We’re glad you’re here. Our mission is to uplift people from marginalized communities.
Browse our diverse books, pull up a chair, and enjoy a great cup of coffee. You’re welcome here.
We’re glad you’re here. Our mission is to uplift people from marginalized communities.
Browse our diverse books, pull up a chair, and enjoy a great cup of coffee. You’re welcome here.
Hi, we’re Tim and Ali Shaw, and we’re so glad you’re here!
We’ve dreamed of opening a coffee shop bookstore for years. With Ali's twenty years' experience in the book business and Tim's counseling and social work background for the past twenty-two years, we both have a dedication to creating safe spaces for people from marginalized communities to gather and uplift your voices. Combine all that with a passion for good coffee, and BOLD Coffee & Books was born.
When you come in, you’ll probably notice that at least 80 percent of our book and gift stock is by and about people who are BIPOC, AAPI, disabled/differently abled, immigrants, refugees, low-SES, adoptees, or another community of people that has been underrepresented. We are honored to showcase these stories and crafts, and we hope you’ll be inspired to join us in our mission.
BOLD is a family business too. We launched it in 2024, and we hope it will continue for many years, not only as a safe place for the community but also for our family. Our children joined our family through adoption in 2020 and fit several of the above categories. Many of the items you see in the shop, especially the Bulgarian goods, are an invitation to celebrate our children’s heritage with us. We are honored to be their family and get to blaze a path for them to see more representation, more support, more equity in the world.
Our Mission
At BOLD Coffee & Books, we strive to offer premier coffee drinks, varied and inclusive book selections, unique events, and a community-building space.
We do all this by:
- Sourcing high-quality beans and roasting services pressed and served by well-trained baristas
- Featuring national books by and about historically underrepresented people, books by local (Oregon and Southwest Washington) authors looking to build positive social change, and writing materials for writers of all levels
- Hosting events featuring authors, musicians, and artists from Portland’s robust creative community
- Showcasing and selling art by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant, or otherwise marginalized artists
- Utilizing comfortable and accessible furnishings and decor to create a welcoming space
- Providing meeting space for local organizations working to influence positive societal change
The BOLD Vision
To create a welcoming and safe space for coffee and book lovers—both those who decide to come in because they see us while visiting neighboring shops, and those who view us as a destination bookstore for well-curated diverse titles, writing workshops, local author events, and more.
Core Values
Social Justice, Atmosphere, Flavor, Diversity, Opportunity, Mutual Benefit, Sustainability