Alberta Street is a charming, bohemian neighborhood with a wide range of family activities. Along this historic street are art spaces like Nucleus Gallery, which sells affordable art from world-renowned artists. There are also classic coffee shops, like Case Study, that make their specialty syrups in-house. In addition, Proud Mary’s Coffee serves a decadent mocha with a giant marshmallow on top that rings of nostalgia. For food and drinks there is the iconic Great Notion Brewing that serves unique beers such as Strawberry Shortcake for the 21 and over crowd. For food, they teamed up with Matt’s BBQ, which is known throughout the country for its chopped brisket taco. Another food option is Bollywood Theater, an Indian restaurant that crafts mouthwatering dishes such as Pork Vindaloo and Paneer Makhani. Furthermore, Alberta Street has an amazing, family-focused children’s bookstore that is always worth a visit. 

On the corner of NE 16th Avenue and NE Alberta Street is Green Bean Books. This children’s bookstore looks almost like a cross between a barn and a cabin on the outside and then transforms into a cozy, whimsical cottage on the inside. Their shelves are lined from floor to ceiling with an amazing selection of books for children of all ages. Every time I go to Green Bean Books, I am blown away by the smiling nature of the staff and the extensive knowledge they have of the books they sell. Without risking over-exaggeration, you could give their staff a long list of items you are looking for in a book, and they could direct you to at least 3 or 4 books that match your criteria. It is refreshing to be in a bookstore that not only includes classic children’s literature but also works by contemporary and local authors. If introducing timeless and modern children’s books to your kids is important, then Green Bean Books will undoubtedly exceed your expectations.    

But Green Bean Books is more than just a bookshop for children. They also offer events throughout the year. Every Tuesday at 11:00 am, they host weekly Story Time. Other upcoming events are on Sunday, November 10th, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, which is their Read to a Therapy Dog, in which kids can practice their reading skills with a friendly dog at the bookstore. Parents must reserve a time with Green Bean Books for this activity. On Thursday, November 21st, at 11:00 am, they will be hosting Spanish-speaking story time, and all children and their families are welcome to attend. Green Bean Books also has a Youth Advisory Board, which functions as a book club for kids. They meet once a month and enjoy some fun perks like receiving advanced reader copies of upcoming books, writing reviews, and meeting authors. In addition to all these activities, Green Bean Books holds regular Virtual Events for families to participate in.   

I enjoyed speaking with the founder, Jennifer, of Green Bean Books to learn more about this incredible place. Her main goal is to create a space that makes everyone feel welcome while inspiring a love of reading. Every book for sale has been carefully selected to keep quality levels high. Many of you will be aware that other bookstores tend to simply make bulk purchases of whatever books they can get at a discount. At Green Bean Books, care and consideration for everything they sell is paramount.  But this place does more than just sell books. Jennifer pointed out to me that it is also a place of discovery. Inside are kid-friendly vending machines that dispense age-appropriate homemade crafts. There are also hidden dioramas, and inside are surprises that correspond to books in the store. Jennifer has built a great sense of community at Green Bean Books. It is a wonderful place for families to spend time together, connect with other families, and grab a book on their way out. 

This bookshop goes above and beyond in every aspect. A clear indicator is that the parents get excited over the selection of books on Green Bean’s shelves. There is so much to do in this charming bookstore set right on Alberta Street that you will want to return regularly. It is also seamless to make a morning or early afternoon family outing out of it. Parking in Portland is relatively easy, and the sidewalks during the day are never too crowded. There are many great coffee and food options for the entire family as well. And, of course, I would highly recommend either starting your outing or ending it at Green Bean Books. It is a great bookshop that your kids and yourself will adore.