Powell’s reopens at Portland International Airport with expanded store as terminal project nears completion

Powell’s returns to Portland International Airport after pandemic-era closure

Powell’s Books has re-established a full retail presence at Portland International Airport (PDX), marking a return for the Portland-based bookseller after its airport store and kiosk closed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The comeback aligns with the airport’s multi-year main terminal redevelopment, which has reorganized concessions and added new retail and dining concepts across the terminal footprint.

The airport’s first phase of the rebuilt main terminal opened in August 2024, while additional areas have continued to come online in subsequent phases. During the staggered rollout, some local brands initially operated smaller temporary formats before expanding into larger, permanent spaces as construction advanced.

Lease approval and the timing of the airport’s phased redevelopment

In June 2024, airport governance documents show approval for a concessions lease for a Powell’s bookstore at PDX. Planning materials tied to the terminal program also anticipated a kiosk-to-full-store transition as the broader expansion progressed, with the airport’s construction communications describing a phased opening schedule that would culminate with additional main terminal capacity coming online in early 2026.

For travelers, the result is a retail bookstore offering that resembles a traditional Powell’s outpost more than a limited “grab-and-go” kiosk: a broader book assortment intended for in-flight reading, along with gift and travel-related items commonly associated with the brand’s airport retail format.

What travelers can expect: hours, location context, and retail mix

PDX’s concessions strategy has emphasized local operators and Oregon-based brands, and a Powell’s store fits that approach in a terminal environment known for showcasing regional businesses. Public-facing visitor information lists a Powell’s presence at PDX with set daily operating hours, reflecting the bookstore’s role as an all-day retail option for departing and arriving passengers moving through the terminal.

• Powell’s previously maintained an airport retail presence for decades prior to the 2020 shutdown.

• The terminal redevelopment introduced a period where some retailers operated smaller footprints while permanent spaces were completed.

• The expanded Powell’s format at PDX is part of the broader concession buildout accompanying the main terminal’s phased reopening.

PDX’s main terminal program has proceeded in stages since construction began in 2020, with major openings beginning in August 2024 and additional space scheduled to come online in early 2026.

Why the reopening matters for PDX’s retail landscape

Airport bookstores serve a practical niche—last-minute purchases, travel reading, and gifts—while also operating as visible brand statements in high-traffic public infrastructure. Powell’s return restores a recognizable Portland retail institution to the passenger experience at a moment when PDX is actively reintroducing and expanding local concessions after several years of construction-related disruption.