It is no small feat for an independent bookstore to stay in business during the times when even giant chains have caved in. It is a downright marvel when a brand-new bookstore emerges and proceeds to forge upstream against the general trend of brick-and-mortar decline. One such miracle occurred in the midst of the Downtown Arts District in 2011 when The Last Bookstore opened its doors, dazzling eager bibliophiles and inquisitive passers-by with its spacious, beautifully laid-out interior packed full of new and used editions of every genre. With its affordable prices, friendly staff and a massive, continuously changing collection, the bookstore quickly claimed for itself a permanent place among the most popular destination of Downtown LA.
Located in the downtown Long Beach Harbor, Shoreline Village shopping center features some great shops and restaurants. From here you can also take boat tours of the Long Beach and Los Angeles harbors. Restaurants include The Yard House, Tequila Jack's, Tugboat Pete's and Parkers' Lighthouse. At sunset, an excursion along the Long Beach Harbor Marina is perfect and at night, both The Yard House and Tequila Jack's are hopping bars that serve several beers and tequilas.
Some of the funkiest folks in town do all of their gift and holiday shopping at Wacko, also known as Soap Plant. One of the most notorious and eclectic shops in Los Angeles, it's a sure bet that you'll find things that you never knew existed. From Sumo wrestler lunch boxes to patchouli soaps and kiss "Psycho Circus" dolls, expect the unexpected. It's the perfect place if you want to take home a little bit of Hollywood hipster heaven.
The oldest open air market in the city, the Grand Central Market is located in the bustling downtown area of Los Angeles. This has been a one stop shopping destination for everyday wants since 1917. From fresh produce to fresh meats, perfumes to liquor and jewelry to grains, you will find all you need. This huge market even has several restaurants on-site and is known as a foodie's paradise. Come and experience the flavors and sights of this market; a favorite with locals!
Overlooking South Western Avenue in Los Angeles, Koreatown Plaza is a family-friendly shopping mall. Spread across three floors, this shopping center is home to several Asian stores, boutiques and eateries. Opened in the year 1988, customers can find a variety of products here under one roof. It includes items like groceries, clothing, footwear, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, books and a lot more.
Que vous soyez à Pasadena pour la fête du jour de l'an, appelée Rose Bowl, ou pour le Jet Propulsion Lab ou le Cal Tech, n'oubliez pas de faire un tour dans le plus grand centre commercial de la ville, sur Colorado Avenue. Nommé « Old Town » , il propose des bars, des restaurants, des librairies, des magasins de mode, des discothèques et des cinémas. Les paiements par carte de crédit son acceptés dans la plupart des établissements.
Timothy Jay Inc sells aromatic candles to liven up your home and your life. Timothy Sullivan and Jay Castellano began making candles in Tim's kitchen in 1996, and after much success selling their creations to Los Angeles stores, they opened their own shop. They specialize in creating candles filled with lots of rich perfume oil in scents of pine, orange, lilac, gardenia, roses and more. Many scents are fused together to create original scents that are unlike any other scented candles in the world.
This fine shop specializes in both traditional and modern invitations that will impress your invitees with their elegance and understated simplicity. Most of the invitations are created on handmade paper. Brenda Himmel Stationery store also carries stationery from names like William Arthur and Crane for business and personal purposes, picture frames, photo albums and a small selection of books.
A popular chain of boutiques from Down Under, this branch in West Hollywood is famous for creating some unique fashion masterpieces as well. This place aims to mix contemporary urban style with girly glamor. It also offers the latest in beach wear; bold designs created by fashion gurus, such as Zimmerman, Leona Edmiston and Sunjoo Moon are available too. The clientèle includes the fashion divas of Hollywood, such as Tori Spelling, Nicky Hilton, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Marley Shelton. Just walk in and walk out with something unique that will not only make heads turn but make you feel like a million bucks.
Located on a busy intersection in Venice, the Lone Wolfs Objets d’Surf is a quaint, little surf shop with not only surfboards on offer, but also fins, wetsuits and other surfing gear including Octopus Traction Pads and Octopus Comp Leash. The laid-back owners, the customer -friendly return policies and the modestly-priced items take away the need to look any further than Lone Wolfs if you want to buy a surfboard or other accoutrements. They also have a collection of books, postcards, clothes, hats and bags along with a recording studio in the back of the store.
Atara's Hebrew Book and Gift Center is a small but very eclectic bookstore on Fairfax. It offers a diverse collection of literary titles all in the Hebrew language. The store also features Israeli novelties, jewelry and decorations. Be forewarned, however, that if the store is crowded, walking around can be a bit of a challenge. Just chalk it up under atmosphere. Plus with a location in the center of the Fairfax district, it is a great stop while experiencing the culture.
A few minutes south of downtown Los Angeles stands this small and unique bookstore. The stock features all Spanish language books with a religious focus. In addition to the many hardcovers and paperbacks, the store also offers a wide variety of articles, pamphlets and even some old manuscripts. Although prices vary, the bulk of the selection easily fits into any budget. Call for open hours.