The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles


Look how pretty the streets of Los Angeles are!

I love the lights. Los Angeles is such an artistic city, there's art every where you look. I really had no idea...although seeing as it's such a huge city full of artists in film, music, and who knows what else, I really should have expected it.

So here's a question. What are some things you always do when travelling?

One of the things I always love to do when I'm travelling is to poke my head into local bookstores. The smell of books, whether new or old, always has a way of making me feel at home. And I don't think there's ever been a bookstore that I didn't like. But I have to say I was pretty excited to step into this particular independent bookstore in downtown LA.

The Last Bookstore is an amazing treasure house filled with a mind-blowing wide-range of books, eclectic vinyl records, and book related art around every corner.

The building itself, which was built in 1914 (in just 10 months!), was originally occupied by Citizens National Bank. In the early 1910s this location was in the heart of the financial district, which was referred to as the "Wall Street of the West." Today this neighborhood is known as the Historic Core and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I was really interested in learning about how this building evolved over time, and I could go on, but I'll spare you!

It's a really massive building though and The Last Bookstore occupies the ground floor and the mezzanine level, which is like a maze. There are books everywhere. I know, it's a bookstore. But it's not only on the shelves. It's used as an art form on the walls, ceilings, and anywhere else you can imagine. I was so enthralled with this place.

You can pretty much forget about just stepping in here for a second to grab a book. Their choices are so deep and wide that it will take forever for you to choose (this was me). Or you'll just end up walking out with a handful of books (this was my friend R). 

But isn't that how every bookstore should be? x


Here are some pictures:









453 S. Spring St., Ground Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013

213-488-0599

Mon-Thu: 10:00am-10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 10:00am-11:00pm
Sun: 10:00am-6:00pm 

*Occasionally they are closed early for a wedding (!!!)
or a gorgeous pop-up dinner like this. Love love love.

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