Mar 19

Mar 19 Book Sale for Boys Fort

Portland’s best men’s boutique could use our help.

BY DAN DEWEESE

FOR THE LAST two years, in addition to teaching at Portland State University and serving as the publisher and editor of Propeller Books and of this fine website, I have also been the book buyer for Boys Fort. Propeller’s relationship with Boys Fort goes back many years, and how and why I became the book buyer for Portland’s best men’s boutique as a side gig can be related in further detail in later posts or over late-evening drinks, if and when people return to having late-evening drinks with one another.

But like all small businesses right now, Boys Fort is trying to find a way to survive the extended and unprecedented absence of any income. The store has inventory to pay for, downtown Portland rent and utilities bills, and payroll to make—but is suffering the same dramatic disappearance of income that most small businesses are suffering right now, as the Covid-19 pandemic roils our society.

I, however, have access to Boys Fort’s books. Since I am currently trying to think through how best to teach remotely at Portland State University when spring classes start March 30th, I don’t have time to create an entire online Boys Fort bookstore. But I do have time to put one or two titles on Propeller’s website each day, with information not only about the title, but maybe also with a few additional few words about why I selected that title for the Fort. Propeller will forward all proceeds from sales of these books to Boys Fort.

I have no illusions that this will make some kind of massive impact in Boys Fort’s finances, but maintaining at least some sort of short-term cash flow for the store can’t hurt, and it seems like this is a time to try whatever can be tried.

The first title I have access to, because I have extra copies in the warehouse (my basement), is this beauty:

I have three copies (two of them still plastic-wrapped), which I have posted for sale in a new “Boys Fort Book Sale” section of our online store. Shipping will be free. So all of you Muhammad Ali fans who are also fans of a local business that has been offering Portlanders creative and inspired gifts for many years—this book is waiting for you.