Cognitive Surplus, an Oregon-based retailer of math- and science-themed stationery, apparel and home goods, is opening a store at 503 Main St. in downtown Oregon City. The company has a tentative timeline of opening in February 2027.
The shop will take over the corner building on Main Street and McLoughlin Boulevard that was home to White Rabbit Book Cafe, which closed after its final day on Sunday, Nov. 1. It will be Cognitive Surplus’s fifth location and its third in Oregon.
The company was founded in 2013 by Kristen and Geoff Zephyrus. It began as an online and wholesale supplier and opened its first retail store in Redmond, Oregon, in 2024. This summer it opened a Portland store at 3508 S.E. Hawthorne St., and it also has shops in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.
Cognitive Surplus chose Oregon City after being drawn to its award-winning downtown. The team liked how friendly people were, loved the atmosphere and wanted to be part of the community. They also saw that the street already had a number of quirky, nerdy shops, and thought the store would add to it.
They sell goods organized by science discipline, such as astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics. Shoppers can find notebooks, greeting cards, pens, stickers and washi tape, along with graphic tees, hoodies, scarves and tote bags, and home goods such as mugs, candles, art prints and pillow covers. Its stationery and gifts also include items for pets, such as collars and bandanas.
The building has a long history as a local gathering place. White Rabbit began in 2014 as White Rabbit Books & Gifts on 7th Street, and moved to its Main Street corner a few years later, adding a cafe. It was known for a time as Black Ink, and was renamed White Rabbit Book Cafe last year. In its final days, the shop held a liquidation sale, with deals on books, other items and furniture.
The Cognitive Surplus plans were reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
