The Last Bookstore, located in Downtown Los Angeles, has become an incredibly popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Its unique layout and contents have created a place which anyone can enjoy. The immense popularity of the bookstore has been brought about by the fact that it holds something for everyone.
Visitors of the Last Bookstore are able to experience many different books and art pieces in one place. The store curates books from all different genres and even has a section on rare and vintage collectibles. Everything from foreign languages to popular fiction titles can be found here. One way that the bookstore is able to have such a wide array of books is their station for donating and selling used books.
Although the place may somewhat feel like a museum, every book inside the store can be bought. The first floor looks like a traditional bookstore, with normal bookshelves and books sorted neatly by author and genre. The upstairs, however, looks very much like something out of a fairytale. Book shelves on the second floor are artfully arranged to inspire curiosity and excitement to find a new book. This is encouraged even more by the fact that the books are not arranged in the traditional alphabetical order. Some areas are sorted by color, while others are done completely at random. Books are displayed like they are flying and others are constructed into an overhead arch. Due to the unique layout of the store, it would be quite hard to find a specific book. Because of this, when visiting the bookstore, it is best to come in without a specific book in mind.
Not only does the Last Bookstore sell and display books, they also feature an art gallery and many different souvenir shops. These shops sell everything from yarn and pencils, to vintage guitars. The bookstore has many popular culture references throughout, in their displayed artwork. Small artists are able to sell their artwork through the bookstore and promote their businesses.
As the amount of bookstores and bookstore attendees are starting to dwindle, the Last Bookstore is an important asset in keeping the excitement alive. All the combined aspects of this bookstore makes it a welcoming environment to visit with friends, to discover a new book, or maybe even just stop by and visit for a second if you’re in the area.
Claudia Shin, 8th Grade
Lawrence Middle School
