About Page & Binding

A neighborhood bookshop built on the belief that the right book at the right time can change everything.

Our Story

Page & Binding was opened in 2012 by Clara Whitfield, a former high school English teacher who spent twenty years watching students fall in love with books -- and who believed every neighborhood deserves a great bookshop of its own.

What started as a 600-square-foot storefront on Hawthorne Avenue with three bookshelves and a dream has grown into a 3,000-square-foot literary haven. We have expanded twice, added a coffee bar, and built a community of readers who feel more like family than customers.

Our philosophy is simple: we read everything we sell. Every title on our shelves has been personally recommended by a member of our staff. We don't carry books because an algorithm told us to. We carry books because we stayed up too late reading them and couldn't wait to put them in someone else's hands.

Meet the Team

The people behind the recommendations, the events, and the really good lattes.

Clara Whitfield

Owner & Head Buyer

Former English teacher turned bookseller. Clara reads 150 books a year and has an uncanny ability to match any reader with their perfect next read. She handles all buying and curates our fiction and poetry sections.

James Okafor

Events Manager

James runs our author events, book clubs, and community partnerships. A former librarian with a gift for bringing people together over stories. He curates our non-fiction and local authors sections.

Amara Chen

Barista & Bookseller

Amara pulls the best espresso on Hawthorne and knows the children's section inside and out. She runs our Saturday story hour and has turned more reluctant readers into bookworms than she can count.

The Space

More than a shop. A place to slow down, discover, and belong.

Reading Nook

Armchairs, warm light, and no rush

Coffee Bar

Single-origin espresso and homemade pastries

Children's Corner

Low shelves, tiny chairs, big imaginations

Local Authors Shelf

Dedicated to Portland writers

Rare Books Section

First editions and vintage finds

Our Sections

Carefully organized so you can browse by mood, curiosity, or happy accident.

Fiction Non-Fiction Poetry Children's Young Adult Local Authors Rare & Vintage

In the Community

A bookshop belongs to its neighborhood. Here is how we show up for ours.

Annual Book Drive

Every December we collect and donate over 2,000 books to local shelters and community centers. Drop off gently used books any time of year.

School Partnerships

We partner with five local schools to supply classroom libraries, host field trips, and bring authors into classrooms throughout the school year.

Local Author Spotlights

Every month we feature a Portland-area author with a dedicated display, staff interview, and in-store reading. Supporting local literary voices is in our DNA.

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."
-- Jorge Luis Borges

Come Say Hello

Whether you are looking for your next great read or just a quiet place to sit with a good cup of coffee, our door is always open.

Plan Your Visit