Chaparral Books Opened Second Location in Portland
The bookstore has expanded into Suite 104 of the Ford Building on SE 11th Ave.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Chaparral Books has officially launched its second storefront in Portland, settling into the Ford Building at 2505 SE 11th Ave. Owners John and Sue Thomas aim to cultivate a welcoming community atmosphere with this new expansion.
Why it matters
This expansion broadens access to the independent bookstore’s curated selection of used fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and art books. It allows the business to foster a more accessible, centralized community hub for local readers.
The new bookstore occupies Suite 104 within the Ford Building at 2505 SE 11th Ave. This adds a second branch to the business alongside the original location at 5210 S Corbett Ave.
The players
John Thomas
He is the co-owner of Chaparral Books and managed the expansion into the Ford Building.
Sue Thomas
She co-owns Chaparral Books and oversees operations at both city locations.
Charles Seluzicki
He was a Portland figure whose former book collection is now featured at the shop.
The details
The shop specializes in used inventory across genres including art and poetry, notably featuring a collection once owned by the late Charles Seluzicki. While operating physical storefronts, the business continues to manage inventory sales through its website and platforms like ABE books, Alibris, and Amazon.
Timeline
The new store location was established in October 2026.
Charles Seluzicki died in Portland in 2024.
Market Landscape
The opening of the new Chaparral Books location follows the broader national trend of independent bookstore expansion and community-focused retail growth. This move strengthens the company’s local market presence against larger online retailers by emphasizing a physical, community-driven experience.
Local readers can now visit the new Ford Building shop to browse the inventory in person rather than relying solely on online platforms. This provides customers with more convenient access to the specialized poetry and art book collections maintained by the store.
The takeaway
Supporting local independent bookstores helps preserve specialized collections that might otherwise be lost to large-scale retail liquidation. Residents are encouraged to visit the new Ford Building site to explore the unique inventory firsthand.
Further reading
For more on local retail updates, visit the Portland Openings & Closings section.
More information
Browse the full inventory or learn about store hours on the Chaparral Books official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Southeast Examiner of Portland Oregon.
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