Powell's City of Books labyrinthine reputation

Powell's City of Books, founded in 1971, occupies an entire city block in the Pearl District and bills itself as the world's largest independent new and used bookstore, with over a million books in stock. Its multiroom layout, color-coded room signage, and vast stacks have long fueled local lore about getting 'lost' and discovering unexpected finds within the store. Powell's is frequently referenced in Portland tales about the city's literary culture and eccentricities.