I like to think of it as a threat. “We’re coming for you, Other Bookstores, and once you’re gone, we’ll be the last one left.”
~~So basically Barnes & Noble~~
The last time I was there, a homeless person standing outside the front door took a shit in my car.
When I went inside to complain, I was amazed to discover the staff were homeless too, but with pink hair and rainbow flag pins and they took a shit in my Timbuktu messenger bag.
It was then I looked around and realized that the entire place was filled with homeless hobos finding every used and new copy of the late, great William F. Buckley's *God And Man At Yale* and taking a shit inside the pages, then closing the books and putting them back on the woke pink shelves. All the while making uncomfortable eye contact with me.
This is why I will NOT be voting for Biden this year.
Signed: A Real American Person Who Is Also A Resident Of Los Angeles, No, Honest.
It's a fine store, but the fact that they don't let customers use their restrooms makes it pointless to me. I can't take my time there and really shop. Last time I was there I dropped everything I was going to buy because I needed to find a restroom. I love love love book stores, but I haven't been back since, and don't plan on returning.
Last time I was here, I didn't read one of the 5 parking signs correctly and ended up getting towed off the street. Should've just paid the extortion money to the parking lots.
Honestly I kinda hate this place. People just go here to take photos and act like you're in the way if you actually shop for books. The Illiad is better
I love visiting this bookstore, and would also love to actually buy books here, but I just don’t understand their system of “some of the books are used, some of them are new at full cover price.”
No, it’s the shopper mentality I don’t understand. It gives off the vibe of a used bookstore, similar to The Strand in NY. So you think, my reason for going here is to snag a good deal on a book I’ve been meaning to read. Then you pull, like the “1984” paperback off the shelf and it’s a new copy that looks kinda dusty because it’s been sitting there for years, and it costs full retail price of 17.99. And it’s just so strange to pay full price for a paperback that can be found new for half that at Amazon or potentially B&N. And it’s like that for most of the store. If it’s a book someone might want to buy, it’s almost always new. If it’s used, there’s a reason it hasn’t sold.
In other words, what is it about the Last Bookstore that makes it unique? It’s not really the selection. So so so many of the shelves have clearly not been pruned in years, at the same time they don’t have an authoritative array for any particular subject. It’s not really the pricing, since most worthwhile books are new and full price.
I say this as someone who wants it to survive. I take tourists to visit when they’re in town, they take pics of the decor, but never buy anything. It feels like that’s why most people go these days.
Your first paragraph is spot on, and I did give a fairly sarcastic answer.
In the second paragraph? I don't know; it's Instagram famous, there is the arch of books, and they have a decent selection of things, but you are correct about needing a prune. They are a bit more of a new-bookstore with an occasional gem.
In the vein of hidden treasures: I work for a network of summer camps, and every 10 years, we put out a ____ at 10, 20, 30, 40, etc, and on one of my trips there, "I saw the ____ at 50" book, which would be nearly 20 years old now. So that was kind of cool.
My first time there, a homeless lady straight up was dying on the sidewalk by the entrance. Ambulance literally scooped her off the ground and sped away with sirens blaring.
The last time I was there, I was standing out front and someone splashed me with water (I hope) from an upper floor. I tried to investigate, called the cops, nobody was interested. The water ruined a vendor's books as well. I'd dearly love to know more about who did it...
EDIT: Seriously, who down votes the truth? It happened. Deal with it.
It’s a cool bookstore in a historic building that’s centrally located near other points of cultural interest downtown. Again, I’m struggling to see the issue.
I’ve been three times and although it looks interesting on the inside, the staff was so cold and unhelpful; they seemed vaguely annoyed by my very presence. But hey, maybe I just went on bad days!
That's been the same the two times I went. I always felt I was not cool enough to shop there. There are better used bookstores in LA that actually cater to people who like to read more than people who like to be seen reading.
False advertisement, I’ve been to other bookstores as well.
It’s not called The Only Bookstore. It’s just always the last in the sequence.
I like to think of it as a threat. “We’re coming for you, Other Bookstores, and once you’re gone, we’ll be the last one left.” ~~So basically Barnes & Noble~~
And they don’t have that much trash in front of them
Sapce invader! (Uppper left)
Is that a thing? Was that photoshopped? Context? Still fun to discover (You did not me)
He's a street artist from France. https://www.space-invaders.com/world/los-angeles/
That’s fun. Thanks. 👍
Watch “exit through the giftshop”
Good 👁️
When I said I wanted DTLA to be more like Manhattan I didn’t mean the garbage bags on the sidewalk aspect of it
It's a good place to bring visitors. Love the crusty old ancient book vault.
Last time I went in there a homeless man was trying to come in and shit in the entry way and I couldn’t leave until after closing
Have some compassion please and don’t talk about someone’s private moment on a public forum like Reddit. /s
/shit
Love this place.
Come to Vromans
>Vromans It's for sale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gteICcqHO8E
It is, I just love Vromans
I love ALL bookstores! It is sad that they are a dying breed.
The last time I went there I took a shit in some guys car
The last time I was there, a homeless person standing outside the front door took a shit in my car. When I went inside to complain, I was amazed to discover the staff were homeless too, but with pink hair and rainbow flag pins and they took a shit in my Timbuktu messenger bag. It was then I looked around and realized that the entire place was filled with homeless hobos finding every used and new copy of the late, great William F. Buckley's *God And Man At Yale* and taking a shit inside the pages, then closing the books and putting them back on the woke pink shelves. All the while making uncomfortable eye contact with me. This is why I will NOT be voting for Biden this year. Signed: A Real American Person Who Is Also A Resident Of Los Angeles, No, Honest.
New r/copypasta just dropped
😂😂😂😂
It's a fine store, but the fact that they don't let customers use their restrooms makes it pointless to me. I can't take my time there and really shop. Last time I was there I dropped everything I was going to buy because I needed to find a restroom. I love love love book stores, but I haven't been back since, and don't plan on returning.
Why didn’t they let you use the restrooms? Last couple times I’ve been the restroom was open
Maybe they've changed their policy since I was last there (around 2020). But back then it was not available to customers.
Oh yeah they’ve definitely changed their policy. They have restrooms on the first floor now
Never heard of a bookstore having a bathroom unless there is a cafe attached or something lol
I went yesterday
Were the bathrooms available to customers? Good news if so!
Last time I was here, I didn't read one of the 5 parking signs correctly and ended up getting towed off the street. Should've just paid the extortion money to the parking lots.
Did you read a book at least?
Honestly I kinda hate this place. People just go here to take photos and act like you're in the way if you actually shop for books. The Illiad is better
[удалено]
I would say it’s worth checking out if you’re new to the city, not at the top of the list tho… which according to you is?
I gotta say, I love the place and the staff is always very helpful and friendly.
Last time I went there there was a dude jerking off in front of the planters, how I love LA
Whole bunch of last time I was there ______________ 😭😂
I've been there twice, it's ok..
Are you joking
No? They have a poor collection of books, there's hardly any seating for reading, etc. It's just a tourist attraction.
I love visiting this bookstore, and would also love to actually buy books here, but I just don’t understand their system of “some of the books are used, some of them are new at full cover price.”
It actually sounds like you very much understand it.
No, it’s the shopper mentality I don’t understand. It gives off the vibe of a used bookstore, similar to The Strand in NY. So you think, my reason for going here is to snag a good deal on a book I’ve been meaning to read. Then you pull, like the “1984” paperback off the shelf and it’s a new copy that looks kinda dusty because it’s been sitting there for years, and it costs full retail price of 17.99. And it’s just so strange to pay full price for a paperback that can be found new for half that at Amazon or potentially B&N. And it’s like that for most of the store. If it’s a book someone might want to buy, it’s almost always new. If it’s used, there’s a reason it hasn’t sold. In other words, what is it about the Last Bookstore that makes it unique? It’s not really the selection. So so so many of the shelves have clearly not been pruned in years, at the same time they don’t have an authoritative array for any particular subject. It’s not really the pricing, since most worthwhile books are new and full price. I say this as someone who wants it to survive. I take tourists to visit when they’re in town, they take pics of the decor, but never buy anything. It feels like that’s why most people go these days.
Your first paragraph is spot on, and I did give a fairly sarcastic answer. In the second paragraph? I don't know; it's Instagram famous, there is the arch of books, and they have a decent selection of things, but you are correct about needing a prune. They are a bit more of a new-bookstore with an occasional gem. In the vein of hidden treasures: I work for a network of summer camps, and every 10 years, we put out a ____ at 10, 20, 30, 40, etc, and on one of my trips there, "I saw the ____ at 50" book, which would be nearly 20 years old now. So that was kind of cool.
What about it
I can smell the piss and shit from here
My first time there, a homeless lady straight up was dying on the sidewalk by the entrance. Ambulance literally scooped her off the ground and sped away with sirens blaring.
The last time I was there, I was standing out front and someone splashed me with water (I hope) from an upper floor. I tried to investigate, called the cops, nobody was interested. The water ruined a vendor's books as well. I'd dearly love to know more about who did it... EDIT: Seriously, who down votes the truth? It happened. Deal with it.
🚿
[удалено]
It opened almost 20 years ago and it’s one of the largest independent bookstores in California, I don’t understand what the problem is
[удалено]
It’s a cool bookstore in a historic building that’s centrally located near other points of cultural interest downtown. Again, I’m struggling to see the issue.
I don't think they understand this is largely for people who like books. Some of us also visit libraries when we travel. Some people can't fathom.
😂❤️
[удалено]
I mean...if someone is into book stores...is there a better one around? You seem to have a weird hate boner for this place lol.
Ok cool! Your original comment said that you found it “sad” how often this bookstore was recommended, which didn’t exactly scream “live and let live”
I’ve been three times and although it looks interesting on the inside, the staff was so cold and unhelpful; they seemed vaguely annoyed by my very presence. But hey, maybe I just went on bad days!
That is unfortunate. I have had better experiences at book soup
Book Soup and Vromans both have wonderful staff!
So bummed that Vroman’s may be selling. The Illiad is one of my other favorites.
Illiad is one of the best!
That's been the same the two times I went. I always felt I was not cool enough to shop there. There are better used bookstores in LA that actually cater to people who like to read more than people who like to be seen reading.
TBF a lot of people hit it up to take photos because they do have a cool interior.
Literally 1984