These 2 Oregon businesses are ‘worth the drive,’ new survey says

A new national survey found that two Oregon small businesses are among the most visited in the country based on how far people are willing to drive to reach them.

Advance Funds Network, a business finance company, polled more than 3,000 people nationwide and asked which small businesses they would travel more than an hour for.

Powell’s City of Books and Salt & Straw ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in Oregon.

Powell’s City of Books named Oregon’s most visited small business

Powell’s City of Books is a family-owned Portland bookstore recognized as the largest new and used bookstore on the planet.

It opened in 1971 and now occupies an entire city block in the Pearl District. The flagship location holds approximately one million books and includes more than 3,500 sections, with rare books, out-of-print titles, and collectible first editions.

Powell’s hosts monthly author events and readings inside its Basil Hallward Gallery and operates three additional Portland locations, including one at Portland International Airport.

Salt & Straw ranked No. 2 in Oregon

Salt & Straw is a Portland-based ice cream company known for its small-batch flavors and focus on local ingredients.

The business launched in 2011 as a small cart before growing into a national brand. Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia became partial owners in 2019.

Today, Salt & Straw has more than 40 scoop shop locations across the country, and nationwide shipping is available online.

Some of its most recognized flavors include Arbequina Olive Oil, Honey Lavender and Pear and Blue Cheese. New flavors debut every month.

How the rankings were determined

Advance Funds Network ranked 150 businesses across the United States based on customer willingness to drive more than an hour to visit them.

The company described the featured businesses as places that inspire loyalty and personal connection.