Looking for a bookstore in Bend, Oregon that rewards wandering without making you work for it? Big Story Bookstore is the kind of place where you can arrive for one title and leave with a Pacific Northwest field guide, a used classic, and a new reason to give yourself more time in town.
At 228 NE Greenwood Ave., Big Story is Central Oregon’s largest independent bookstore, with a carefully edited mix of used and new books, films, vinyl, and a changing collection of unusual finds. It is an easy add-on to a Bend day built around downtown, the river, or a slower afternoon indoors when the weather turns.
Big Story Bookstore at a glance
- Address: 228 NE Greenwood Ave., Bend, OR 97701
- Phone: (541) 617-9271
- What you’ll find: New and used books, films, vinyl, rare and collectible titles, and Pacific Northwest/local-interest picks
- Hours: The shop lists regular and seasonal hours on its official website; check before a special trip because holiday and summer hours can change.
A Bend bookstore built for curious readers
Big Story opened in 2017 and has always leaned into the pleasure of browsing: a bright, thoughtfully arranged space with a selection chosen for more than sheer quantity. The store’s current owners, Rian and Alyssa Heim, took over in early 2021 and continue to run it as a locally owned, family-operated Bend business.
That matters because this is not just a shelf of bestsellers. Big Story says its collection includes more than 25,000 used and new books, plus hundreds of films and vinyl records. Expect durable classics, contemporary releases, nonfiction, stranger discoveries, and titles that reward someone who has already read the obvious thing.
What to browse at Big Story
If you are visiting Central Oregon, start with the Pacific Northwest and local-interest shelves. The store’s current online collection highlights subjects that actually fit a Bend trip—birds, mushrooms, trees, foraging, geology, hiking, wildlife, and regional history—alongside fiction and general-interest reading.
Collectors and gift hunters should also leave time for the rare-and-collectible selection. Inventory changes, which is the point: an independent bookstore is most useful when it is allowed to surprise you. If you are after one specific title, Big Story accepts book requests and says it can check its shelves or explore a special order if the book is not available.
Selling, trading, and giving books another life
Big Story also accepts books through its sell, trade, and donate program, and handles estate collections. What a bookstore needs changes with its shelves, so do not load up the car on a guess—review the shop’s current guidance or contact the store first. It is a better plan for both you and the staff.
A small local program with a good Oregon story
In 2023, Big Story partnered with Redmond Municipal Airport on the Big Story Flybrary. The bookstore delivers books it cannot use to the airport, where travelers can pick them up for free. It is a simple, useful answer to the question of what happens to books that do not fit one shop’s shelves—and a nice bit of local character if you are flying through RDM.
Make it part of a Bend day
Big Story works best as a deliberate pause, not a rushed errand. Give yourself time to browse, then use it as a jumping-off point for the rest of town. For where to stay, how to choose a neighborhood, river time, food, and the larger outdoor itinerary, start with our complete Bend travel guide.
Big Story Bookstore FAQ
Is Big Story the largest independent bookstore in Central Oregon?
Yes. Big Story is described by Travel Oregon as Central Oregon’s largest independent bookstore. Its own site says the shop carries more than 25,000 used and new books, along with vinyl and films.
Where is Big Story Bookstore in Bend?
The bookstore is at 228 NE Greenwood Ave. in Bend, Oregon. Use the shop’s official site or map link for current directions and visit details.
Can Big Story order a book it does not have?
Big Story invites shoppers to submit a title-and-author request. The store says it will check its shelves and can explore special ordering when a book is not in stock.
What are Big Story Bookstore’s hours?
The retailer lists regular and seasonal hours online. Because extended summer and holiday hours can vary, verify the current schedule directly with Big Story before you go.
Information checked September 2026. Selection, buying criteria, events, and hours can change; confirm time-sensitive details with Big Story Bookstore before visiting.
