Facing the end or coming back? The Last Bookstore.
I find it sad that so many brick and mortar bookstores have gone out of business over the last decade. I'm no Luddite - nothing wrong with Kindle or buying books online - but there's something about going into a bookstore to browse or buy that is a lifelong pleasure for me. With the demise of the chain bookstore which Barnes & Noble seems to have a monopoly on, I think that independent new and used bookstores have become more popular. Certainly that is the case with The Last Bookstore in downtown LA. It's a two-story building of 22,000 square feet that not only houses 250,000 new and used books, not only contains a great selection of vinyl records, but it also houses an artist collective on the second floor and the place is filled with amazing sculptures, paintings and other artwork.
The only other bookstore I've seen that I think is more impressive is Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon. If anyone else who loves bookstores has a recommendation, I'd love to know what others are worth checking out!
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For Powells. There is a really cool bookstore in Lincoln city Or, Roberts bookshop that I have to give props to as well. Viva kick ass bookstores.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords first opened its doors amid the Bicentennial celebrations of 1976. At the time of its opening it was the first bookstore/café in Washington DC. Over the years, through expansions, subpoenas, and innumerable neighborhood changes, much of our business has remained constant, notably our commitment to providing our patrons with access to the best books we can procure and to the most delicious, varied food we can produce.
In addition to possessing a lively, convivial atmosphere, and a full-service bar, Kramerbooks & Afterwords stages hundreds of book-related events each year, both in the store and elsewhere. From tourists to neighbors, college students to the political elite, there is something for everyone at Kramerbooks & Afterwords!
http://kramers.com/about
