About Us
J&A (Jan’s & Arcade Book Exchange) is an independent, queer woman-owned bookstore specializing in fiction paperback books. This is not all we do,
but it is the majority.
The story of Jan's.
Jan's opened in 1981 in Aloha, Oregon; a suburb on the west side of Portland. In 2018, Jan's moved to Downtown Beaverton. In 2024, Jan's went into storage after a few too many rent increases. In 2025, a seemingly perfect opportunity opened up and we moved into the Raleigh Hills suburb of SW Portland.
With a passion for books, Jan C. first opened the store in March 1981.
With bookcases built by her husband and index cards to keep track of customers' credit, the store flourished through the 1980s and 1990s.
Jan was ready for a change in 2000 and sold the store to longtime customer
and employee, Debbie. Debbie spent the next 18 years upgrading
and growing Jan's, bringing in a computerized records system,
and remodeling the store.
In 2018, it was time for Debbie to move on to the next chapter of her life,
selling the store to longtime customer, Lori. After 37 years in Aloha,
Jan's lost their lease and needed to move. At the same time as Lori taking over the store, it was time to find a new location and move 37 years
of history. Rebuilding the community in Downtown Beaverton, both for the store and the location, Lori found what she thought would be Jan's forever home. Alas, it was not to be and a few heart-wrenching decisions later Jan's went into storage for a year while we waited for a space to fit us.
July 2024, the next chapter...
Arcade Book Exchange was opened inside the Weil Arcade Building
on June 1st, 1973 by Johnnie P. Dianna began working there while in high school that very year. After managing the store from 1986 through 1993, Dianna bought Arcade Book Exchange on December 1st, 1993.
After 50 years, Dianna was ready to retire and move with her family
to Myrtle Point. Dianna approached Lori about taking over Arcade after watching how she handled Jan's.
July 1st, 2024 not knowing what was coming down the tracks for Jan's, Lori took over managing Arcade.
One Year Later...August 2025.
A fateful phone call from Scholls Crossing informing us about a space that was opening up in their complex in the Six Corners area of Raleigh Hills. The right size, the right monthly amount...and a great location. But can we really keep two stores open? In this economy? No. Really we can't. So, more tough decisions to be made. We decided to combine both stores into one and move to Raleigh Hills.
August 26th 2025, exactly one year after we closed Jan's in Downtown Beaverton we reopened Jan's in Raleigh Hills bringing Arcade Book Exchange with us.
Now operating as J&A, Jan's & Arcade Book Exchange, we build again. Stay tuned for the many more years of books and community!
More than books.
Reading is what we love, what we do, what we specialize in. But just as reading can encapsulate more than just books, so too do we.
Outside of carrying a wide range of new and used books, we carry cards, calendars, puzzles, bookmarks, gift tags, postcards, candles, soaps, coloring books, and the list goes on.
We have partnered with many local artists to bring you a wide range of locally handmade goods. You can not only shop local, but you can shop small all in one space. If you're looking for a gift idea, we've got plenty.
If you're looking for something in particular, chances are we can order it. Swing through and check us out or give us a call.
Meet Lori.
If you follow our social media, it will be no surprise that I love books, coffee, animals, and the color purple. I also love making connections with people. The bookstore has been such a perfect place for me.
Oh, and Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday!
The tiara/crown collection came about because one of my personas/ nicknames is Queen. I was dubbed Queen Lori in eighth-grade biology,
which will surprise exactly no one that knows me.
From 2005 to 2025 I was a romance only reader. With everything that happened in 2024 and 2025 my mind needed to expand, so I began attempting to read via audiobooks which allowed me to explore other genres. I've been enjoying some non-fiction, fantasy and fiction books although suspense/mystery still elude my attention.
The good news is, I love talking about ALL books with people. The joy that people get from reading every type of book is infectious to me.
I've learned a lot about books I will never pick up just from people telling me about them.
My superpower is figuring out what book someone might like.
For some reason, my brain has an endless capacity to remember books, series, authors, etc.
My other loves include animals and traveling. As you get to know me, you will here about dogs, cats, goats, and cruises.
That's me in a nutshell.