The Marginalia is an independent, locally owned bookstore and café in Portland, Maine. Everyone's welcome, no reading list required.
Plan Your VisitWe opened The Marginalia in 2019 because we wanted to make the kind of bookstore we'd happily lose an afternoon in.
That meant three things. Books that surprise us. Conversations that go somewhere unexpected. Coffee worth slowing down for.
Our shelves hold new releases, independent publishers, secondhand discoveries, poetry, art books and nonfiction. We believe books are better when they're shared, so we host readings, book clubs and community gatherings throughout the year.
We're a small, locally owned shop, and we'd like you to feel at home in it, whether you've read everything or just came in for a good cup of coffee.
A few things we care about, and how they show up when you walk in.
Our selection leans toward smaller presses, so you'll find books beyond the usual bestseller table.
New, used and in between: there's always something on the shelves you didn't know you were looking for.
Our booksellers enjoy helping you discover something new, and they'll happily point you to books they personally love.
We're deliberately friendly rather than intimidating. You don't need to be a literary expert to enjoy the shop.
Readings, book clubs and community gatherings make us a spot for Portland's literary and creative community to get together.
Come for the coffee, stay for the books. Or stay in touch from afar: join our newsletter and we'll keep you posted on what's happening at the shop.
