About Us
Welcome to Fehmerling Books
I’m Crystal, the founder of this Scappoose-based online bookstore. I created this space because I believe reading isn’t just a hobby—it’s a ritual. It’s the cup of tea steaming beside you, the quiet of the house, and the feeling of holding a story in your hands.
But this love for nourishment, beauty, and history didn’t start with me. It is a thread that runs back through generations of my family here in the Pacific Northwest. Fehmerling Books is the modern expression of a very old family tradition: Feeding people what they need.
The Roots of Nourishment
Anna (Buschke) Fehmerling — My Great-Great-Grandmother
Long before I was pairing books with artisan teas, Anna was feeding Oregon.
- She and her husband operated restaurants across the state—from Portland to Roseburg.
- The family kept a special seasonal rhythm with Ann’s Doughnuts in Long Beach, WA. Open just three days a week, it became a fixture of summer life on the coast.
The Lesson: You don't have to do everything, everywhere, all at once. You just have to offer something good, and show up with care.
The Roots of Beauty
Fern (Fehmerling) Hyle — My Great-Grandmother
Anna’s daughter took that hospitality and elevated it. A professional fashion model in Portland, Fern understood that "presentation" is a form of respect.
- She believed that life shouldn't just be functional; it should be beautiful.
- Whether wearing white gloves or simply pouring tea, the way you present things matters. It changes how people feel.
The Inspiration: This eye for detail drives how we hunt for vintage treasures for the shop today.
The Roots of Stewardship
Robert C. Hyle — My Great-Grandfather
Fern’s husband taught us that caring for a community means protecting its essentials.
- As Manager of the Portland Water Bureau, he spent his life stewarding the Bull Run Watershed. He wrote legislation that is still in place today, protecting the water supply Portland continues to benefit from.
- He grew up working at his father’s shop, Roy's Tires, learning that essential work is done with your own two hands.
The Value: This respect for natural resources is why we focus on used books—keeping stories in circulation and reducing waste.
The Roots of Curation
Sally (Hyle) Kimpton — My Grandmother
Educated at Stephens College, Sally bridged the gap between the skies (aviation) and the screen (becoming a programmer at IBM).
- In an era when computing was valued for patience and logic, she applied that precision to our family history.
- She was our archivist, preserving the letters and photos that allow me to share this story with you today.
The Standard: We carry forward Sally's care in packaging every order with precision.
Our Chapter Today
I run Fehmerling Books from Scappoose, Oregon—sitting right on the county line between the city history of the Hyles and the country roots of the Fehmerlings.
When you order from us, you aren't just buying a book. You are trusting us to be your curators.
- We extend Anna’s hospitality (making you feel welcome).
- We share Fern’s eye for beauty (finding vintage treasures).
- We uphold Robert’s stewardship (giving books a second life through sustainability).
- We apply Sally’s care (packaging every order with precision).
So, brew a cup of tea. Settle in.
Let us help you find your next great story.