Why does nobody talk about the weird smell in used bookstores in Portland

I visited Powell's in Portland last week and noticed this musty, sweet smell that's totally different from any other bookstore. It's like old paper mixed with something earthy. Has anyone else picked up on that or is it just me?

2 comments

2 Comments

drew_reed621mo ago

Funny you mention Powell's specifically... I worked there part time for like 3 years back in 2015. That smell you're describing - it's not just old books. The building used to be a car dealership in the 1920s, and there's all this residual motor oil soaked into the concrete floors under the carpet. Gets mixed with the paper dust and the mold from the basement where they keep the rare stuff. That sour-sweet note is actually old gear oil breaking down. Nobody ever believes me when I tell them that.

dianahayes1mo ago

Wait, really? Same thing happened at the old library here, oil stains under everything.

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