Cognitive Surplus, an Oregon-based retailer of math- and science-themed stationery, apparel and home goods, plans to open a store at 503 Main St., the former White Rabbit Book Cafe. The company bought the 2,000-square-foot building at the corner of Main and McLoughlin for $725,000 in October and is tentatively aiming for a February opening.
County property records cited by OregonLive show that Danielle and Rolland Walsh sold the building to Cognitive Surplus. The Oregon City shop will be the company’s fifth overall and third in Oregon. Founded in 2013 by Kristen and Geoff Zephyrus, Cognitive Surplus began as an online and wholesale supplier before expanding into physical retail.
Hilary Sueoka, who works in sustainability and outreach for Cognitive Surplus, told OregonLive that the company was drawn to Oregon City’s welcoming downtown and saw a place for itself among the area’s nerdy businesses. The retailer also reportedly liked the downtown’s award-winning character and saw an opportunity to become part of the community.
From Bookstore to Brand Expansion
The company’s storefronts are a relatively recent addition to its business. Cognitive Surplus opened its first shop in Redmond in 2024, then added a Portland location at 3508 S.E. Hawthorne St. this summer. It also operates stores in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island; Oregon City will bring its total to five.
The space Cognitive Surplus is taking over has deep roots in Oregon City's small-business scene. White Rabbit Book Cafe began as a small book and gift shop in the city in 2014 before moving to its Main Street location in 2017. Black Ink Coffee was housed inside White Rabbit for years, though the coffee business closed its operations there in 2026.
A Quiet Exit Without Many Details
White Rabbit announced its closure in October, but did not give a reason or a precise final day, according to a separate OregonLive report. The announcement said the shop’s October events would continue as planned. OregonLive’s reporting on the sale and planned reopening was authored by Samantha Swindler.
Another Oregon City bookseller, Laurie’s Books, also closed in recent years. The store, which began as Laurie’s Paperback Exchange in 1982, shut down in 2025 after 43 years. In a separate case, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Laurie’s owners said a rent increase forced them to relocate before the store closed. That account concerns a different business and does not explain White Rabbit’s closure.
Downtown’s changing business mix
Oregon City says 48 new businesses have located downtown since completion of its Main Street project. KPTV has described Main Street as featuring dozens of restaurants and boutiques, along with a wine bar and tattoo studio. These sources document business activity and the area’s mix of businesses, but do not provide a vacancy count or spell out adopted plan priorities for retail and historic storefronts.
For now, Oregon City shoppers will have to wait for the new storefront to take shape. Cognitive Surplus has not finalized its opening date beyond the tentative February target, but the building at 503 Main St. is set to keep its place in downtown Oregon City's retail rotation, just with a very different set of items on the shelves.
