Lake Oswego has a new, family-centered bookstore that has everything you could ever ask for. The Thirsty Caterpillar officially welcomed their first customers on Friday, and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek the day before. As soon as I stepped in, I could feel this place was uniquely special and would appeal to people of all ages.
The store is spacious, but not an endless wasteland. Instead, the books are carefully curated to grab your attention according to your reading interests. A frustration I have with other bookstores is that they rely heavily on physical advertising for their products. Instead, the Thirsty Caterpillar is set up to invite you to find the perfect book. In our algorithm-driven lives, this new bookstore gives you the space to organically connect with a story, without social media influencing you to buy it.
Elizabeth Rogers is the founder and owner of Thirsty Caterpillar. Her vision has been several years in the making, and seeing it in person shows it has paid off quite well. Rogers had a happy, successful career in the corporate world but still felt a longing not just to open a bookstore but to create a space for community. Rogers’ passion for books and for creating a community-centered space shines brightly as you walk through here.
As she showed me around her store, I could clearly see that she has a deep passion and knowledge for books. Rogers is not letting stale, regurgitated trends dictate this space. Instead, she is paying homage to the Pacific Northwest while centering it around the family and book lovers. Every detail, even down to the decorative trinkets, has a story behind it, which is fitting for a space where stories surround you.
The Thirsty Caterpillar has much to offer, including its book subscriptions. With flexible options, you can become a member with many perks, including access to books, discounts, and more. Being a member of your local bookstore is a great way to discover new books and a perfect way to stay connected to your community.
They also have a fantastic play garden built for little ones to climb, explore, and maybe even to cozy up with a good book. This space is designed for imaginative adventure, all within the safe walls of an enchanted bookshop. When I saw the play garden during my visit, I immediately knew it was a place I would take my own children. Memberships are available to access the play garden, but a day pass is also available at checkout.
Located inside this lovely space is a full-scale coffee bar. My first thought when seeing the coffee area was that it would be amazing to come here, grab an espresso (or two), and knock out a few chapters of whatever book I am reading at the moment.
There is also an incredible wine selection that you can either purchase to-go or enjoy while there. Elizabeth told me that these wines are not found anywhere else locally. And as someone thinks of myself as being fairly well-versed in wines, she was totally right. Every single bottle there was thoughtfully selected to fit the atmosphere of the Thirsty Caterpillar.
The coffee bar and wine shop fit seamlessly here, which elevates this store beyond just another bookshop. It is a place to play, explore, and settle in with a good book. Too many stores feel bogged down by the dictates of social media. But here at the Thirsty Caterpillar, they put the local community first, not the algorithm.
I love books and bookstores, and I especially love taking my family to visit them. But if I am being honest, sometimes it feels like I am walking into a wave of either sterile marketing campaigns or a warehouse. The Thirsty Caterpillar resists these stereotypes. It is a visionary space created by someone with a passion for books and her community.
Having a space such as this in Lake Oswego is great for the community and a way to encourage reading and imagination. Modern conveniences have certainly shifted over the years, which means people tend to shop less in person. But, in my opinion, nothing will ever beat walking inside a bookstore.
Located at 4200 Mercantile Drive. Suite 720, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, make sure to take the time to check this place out. The Thirsty Caterpillar reinvigorates a love for books, whimsy, and imagination for the entire family.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.