The Last Bookstore — Attraction in Los Angeles

The Last Bookstore in DTLA is a haven for bibliophiles, offering an enchanting ambiance that initially presents a gothic charm but reveals a treasure trove of creative book displays. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a majestic two-story ceiling and marble pillars, remnants of its former life as a bank. The store's unique features include a whimsical book tunnel, sculptures made from books, and even an old bank vault repurposed for book storage.

I dare say the bookstore is a marvel of visual merchandising, with books arranged in artistic displays, such as a color-coded hardback section and a "flying books" installation that reminds me of the magical world of Harry Potter. This enchanting display, crafted by artist David Lovejoy, adds a touch of fantasy to the store, making it feel like stepping into a scene from Hogwarts, if you will.

The sheer variety of genres and the multitude of rare and classic books make it a paradise for readers seeking hard-to-find titles. Prices are reasonable, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to expand their library.

What truly sets the bookstore apart from other used bookstores is its cleanliness and well-maintained environment. Unlike many used bookstores where dust can be overwhelming, this store is remarkably well-kept, ensuring a comfortable browsing experience even for those with dust allergies. I've had the unfortunate experience of allergic reactions in other used bookstores, but The Last Bookstore is a breath of fresh air.

The clientele adds to the store's charm, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home among fellow book lovers. My only regret was not having enough time to explore fully, as I'm certain I would have left with many more books. For a used bookstore, this bookstore is truly second to none. Its blend of books and stunning architectural redo makes it a place where one could easily spend an entire day immersed in literature and art.

During my visit, I was impressed by the helpfulness of the cashier at the main register. They were very welcoming and assisted me with finding titles by using ISBNs and author names, showcasing a genuine interest in helping customers. Additionally, there's a help desk near the stairs to the second floor, which is convenient for those needing assistance navigating the vast collection.

However, my experience at another help desk near the stairs to the second floor was somewhat mixed. While the cashier was excellent, my interaction with a younger staff member at the help desk was less satisfactory. They seemed impatient with my inquiries about specific books and, after dismissing my requests, openly expressed their dissatisfaction with their workday and the store's environment to a colleague nearby. It was clear that not all staff share the same passion for books, book restoration, or customer service, which slightly detracted from the overall experience.

Despite this, the bookstore's charm and offerings far outweighed any minor setbacks. The small café on the second floor adds a delightful touch to the rustic feel of the shopping experience, providing a cozy spot to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing through your finds. For those looking for a memento, the bookstore also offers its own merchandise, including patches, shopping totes, and shirts, which make great souvenirs for book lovers.

The store also stocks recent best sellers and staff-recommended titles, ensuring there's something for every reader. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, fiction, or non-fiction, The Last Bookstore has a plethora of...

I'm in L.A. for work often and have wanted to visit this place. Gave it two stars cuz the bathroom situation was extra weird and thoughtless...

When I walked in to the women's restroom, all three stalls were occupied. Which is fine.

Then a customer came in and handed one woman a roll of toilet paper under the stall asking if she was ok. She has a second roll she put on the sink and left.

Then a mom came in and called for her daughter cuz the kid had been in the bathroom a really long time. Daughter was super distressed and said she had no TP and didn't know what to do. It sounded like she was crying. I handed the mom the extra roll.

Then the 3rd stall opened up after a very long while and there was no TP in that one. Poor lady.

So I get the second role of TP after the daughter leaves so I can use the bathroom.

The bin for feminine products was overflowing and that was disgusting.

I go to the desk and tell the lady at the counter the bathroom needs more TP. She directs me to a big box and says I could do it.

I don't mind helping out, but I'm taken aback that the staff won't help out when it's their job to do so meaning they're totally cool leaving women stranded in the bathroom. Including the young girl who was probably sitting there on the toilet stressing out a ton crying till her mom came in to check on her. What young girl feels comfortable crying out to strangers in a public bathroom in DTLA???

I think of that poor girl, so I grab six roles to take to the bathroom. I can't figure out how to install them in the TP dispensers so I just leave them on top of them. Not great cuz they'll end up on the floor. Who wants to use TP off of a public bathroom floor?! Unsanitary.

There's some cool things about this place, but I'm not in favor of supporting a place with that kind of disregard for human decency and won't be back. There's tons of other cool used bookstore in LA.

Also, if you decide to go, don't go after work at 6 or 7 if you want to stay till 8 like I did. They start closing down parts of the store around 7:30.

Almost no books in Spanish.

Really cool features like art made out of old books and awesome bookshelves upstairs. But, very grungy which I get is a whole aesthetic, but it leaves you feeling... grungy and grimy.

Expensive parking. Better to go on public transit if you're gonna go.

Owner responded saying it wasn't their responsibility. I ran my own business for 20 years. I got news for you: Your business? Sanitation in the building you're leasing? Your responsibility. Even when it's not your fault, your role is to be the leader and right the situation. You don't get to shrug it off using the excuse that it's ok cuz we don't live in a third world country and then pat yourself on the back for doing less than the bare minimum in the first...

I was very much looking forward to my trip to downtown LA from the Coachella Valley specifically to browse at The Last Bookstore. I was disappointed in this expedition. I guess my expectations were unrealistic; picturing myself browsing dusty shelves for literary treasure. Instead I encountered a surprise (to me) horde of foreign tourists racing through the aisles to take pics at the book tunnel. They gathered in large groups on the main floor talking and laughing loudly and generally appeared to be totally disinterested in the books. The parental tourists allowed the children to run around screaming and playing as if on the play yard. (Ironically, the children’s books area was deserted). Trying to make the best of this adventure, I squinted to read the titles in the sci fi section and in most of the upper floors because the lighting was super dim. I thought, why does a bookstore have such poor lighting? Another irony? The $1 wall was en exercise in futility with titles so obscure, outdated and uninteresting most weren’t worth even the dollar. The one hardcover I discovered on the $1 wall, a hardcover sci fi anthology, was without a $1 price tag and the surly cashier insisted on the $5.00 sticker price even after I explained where I found the book. The first floor inventory was uninteresting except for the recently issued edition of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” that I picked up for retail; pleased it had larger print. The Annex of “rare” books wasn’t so impressive as it was full of market retail and a few titles behind glass. The Annex did offer a large selection of vintage pulp and other paperbacks which was interesting yet overpriced. Not sure if the cafe was open or not…I followed the signs but there wasn’t a human to be found there. The great highlight of my expedition was visiting the artist shops and meeting the very charming curator/creator of some wonderfully odd art and crystals and jewelry. They took the time to chat with me a bit and helped my find a few items in the shop I adored. The Last Bookshop merch was crazy expensive so I passed on that. I left with three used and one new paperback for $40. In Addition to the $12 parking (which I expected and was pleasantly surprised wasn't $20). The highlight of the little road trip was dinner at “Gumbo Boys” a literal hole-in-the-wall around the corner…Yum. And, of course, a six hour stop at Wi Spa to soak, steam and sweat; well worth the $30. Now I’ll be searching used bookstores closer to home In Riverside...