Chevalier's Books — Local services in Los Angeles

The Decline of a Beloved Bookstore: Chevalier’s Transformation.

Chevalier’s Bookstore was once a gem in our Larchmont neighborhood—a true haven for book lovers. Located on the east side of the street, it occupied a spacious locale with inviting shelves brimming with treasures. There was a large reading area for children, an extensive Classics section, a well-stocked History corner, an impressive Travel rack, and more. It was a bookshop you could lose yourself in—exploring, reading, and discovering new stories to take home. But then came the renovation of that part of the street. Chevalier’s moved to a smaller space on the west side. Though condensed, it managed to retain some of its charm, still drawing me in as a regular visitor from the neighborhood. However, something changed—whether it was new management, ownership, or simply a shift in vision, I can’t say. My most recent visit, just two days ago, left me disheartened. The store I once cherished had become unrecognizable. The Classics section, which had once been a cornerstone of the shop, was gone entirely. The robust History section had been replaced by a scattershot selection of "Biographies" and similar titles. The Mystery shelves, once home to legends like Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georges Simenon, were stripped of their finest offerings. The once-expansive Travel section, after dwindling for a time, was now reduced to a mere three shelves. Even the Philosophy section, once thoughtfully curated, was now relegated to a few token shelves beside cookbooks and guides. In stark contrast, a sprawling rack of Young Adult books dominated the space—perhaps catering to the digital-age youth who seem less inclined toward printed pages.

The thoughtful organization and careful curation that once made it special have been replaced by a chaotic jumble of mediocrity. It’s a sad reflection of the times, and I can’t help but mourn the loss of the bookshop I...

True indie local bookstore serving the community and providing exemplary customer service with an excellent selection to peruse and take in. Welcoming atmosphere and staff that goes above and beyond to fulfill one’s book quest.

I stopped by the store approximately 1-2 weeks before the September 3, 2023 release date of “Time Without Keys” Ida Vitale distributed by New Directions. A pleasurable exchange and book conversation with Quinn and Emma who placed the order and upon my walk today stopped in to pleasantly find out it was there in a punctual manner. Their team work and friendly demeanor exceptional. I call him The Mighty Quinn as a reference to the song and the fact we both prefer the Manfred Mann cover! Good to have some lighthearted humor in the mix.

If you look at the photos closely there is one with the bag. Pay attention to the store stamp. Quinn stamps each bag one by one!!! This is how much heart and love goes into the endeavor. Support this store and share with others who love books and...

Nice relaxing book store with friendly staff. The store is mainly for young adults and children; the child's book nook is so cute and comfortable! I'd strongly recommend taking a daughter, son, niece, or nephew to have them in an environment that's fun surrounded by books. Likewise to many bookstores, the philosophy section isn't too huge and is mixed in with spirituality books. I think this is a great bookstore if you're an individual who's more politically left leaning. They have quite a bit of books that are from the standpoint of social justice. They are also a gift store of the sorts selling pins, cards, and the like. On top of it, the different stores surrounding the bookstore are great. There's a pizza shop next door as well as a coffee shop across the street that has alot of outlets and quite a bit of seating. So once you're done picking up a book, you can head on over caffeinate up and breeze through the book...