Belmont Books – Dear Liza

Bookin’ It

Dear Liza,

When we moved from Salinas to Portland seven years ago, we brought way too many books. I mean, we loved them, but they just wouldn’t fit in our new house. We sold what we could to second hand shops and gave dozens more away to local libraries.

Eventually, we culled down our collection to much-loved books that would fit in our space. Compromise triumphed, and Peace was at hand.

But they kept coming in! Years of Birthday gifts, book shop purchases and Tiny Free Library finds trickled in, squeezing into spaces, and before we knew it, we were up to our literary eyebrows in books again.

Time to cull some more. Over many weeks, I pulled books off the shelves and into a box in the garage. One box became two, and it was time.

Auntie Bridgett and I chose a bright, dry day, loaded up the wagon, and headed down to Belmont Books. Joe will pay cash for books, but is more generous with store credit. And, though it sets of a self-perpetuating cycle, we take it.

Because, you know… books. A cumbersome, but mostly harmless, addiction.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Shopping Locally

Dear Liza,

Even though I made some gifts, there is still a lot of shopping to be done for Christmas! Faraway friends and family receive, and we received from them, edible goodies from companies like Harry and David, The Fruit Company, and Nut Cravings.

But for those closer to home, we have wonderful local shops to enjoy. Mix Tape is a vintage shop that has been on SE Belmont for years, and has just moved into a bigger place!

We were sad to see Noun, at the corner of SE 33rd and Belmont, close last year as its owners moved on to other things, but Mix Tape has moved in and made the most of all the new square footage.

Mix Tape has a more 80s vibe, which isn’t my favorite era (I missed a lot of it, being inside cuddling babies) but has real good vintage boots, clothing, jewelry and even VHS movies!

And just a block down Belmont, the space that Mix Tape left is being filled as Belmont books, run by Joe Witt, expands. He’s not quite all set up yet, but there’s a lot to see!

Further south, Hawthorne Street has a lot of shops, too. Tender Loving Empire, Presents of Mind and Asylum are full of goodies, and books, many by local authors. Sadly, there were so many shoppers that the small shops just didn’t feel Covid-safe, so we headed out into the fresh air and home.

With Omicron making even small gatherings feel scary (again), it is looking to be a quiet, home-bound holiday. Stay safe, and we will get together when we can.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Street Art on Belmont

Dear Liza,

With the corona virus shutting all our favorite businesses down, our neighborhood has gotten a lot quieter. Last Friday, we walked past half a dozen boarded up buildings to get take- out food for dinner. It could feel sad and lonely, but Portland artists have stepped up to help.

Yesterday, Auntie Bridgett and I walked down to Belmont Books. She had contacted Joe, the owner, and asked about a particular book on pattern and design, and he had found it! He has re-organized his shop layout so that the counter is just at the door. When he is open, you can walk right up and ask him about books on a subject and he will hunt them up for you.

On the way home, we walked by our old pinball haunt, The Belmont Inn. It is not a high end place, sort of a dive bar…. but it’s OUR dive bar, you know? Pinball and pool tables, and televisions where there was always some game on. Beer on tap and ciders.

Now, the windows are completely boarded up, so we have no idea what’s going on inside. Are they laying new carpet? Painting the walls? Dancing the hokey pokey? No clue.

But what we can see, the art on the boards, is adorable and quirky. There seem to be several artists with very different styles sharing the space. Sweet lambs pose on light backgrounds and geometric colors are on one panel, and just next door is a garish red Wolf telling us to Stay Home and Stay Safe.

Child-like optimism is what we have to go on….

Since art usually has a message, are we the sheep? Is corona virus the wolf? I will leave that to the philosophers. I am just glad to have bright paintings to look at.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Out and About, Properly Masked

Dear Liza,

After getting to chat with our neighbors last evening, I felt less like a hermit who wanted to stay in her cave. Today I got my mask on and walked three pleasant miles around the neighborhood.

I headed east on Belmont, because I knew heading UP hill first would make the return trip easier. I enjoyed the feeling of really warm sun on my face, and the incredible blooms that Portland offers in spring.

I passed Heritage tree #241, a wonderful Japanese Maple at the corner of 37th and SE Alder. It shades about 50 square feet of yard and sidewalk, stands 30 feet tall, and is simply a beautiful thing. It also gave me the metaphor of the day, The Light At The End Of The Tunnel. It’s more about getting past despair than the virus at this point. And it’s coming soon.

Down on Hawthorne Street, I stopped at one of the few places still serving lunch, The Whole Bowl. Its tiny dining room was closed, but they were still serving wonderful spicy bowls for a good price. I was happy to eat, and they were happy for the business!

I noticed all the businesses we love that are closed for now, and wondered how many will be able to open again. Zach’s Shack, Belmont Books, even Powell’s, a branch of the mighty local bookstore. They are all suffering from loss or total lack of business.

Then I saw a bench with words of hope, finished my lunch in the sun, and cheered up. Passing a million more azaleas, lilacs, and dogwoods on the way, I headed home.

Love,

Grandma Judy

New Bookstores!!

Dear Liza,

**The Front of Backstory Books and Yarn**

You know how much I love books. The hardest things we gave away when we were moving were all those old friends between covers. But now I can see all my old friends and even make new ones: There are two new bookshops in the neighborhood!

I’ve mentioned Backstory Books and Yarn, on Hawthorne. This is a bookshop which has recently changed hands and re-opened. The former owner is in her 80s and has retired, selling the shop to Amanda, the new owner. The former owner still lives in the house in back of the shop, though. It must be rewarding to see the business she built with her late husband continue to grow and thrive.

I hope she can make it happen, since she is just a few blocks away from Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, which is a branch of the bigger Powell’s store downtown and very strong competition.

Closer to our house is Belmont Books, on Belmont Street, which is so new it doesn’t even have a sign yet. We visited the other day and met Joe, the proprietor, and Mitch, his friend and fellow book-scout. Belmont Books is smaller than Backstory, but the stock is very well-chosen. We chatted with Joe about his process of collecting books, and he mentioned the Belmont library “Friends of the Library” book sale, which sounds like something I will need to look for.

**Still waiting for a proper sign on Belmont**

Both these bookshops are independent, which means they aren’t part of any bigger company. They are run BY people who love books, FOR people who love books. You know, people like me!

Love,

Grandma Judy