That’s when owner Josh Spencer took his decade of experience selling everything from cars to clothes online and focused instead on his first love: books. During the revitalization of downtown LA, we grew quickly to our current 22,000 sq. ft. space in the Spring Arts Tower at 5th & Spring.
The name was chosen with irony, but seems more appropriate with each passing day as physical bookstores die out like dinosaurs from the meteoric impact of Amazon and e-books. We continue to BUY, SELL, and TRADE like we have from day one. In addition to over 250,000 NEW and USED books on two floors, including our new Arts & Rare Book Annex, our shared space includes tens of thousands of VINYL RECORDS and GRAPHIC NOVELS, a huge mezzanine level that includes the Labyrinth Above the Last Bookstore, Gather Yarn Shop, and the Spring Arts Collective gallery shops. Truly something for everyone.
Somehow we became one of the largest independent bookstores in the world still standing. We continue to be amazed at how we got here. It’s ALL thanks to people like you who want to keep actual books and records existing in the world. Join the cause — visit us soon!
Award-winning 11 minute documentary by director Chad Howitt on owner Josh Spencer.
Welcome to The Last Bookstore from Chad Howitt on Vimeo.
KCRW‘s Saul Gonzalez visits us and interviews the Last Bookstore owner who created a massive retail space that’s a mix of Victorian drawing room, sci-fi spectacle and artist loft bohemianism. It’s all part of the mission to keep the paper and ink book business alive in an era of e-readers and digital downloads.
“20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World” – Flavorwire
“Best Bookstore in Downtown LA” by LA Weekly and The Downtown News
The Last Bookstore is glorious, Borgesian, mad in the best possible way. Ask your publisher to get you a signing there. Absolute must. —William Gibson, author of Neuromancer
If you’re looking for a vintage record or rare book that you can’t find anywhere else, or if you’re interested in discovering a cool spot to hang out at during the week, The Last Bookstore may be just the place for you.- KROQ
With an adaptable audience area of 6000 sq. ft., we offer a full-service venue for any variety of event — literary, musical, theatrical, etc. We book events by nationally known names that have natural draws of 50-500 people. We schedule events at least 2 months in advance. Submit your proposal below! Please note that due to volume we cannot respond to all submissions, calls, or emails.
If your submission is for a reading or book launch, please include the ISBN for the book(s).
For filming, weddings, and other rentals, please email here.
453 S Spring St – Ground Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours of operation:
Sun-Thur 10a-10p
Fri-Sat 10a-11p
We are only closed on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and New Year’s Day each year. We close early at 6pm the evening before each of those holidays.
PLEASE NOTE that before entering our store we ask you to check with security any bag larger than an 8×11″ sheet of paper, due to problems with shop-lifting.
Our address is 453 S Spring St, but the entrance is on 5th St. (the Spring St Center entrance is only for people loading in books to sell).
We are on the corner of Spring and 5th, which are both one-way streets. Spring St. runs south, 5th St. runs west.
From the 110 N or S, get off at 4th St. Turn right on Spring and we are on the next corner.
From the 101 N, get off at Los Angeles St. Turn right on 3rd, then left on Spring.
From the 101 S, get off at Broadway. Turn left on 4th St. Turn right on Spring.
There is metered street parking on both sides of Spring and 5th streets. Many streets have no parking during afternoon/evening rush hour. To avoid towing, please check signs. Street parking is free after 6pm or 7pm (depending on street) and on Sundays.
Pay parking lots can be found at the corner of 4th & Spring or on the right side of Spring just before and after 5th St and our store. They cost $6-15 depending on the day and time. We don’t validate, sorry!
There is a Metro Red/Purple Line stop 2 blocks from us: the Pershing Square station. Exit the station on the Pershing Square side, and walk 2 blocks east on 5th St. (cross Broadway) to the corner of 5th & Spring. We’re located on the northwest corner (across from the Alexandria Hotel & Buzz, respectively).
Latest News
OCT New Book Bestsellers
November 1, 2018OCT New Book Bestsellers
November 1, 2018@lastbookstorela
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