Love the store, but I'm not sure I love the architecture, at least what I can tell from that sketch. barfo
Powell's Books is an actual, physical store? Neat. My only exposure to it was when I looked for out-of-print books online, and I often found them offered by Powell's Books.
Oh, what a store it is. A full city block, 2 levels (at least in part) and shelves piled high as an elephant's eye. barfo
It has a built-in coffee shop, but it is not in the center, it is on one corner. Inconvenient, I know. barfo
Powell's is the epitomy of a poor employer, as far as benefits, fair pay, and worker representation in general. Awesome inventory, though.
One of the biggest attractions in the city. I have take all out of town vistors there - and every last one of them has loved it. Why? It's funky, extensive selection and used books right next to the new. A browsers delight.
It has the Anne Hughes coffee shop in the SW corner of the store. As for a "new" Powell's, I'm not a fan. I love the ratty, we-don't-have-room-for-one-more-book kind of feel of the current Powells.
I remember a blog John Canzano did a while back and said he's lived in many cities and have been to many cities and called Powell's books the best ("by far") bookstore in the entire country.
Bigger isn't better. http://www.hennesseyingalls.com/hennessey/ http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/stores/415.store_beverly_hills.htm Powells is ok. dunno, wish it was more modern and less like a big warehouse of crap.