The Last Bookstore

I try to be appear to be a cool Mom and I feel especially flattered when my girls take interest in something I love. Imagine my pride when I found out that like me they love to read! While they appreciate our local library they are interested in collecting their own books. 

Books? Now what?

I wasn't surprised when the Barnes and Noble near me closed. It was just a glorified Starbucks and didn't really have a lot of content. The prices were sky high and although it was big, it was empty.

I have spent a lot of time in my life in bookstores and as an avid music collector was crushed when the Licorice Pizza Record Store near me shut its doors. To add insult to injury as much as I hated Blockbuster, it was something but it too has gone way of the Sony Walkman, that's why when I walked through the doors of The Last Bookstore I was taken aback by its breathtaking elegance and old school flavor. A REAL BOOKSTORE! Located in downtown LA at the corners of Spring and Fifth Street you will find this not very well known gem in the heart of the city.

 I could kick myself for leaving my good camera behind, this is the Los Angeles that is lovely and old world, untouched by stucco....

 Its not like a cheesy dusty bookstore, more of an art house with cool things for sale that you actually want! Soaring cathedral ceilings and enough eclectic architecture and artistic installations to feel cool and edgy, yet organized. The almost three story high columns on the main floor are elegant, but the lighting gives a warm and cozy feel. They sell books, lots of books of all kinds and even encourage you to sell yours there too. The piece de resistance is the record collection, yes! they sell records, 33's, 45's, CDs and even reel to reel!

If you take a ride on the tiny elevator upstairs you will be greeted by an area called The Labyrinth where you can buy books for $1.00 on one side and what appears to be art in mini kiosks from local artists on the other side.    

 the main floor, sells books, records and has a stage in the middle of the floor, it appears that in order to stay alive in a digital world they host bands and events like poetry readings. Cool!

 Album cover art... aw man!

 The books upstairs in The Labyrinth sell for $1, but don't expect it to be traditional organization, they are filed by spine color.

 Takes you into another room filled with even more books for sale. All $1.

I have been to many bookstores but cant say that I

enjoyed it as much as my girls enjoyed The Last Bookstore!

 Please visit this lovely and dare I say romantic little diamond in the heart of gentrified Los Angeles with your loved ones as soon as you can, you will not be disappointed and it will be a good time for all. If you have kids its a great way to "prove" that you had a life before them and its a magnificent place to share an afternoon with collectors. Books for $1, cant beat that!

Did I mention its FREE!?