White Rabbit Book Cafe, the Alice in Wonderland-themed bookstore at 503 Main St. in Oregon City, is closing after 12 years.
Owners Danielle and Rolland Walsh announced the closure in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Oct. 14. No reason was given. No specific last day was announced.
"It has been an honor to be a part of this community," the shop wrote. "Thank you for your kindness and consideration of the amazing White Rabbit Book Cafe staff as we complete our tenure on your historic Main Street …"
All scheduled October events will go on as planned, according to the announcement. The shop is also running a buy-two-get-one-free sale on all in-store books as it liquidates inventory. The free book will be the lowest-priced of the three.
Danielle Walsh, a former children's librarian, opened White Rabbit as a small book and gift shop in Oregon City in 2014. The name is a nod to "Alice in Wonderland." In 2017, the Walshes moved the business to its current Main Street location, opening a bookstore-cafe hybrid that also housed their coffee shop, Black Ink. Black Ink has since closed, though White Rabbit still serves Nespresso coffee.
The shop became known for free community events including themed trivia nights, tarot readings, puzzle nights and what it called "boozy" book fairs, The Oregonian reported.
The family-run business also drew a social media following during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Danielle Walsh began hosting weekly livestreams about books and gift items.
The building at 503 Main St. dates to 1919, according to a 2017 Milwaukie Review profile of the shop's opening. It previously housed the Kwality Cafe and later The Wheel Tavern.
Online, supporters shared memories and expressed disappointment. "Your closure will leave a significant hole," one Instagram commenter wrote, according to The Oregonian.
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 21, White Rabbit will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The shop will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
