Beaumont Village has been without a bookstore for several years. The wait for a new one is over with the addition of Sunrise Books, upstairs at 4605 NE Fremont, Suite 208. Opened in October last year by native Portlander and energetic entrepreneur Edith Johnson, the space is diminutive, but cozy and welcoming. Strollers can be accommodated by an elevator at the back of the courtyard.
While Johnson will expand into books for adults in the future, her focus for now is on children’s books that fall into specific categories: faith, funny, and family.
“In the ‘funny’ category,” she said, “I love laugh-out-loud books that make you grab your heart.”
Johnson herself laughed out loud a lot during the interview, an infectious laugh reflecting an open, honest nature. With three kids under seven years of age and a husband who works full-time, a sense of humor is likely a requirement for launching a business that takes so much of her time. And while she earned a degree in finance from a university in North Carolina, it’s passion—not numbers—that propels her in this project.
“I want to inspire and to build community with this bookstore!” she shouts to the room with a huge smile on her face.
Johnson put a toe in the bookstore water with a couple of pop-up children’s story time events at Happy Day Juice with great results.
“The people who came were so nice, and I could see it was a community of readers and families.” That pop-up success became a driving force in locating in BV. “I said a prayer to God because at that moment I knew I wanted to be in this neighborhood.”
Later, a booth at Fremont Fest and some chance conversations led her to the upstairs location and a lease she can just manage. Thus far Johnson’s been embraced by her business neighbors who help send people her way. Social media on platforms such as PDX Parent and others help drive customers her way, too.
For hours of operation, special events, and story times visit sunrisebookstore.com.