Second Shapes Bookstore, which sells used and new books, zines, and art by local creators, hosted its grand opening celebration last weekend at 8124 N. Denver Ave. in Portland, Ore., with a full day of festivities including snacks, story time, a photo booth and a live DJ set.
Before moving to Portland eight years ago, owner Danielle Alexander ran Bombadil Books in Grand Rapids, Mich., a store that doubled as a community organizing space in the wake of the 2016 election. The Oregonian reported that opening a bookstore in her new neighborhood "wasn't part of the plan for Alexander, who now works in federal politics and has advocated for national causes including universal child care. But when President Donald Trump was reelected last year, she began craving ways to contribute that were more deeply rooted in the community."
"For me, books and spaces for community to gather feel really crucial to surviving and organizing and disrupting," Alexander said. "It feels like an act of resistance to the current administration."
The store is divided into two sections, with the front dedicated to the bookstore and the back housing Alexander's partner's woodworking business, Tiny Shed. There is also a back patio for pop-up markets and other events.
Alexander told the Oregonian that uplifting local voices is a priority for the bookstore, which aims to support Portland creators by selling their art and splitting the profits.
"It just felt like the most magical place to do a bookstore, and the whole neighborhood has been so overwhelmingly excited," said Alexander, adding that there is hope in the bookshop's name. Stepping inside her bookstore, she often finds herself shifting from a feeling of helplessness in the face of national events to one of agency and empowerment: "This isn't the shape we have to be in. We can pour ourselves into something new, and I think the way to do that is through community."
In a post-grand opening Facebook post, Alexander noted: "I don't think it's too soon to say this is one of the great, magical moments of my life.... Endless, boundless gratitude for everyone who came out this weekend. May Second Shapes Bookstore continue to be a place of joy and community and holding on to each other forever and ever."