would like to live here, please. Surely theres room for a cot in the attic?

Jo
Review №20

Super nice and helpful staff. Made an appointment for solo shopping because of Covid. Made a list before I went and besides some obscure rare history books, found everything I was looking forward including a a rare poetry book, for the better prices than Ive found online.

Jo
Review №21

Brings me back to my childhood. Check this place out

Jo
Review №22

I love this book store -so- much. the staff is great, and they kept my children reading through the covid 19 crisis with great suggestions and no-contact order pickup. the store is even better when you can go inside. overflowing bookshelves and maze-like back-rooms and milk-crates on casters full of -mobile- books. but then its curated just enough that you know you can find something strange and unlikely if you hang out for awhile. the childrens classic literature area (i forget how it is labeled) is particularly lovely.

Br
Review №23

Lovely place, and helpful staff!

La
Review №24

The most magical bookstore in all the world 😍. If you can think of a book they don’t have, they will most definitely find it for you. And the BEST used selection anywhere.

Su
Review №25

Wallace Books has been one of our favorite Sellwood businesses for years! The owner, Julie, is ahhhmazing and brings a fun yet laid-back ambiance all while offering resaonable prices for quality used and new books. She has been a lifesaver during the pandemic shut down. Their selection is amazing, customer service is impeccable, and the store is packed full, floor-to-ceiling of books. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the store, ask, and one of their employees will help you find the book you’re looking for or order it for you. This is particularly helpful while we’re all doing our best to social distance during this pandemicWe bring all of our used books here and donate the ones that Wallace Books can’t use in their store.I wish I could give Wallace Books 500 stars!!!Shop local!!

Am
Review №26

Love this little bookstore. The staff is great and helpful. Did a few covid order pickups and it was very safe and well organized.

ca
Review №27

Great..very helpful.

Ci
Review №28

Wonderful creative customer service during this time of social distancing. Wallace Books is a local treasure.

Je
Review №29

Wallace Books is a unique place and bookstore. It is a renovated home that has been converted into a store. The books are priced well and the selection of used books is immense.It is one of my favorite to stop by as you find something new every time.

Zo
Review №30

Lots and lots of books and very nice staff.

CJ
Review №31

The only issue I have here is that theres no parking, especially in the weekend. Otherwise, this place is great! Excellent prices and a lot of stuff to choose from. My son loves to buy books and comics here.

Ki
Review №32

Wallace Books is bigger on the inside, like the TARDIS or Hermiones bag. Place is outstanding, one of the best if not the best used-book stores Ive ever come across. Has new books, too. Can trade in books for store credit only, but at a fair rate.Owner/staff are friendly and helpful and up for a chat but never looming. Prices are fair for the neighborhood.

Ca
Review №33

An adorable store with a wide variety of books! This small house-turned-business is just packed to the cieling with books in every room, making for a cozy experience. There are so many books in the small space that in many places they are double stacked and two deep, so finding what youre looking for can be a challenge. But even if you cant find your specific book, chances are they have another for you somewhere in there.

Pa
Review №34

It is surprising how hard it can be to find independent book stores in this town since Powells seems to have eclipsed most of them. This book store is wonderful. It has a lot of charm and magic. This book store reminds me of some of my favorite mom & pop shops Ive been to in other cities. I will gladly go here first before venturing outside of my neighborhood for books

Ma
Review №35

Highly recommend if you need some quarantine reading. Couldnt be easier - placed an order over the phone, was ready in 2 days, the package was sitting on the porch and I drove over and picked it up. They also deliver if necessary. Support your local bookstores!

St
Review №36

Love this place! Two stories,huge selection of books. Even have some new best sellers on Sale for $6! The Annex a few doors down has even more cool stuff.

Da
Review №37

Lots and lots of books

Mi
Review №38

My kind of bookstore: small package outside, huge selection inside.There are books crammed from floor to ceiling and everywhere in between. Oh, and that papery smell that says yes, you will find something to read here is very evident. Friendly and helpful staff, great selection. Im glad I found this place while my wife was looking at the craft store nearby. A+

Ka
Review №39

What an amazing book store! You could spend hours in here looking for treasures. Highly recommend getting lost in here and forgetting about the world.

O
Review №40

Cozy little nook to discover something new. Maybe not the best if youre looking for something specific/obscure, but if you just like being surrounded by books this is definitely a great place to get lost

Jo
Review №41

Hard to find anything. Like most used book stores these days he has too many books for his space. Not buying more if youre looking to sell

Mo
Review №42

Wonderful little neighborhood bookstore stuffed full of an amazing selection of books. Inside there is no odd old book smell, it is well lit with lots of lovely natural light and has comfy chairs here and there to sit and enjoy the books and ambiance. Plus the prices are reasonable and the staff is always pleasant and helpful but not in your face... I love this place!!!

Ra
Review №43

I went in looking for a particular author and got 5 books for $18. Great prices and selection! Get lost browsing (remember to look UP as the books are stacked literally to the ceiling!), or ask the super knowledgable employees to pull some books for you. They magically know where every single book is.

Re
Review №44

A lot of books in a small space. Most of them are shelved but many are in stacks on the floor. I found one book that I have been looking for that even Powells didnt have. I found another that I liked in a stack on the floor. Its a nice mixture of order and randomness.

TC
Review №45

Everything was as described: like Powells books rolled into a single house and people who love to help!

Am
Review №46

This place is a book lovers dream. Floor to ceiling books everywhere you look. Watch your step because this is literally a house full of books. Great selection of new and used. Staff is very helpful and they go out of their way to help you find what youre looking for.

Da
Review №47

The perfect new and used bookstore in an old house. Loved it

Br
Review №48

I always try to stop in here when Im in Portland. Packed with books, good solid inventory, competitive prices. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and are clearly readers. Although mostly used books, they do have a selection of current & popular new books. Anyone who lives nearby should visit weekly.

Kr
Review №49

Great little used bookshop, packed with books of all genres. Staff is friendly and helpful, and they have a great trade system. Find your next read here!

Lo
Review №50

I love this shop! Literally wall to wall books. Really great prices. Book lovers, this will be you second home!!

Jo
Review №51

Relaxed, funky bookstore where you can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. Lots of used books, current items of interest, etc, etc.

El
Review №52

Boy, it was a blast from the past to go into this kind of old fashioned used book store: in a great way! Found some good deals. I could have spent all day in here, looking about.

Sq
Review №53

New and used selections. Randomly jumbled in piles and crates once you leave front area. Not really alphabetized, stacked 2-3 deep. Very loosley corralled, not by genre. One room had sci-fi, thrillers, novels, mystery and romance. Some closets and hallways were so stacked you couldnt even get in to browse. Definitely not for anyone in wheelchair or with impaired balance.

Al
Review №54

I love this place. Wonderful prices, great quality, almost always has what Im looking for. Prices match the quality of the books (it is a used book store) and the outside working the are always nice and helpful!

De
Review №55

One stop on a cool book tour. I can’t wait to go back.

Gi
Review №56

Fun little book store in a converted house. Tons to choose from and lots of great help from the staff. Highly recommended

Ni
Review №57

Wallace Books has a great selection (literally: piles on piles) of books, of all genres. The girl who was working there was very helpful and friendly. This shop is, however, on the more expensive side when compared with other used book shops in the area. Overall, this is a pretty awesome spot if youre up for some serious digging - Im sure youll find something.

Jo
Review №58

This is a place for rainy days and book lovers. They have an amazing assortment of new and used books to meet the wants of most readers. The organization might leave some shoppers confused, but taking the time to browse the collection has always yielded some new treasure for my collection of books.

Al
Review №59

This is by far my favorite bookstore in Portland, and Ive been to A LOT of them. The chaos is endearing, and for me I have no interest in sales staff trying to chat me up or help me find what Im looking for, so this place is perfect to me. The rooms seem endless, the books are floor to ceiling and it truly feels as if I could get lost in a corner and whisked away to another world. Theres nothing quite like it, and if you prefer Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble environments it will scare the heck out of you, but to me its like another home. Its the first place I go for any books I need!

Ka
Review №60

Just too much inventory! I couldnt really find what I was looking for because of the chaos. I think there is probably an amazing selection in there to choose from too. I would go back in a minute if they ever had an bag sale. (Fill a shopping bag with books for $10 kind of thing.)Also, I couldnt spend more than 15-20 minutes in there because they didnt use their AC on an 80°+ day. I get its an expense, but they have it, use it! It should be about making your customers comfortable.

Be
Review №61

Very friendly helpful people, wide selection of new and used books, great prices and discounts.

Ni
Review №62

I prefer to get books on the kindle or as an audio book. This is because I dislike human interaction and Wallace Books provides too much fantastic human interaction. As soon as you walk in, ker-blamo, Hello there! Is there anything we can help you find? If you ask for a book and they somehow dont have it in this maze of ceiling high bookshelf, they ecstatically offer to order it in to the shop for no extra cost. If you like fantastic customer service and an warm and friendly environment for enjoying books then Wallace is your place.

Sa
Review №63

Happened upon this place while walking my dog. Every subject you could ever want. Fantastic $1 shelves. Dog friendly :) Friendly and helpful staff.

Da
Review №64

A great independent bookshop, where you can order a brand new release or find a used gem!

Da
Review №65

Great selection with wonderful help from the staff at a neighborhood bookstore.

Di
Review №66

A neighborhood bookstore, an excellent place to go and find books.

Ma
Review №67

This is my kind of place! Hidden treasures, new and used books, and great friendly staff. Careful, the time warp my suck you in for hours.

Fr
Review №68

Wonderful bookstore in a Sellwood cottage packed floor to ceiling with used and new books. Extremely helpful and friendly staff (as seemed to be the norm in Portland for this visiting Baltimorean). I could have spent hours here combing through the stacks of cool old books. Great kids section as well!

Mi
Review №69

Fantastic selection, friendly staff, surprising little hideaway for book lovers.

Vi
Review №70

Fantastic little Sellwood bookstore that offers both new and used titles. Alas, it is not wheelchair accessible--unless one counts the items on table by sidewalk, but those are free anyway😁--but as I often use a cane and cant stand for long periods due to spinal deterioration, Ehlers-Danlos, and POTS, I have found it otherwise disability-friendly, in that its spaces are well organized, packing in what is (for the buildings dimensions) a vast, well-organized inventory with adequate space for navigating, and even--oh sweet relief--some comfy seating.Staff are both knowledgeable and friendly, in person, over the phone and in online queries; while thus far, Ive only attempted latter through Facebook Messenger, staff have always replied promptly. (At such time as my condition presents more substantial barriers--while Id obviously miss directly browsing the shelves--Ill continue to patronize through special orders.) Offers generous store credit for used titles they can accept; when last I inquired--6-8 months ago?--will also pay cash at 25% of the store credit rate.* Even better, customers may spend store credit on brand new AND used titles, including special orders!Despite architectural limits typical of small, neighborhood-based stores, disability awareness itself is not lacking, reflected not only by employees courtesy but in merchandising (also with an additionally commendable emphasis on regional authors and publishers); for example, it was here, in a prominent display, I first discovered a brilliant new anthology, Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens. While its likely Powells Books (of which Im also an enthusiastic fan, but sometimes lack bandwidth and/or physical stamina to navigate) carries that same title, in several recent visits, I hadnt noticed it even once. Given the necessarily limited range of new titles smaller retailers can stock, such choices (among other fresh offerings representing a broad range of topics, genres, and authors) reflect a commitment to literary diversity, quality, and authenticity, ideally calibrated to the needs and interests of the Sellwood community.--* As with all used bookstores, always confirm in advance what the store can offer. Merchandise needs, forms and anounts of compensation, and availability of staff to evaluate potential trade-ins are subject to change. (At the very least, absent any prior arrangement, I would not bring by more than two medium-sized boxes; especially if near the end of the day, you might offer to leave items there and wait for their call to see what can be offered and when you and pick up items they cant use.) Fortunately, the one time I had to ask about possible cash payment, I was *just* able to squeak by on rent, and thus did not have to sacrifice my precious store credit (whew!).

Sa
Review №71

Great titles there. Any book you could ever think of is there

Ch
Review №72

Lovely independent book shop-- full of treasures and surprises.

Je
Review №73

Such a delightful store with so many options.

Ma
Review №74

Great customer service and SO MANY books for a low price and theyre all in amazing condition. If youre in the area I would greatly advice giving it a look

Am
Review №75

Come with a coffee or tea and several hours to luxuriate in books from all genres and of all ages. Exceptional selection.

lo
Review №76

From the day it opened,Wallace books has been the perfect neighborhood book shop. Cozily stuffed with books, and always great service. What more could one want?

Ad
Review №77

Awesome used bookshop in a groovy old house! I love digging through the double-stacked mass market paperbacks!

Br
Review №78

While we found the book we were looking for, theres too many books and not enough space.I think theres plenty of potential for this local bookstore, they just need to organize it a bit.The customer service was fantastic!

Li
Review №79

Fun and charming atmosphere; super friendly, helpful staff.

Ri
Review №80

Homey shop, nice assortment of new and used books. They give rapid service on special orders.

Ed
Review №81

Browse you must, treasures and bargains you will find. Its a little house with the body dimorphism issue -- its inner book store cant be contained!

Pa
Review №82

Tons of great books, interesting selection. Small building and alot of stock!

Ja
Review №83

A very quaint, almost fairy tale book shop ... in a house. Very helpful and cheerful staff.

Su
Review №84

They had exactly what I was looking for and the hound woman was friendly and helped me find it quickly!

Ar
Review №85

Super packed with used books on many topics... A kind of cozy book chaos gently tamed into a semblance of order

La
Review №86

The perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon. Great selection!

ma
Review №87

Used and new books, great prices and knowledgeable staff.

Ru
Review №88

I am always able to find the book I am looking for, no matter how old it is!

Ab
Review №89

To be honest I never been there but I really want to go books are my life Im sure that Im going to love it there when I get the chance to go

Pa
Review №90

Great place very helpful staff!!! Better than Amazon in many cases

Ar
Review №91

Definitely a thin place. The faeries and spirits get into Portland through here.

Ri
Review №92

I love getting lost in this bookstore. Truly wonderful.

Et
Review №93

Great selection of books and Rachel is very helpful. Thanks

Ch
Review №94

Great selection and very helpful, friendly service, which is not always the case for used bookstores! Looking forward to going back.

Ad
Review №95

Friendly staff, pricing is fair. Close to my house and I feel supporting a local shop.

ke
Review №96

Very old school book store. The staff are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

da
Review №97

Always a great place to be!!!!!

Fi
Review №98

If poking around among stacks and stacks of somewhat organized, mostly used books (books on wall to wall shelves up to the ceiling, books in milk crates stacked on the floor) in cramped, narrow aisles, this is the place for you. Wallace Books becomes less and less functional with each book they get.

Jo
Review №99

One of the best bookstores Ive ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Da
Review №100

Thanks, Julie, for holding that book for me! I loved visiting your store!And, yes, Ill be back.

Information
55 Photos
100 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:7241 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202, United States
  • Site:http://facebook.com/wallacebooks
  • Phone:+1 503-235-7350
Categories
  • Book store
  • Rare book store
  • Used book store
Working hours
  • Monday:10AM–6PM
  • Tuesday:10AM–6PM
  • Wednesday:10AM–6PM
  • Thursday:10AM–6PM
  • Friday:10AM–6PM
  • Saturday:10AM–6PM
  • Sunday:10AM–5PM
Planning
  • Quick visit:Yes
Similar organizations