Third Street Books - McMinnville, OR

Third Street Books, McMinnville, OR

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On my Oregon journey of bookstores, all along my trail I was hearing about Third Street Books in McMinnville.  Bookstore people are such a kind cooperative bunch, always supporting each other.  “Are you going to Third Street Books?  You have have to go to Third Street Books, that is a great store.”  Yes, it is.  “Give our regards to Sylla, she’s wonderful.”  I didn’t get to meet her but I’m sure of this.  And these compliments came from different people at different bookstores, completely unsolicited.  I can confirm everything I was told and then some. 

This renowned Oregon indie has been on an approximately 40 year run of book-selling and when I asked store manager Tracy what the secret was she easily responded, a fantastic community.  This is the frequent answer for any bookstore that has been around for a few decades.  One advantage for Third Street is its excellent location downtown on the busiest street with a vibrant and impressive shopping district.  One thing Third Street tries to provide is one-stop shopping and I can see that with the variety of sidelines.  Books, greeting cards, and unique gift items all complement each other nicely to help provide an enjoyable bookstore experience.  

Neatly organized and displayed throughout are new and used books, all shelved together.  You can identify the used books by the red dots on the spines.  If you bring in your books they’ll offer store credit.  I really like that they have the used books on a data base so they know what they have.  If you can’t visit in person, consider going to their website and placing an order.  This made a big difference during the pandemic (along with excellent puzzle sales which continue to remain strong).  In addition to puzzles, they also offer stickers, greeting cards, raunchy socks, journals, and something called Itty Bitties that you’ll see at the checkout counter.

By the time you read this, Tracy will no longer be at the store, moving onto a new chapter in her life.  She carried her bookstore talents to the finish line and was terrific to talk to along with bookseller Nathan.  It is ALWAYS an enjoyable visit when I get to talk books with fantastic people like this.

40 years and amazing community members = they’re doing things right.  If you’ve never been to Third Street Books, it’s time to check out this legendary bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Shuggie Bain, Douglas Stuart.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Two pairs of naughty bookstore socks and a sticker.  

McMinnville pride!  I love this mural.  

Another view of the storefront. 

Display windows run the width of the storefront. 

Let the shopping begin. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance.

An assortment of quirky bookstore socks offered. 

Over to the right after entering and browse the attractive display of staff picks and bestsellers. 

Many attractive table displays. 

 A few of the items of local and regional interest. 

Tourists will enjoy a great section of travel books. 

Unique and reusable bags. 

Make this last minute purchase at the checkout counter. 

A sampling of the stickers offered. 

Just a few of the staff picks. 

Head to the right side of the store for this browsing experience. 

Need another journal for school?  Get it here. 

Proceed under this perfect slogan to the back of the store.

A self-help table of books and comfort items. 

Don't know if I've ever seen this genre but I love it!

Puzzles were huge for many bookstores during the pandemic. 

This is outside of the children's area.  A secret entrance (or exit!). 

If you enter through the blue curtain, you'll come out through the red curtain into the children's area. 

Looking into the children's section. 

An overview of the children's area. 

This is a good marker designating the children's section. 

View looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance. 

What a great idea to get kids involved with the bookstore. 

If crossword puzzles are your thing, find this spinner. 

If you don't know this author, you would recognize him as Dwight on the TV show, "The Office."

With Tracy, the fine store manager at the time of my visit.  Thanks for a great visit.