If you have ever met Dianna Cribbins Francis then you already know why the Arcade Book Exchange is still in business and thriving. A more knowledgeable and hard-working person you will never find. Located at 136 SE 3rd Ave Ste 300, Hillsboro, Oregon, this bookstore gem has something for everyone and an incredible selection. You really have to check out this place!
This weekend is a great opportunity for you to do just that. The store is celebrating 50 years in business, and from 1-4 PM, they have great things going. On their Facebook Page, she shared this:
Just a reminder that our 50th Anniversary celebration is fast approaching! In addition to refreshments, we will have 20% off all sales (excluding legal forms), and from 1 pm to 4pm, all NEW books will be 50 % off the (already discounted) sticker price. Hope to see you all there!!
50% off is an amazing price, and we usually find used books we love.
I asked Dianna about when she first got involved with the business.
“The store opened in the Weil Arcade in June of 1973. I went to work there in 9th and 10th grade for Jonnie Robinson, who owned it. I graduated from HilHi in 1977 and then ended up coming back to the store in 1986 and worked as the manager until 1993, when I bought the business,” she said.
Right now, Dianna is eight months away from retiring and selling the business to a friend; Lori Carroll, who owns Jan’s Books in Beaverton, will carry the torch after that.
Remembering her time with the store, Dianna reflected. “The best thing about this place is that I have been able to work for myself. I do what I love. It has been stressful at times. But I have made a living of it and have met so many special people over the years”.
We can all reflect on the plight of bookstores over the past 20 years or so. For the most part, they have all disappeared. The Arcade Book Exchange is one of the only stores that has survived the E-Book revolution and the Covid attack. As things stand, Hillsboro is at 110,000 people, and this little shop remains the only lighthouse of hope for the used bookstores in Hillsboro. Book lovers everywhere should come to the event and grab some deals from this local treasure.
We thank Dianna for her years of service to our people and community. We wish her a Happy 50th and a great weekend ahead!
Congratulations to Dianna and Arcade Book Store
Congratulations Dianna love you so much Caren 💞
I remember getting a lot of excellent Sci-fi novels by the masters during the time Arcade Book Exchange was on Main Street in the Weil( sp) Arcade. Shared space with a clock and watch repair shop. Still have a lot of their books in my library picked up during the mid to late 70’s. A lady with a Southern accent was the clerk in the store at that time.