UPDATE: Cameron’s Books is saved from closing, thanks to community help

The owner of Cameron’s Books & Magazines, the oldest bookstore in Portland, said he must close the iconic store by the end of November because his lease was not renewed.

The store, which started in 1938 in another downtown location, has been at 336 S.W. Third Ave. for more than 60 years, said Jeff Frase, only the store’s third owner.

He said that the building was sold last year and that he had hoped to renew his lease, which ended in September.

“Then two weeks ago I got a registered letter from an attorney,” Frase said. “It was out of the blue. I have until Dec. 1 to vacate.”

Frase began working for the store’s second owner in 1982 and bought the store in 1989.

“It’s been a big part of my life,” said Frase, 67.

Frase, who said he has “thousands and thousands” of books, will be selling the inventory at discount prices in the coming weeks.

And then he will retire.

In the meantime, Crystal Zingsheim, who has been working part-time with Frase for nearly 20 years, is trying to raise money to buy the books and periodicals and looking for a location to move the operation while building up the store’s online presence.

Zingsheim, 35, created Cameron’s internet business focusing on rare books and magazines, attracting customers from across the United States.

“They helped us get through the recession,” she said.

Zingsheim, who said she helped her father with his rare book business in San Jose, has launched a kickstarter campaign with a goal to raise $30,000 so she can become the fourth owner of Cameron’s.

“I want to keep Cameron’s alive,” she said. “I want to keep the same name. It’s not about me or Jeff. We are simply caretakers of a legacy.”

--Tom Hallman Jr.

thallman@oregonian.com; 503 221-8224

@thallmanjr