Circa’s Favorite DTLA Bookstores

Summer days are made for lazy lounging, perfect for cracking open a good book. There’s nothing like the latest bestseller, an addictive mystery novel, or a literary classic to while away a relaxing afternoon. Our city is a bibliophile’s paradise, from local treasures like The Last Bookstore to collectible destinations, museum bookstores, and interesting specialty shops, many just a short distance from Circa. Patronizing a bookstore is also a great way to support local businesses and connect with other book lovers. So untether your digital devices, find a nook, grab a book, and let your imagination soar!

The Last Bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Last Bookstore 453 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Not really the last bookstore – thank goodness – but the largest new and used bookstore in California. Plus, The Last Bookstore is the only one encompassing 22,000 square feet, with a record store, comic book store, five art studios, a famous book tunnel, a mammoth head, and unexpected nooks of funkiness. Also, they are housed in a one hundred year old bank building, complete with vaults and ghosts. Oh, and they also have tons of books.

Hennessey + Ingalls bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Hennessey + Ingalls 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. Suite M, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Since its founding in 1963, Hennessey + Ingalls has grown to become the largest art, architecture and design bookstore in the Western United States. In 2016, the store moved to its current location in DTLA’s booming Arts District. A landmark in the visual arts community, Hennessey + Ingalls counts many of the country’s leading architectural firms as clients, along with museums, collectors, art galleries, students, interior designers, graphic design firms, and schools. Even if you’re not an industry professional, it’s fun to browse the store’s in-depth selection of books, including art, architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, landscaping, and more.

Artbook @ Hauser & Wirth LA bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Artbook @Hauser & Wirth LA 917 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Artbook @Hauser & Wirth is an arts and culture bookstore located inside the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery in the DTLA Arts District. The bookstore offers a wide range of topics including art, photography, architecture & design, film, music, fashion and more. Hauser & Wirth opened its Los Angeles location in 2016 in a former flour mill. In addition to supporting and collaborating with many local and international cultural organizations, nonprofits, and universities, the Los Angeles gallery fosters public dialogue with the arts through a range of activities that engage the city’s diverse population.

The Library Store bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Library Store 630 W 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Library Store is operated by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth in Los Angeles. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library and promotes greater awareness of its valuable resources. Shop the carefully curated collection of books, tees, totes, stationery and much more. All sales benefit the Los Angeles Public Library.

Now Serving bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Now Serving Far East Plaza 727 N. Broadway, Unit 133, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded by Ken Concepcion, former chef de cuisine at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, and his wife Michelle Mungcal, Now Serving carries a melange of new and used cookbooks, including out of print editions. The cookbooks are organized in geographical departments such as the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe, and categories like pastries and baking, beverages, general food writing, and reference books. Now Serving also offers gourmet kitchen tools like Japanese knives, new and vintage cast iron pans, and chef’s apparel. Check their schedule for in-store author events and book signings.


These Days bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

These Days 118 Winston St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Owned and operated by longtime DTLA residents Stephen and Jodi Zeigler, These Days is a gallery, store, and publisher located in downtown Los Angeles. Since its first exhibition in 2014, the gallery has exhibited a diverse range of work including abstract paintings by photographer Nick Waplington, photography by Gusmano Cesaretti, Lookout & Wonderland’s collaborative fiber art project, and Ian Reid’s photographs of New York’s BDSM community. Though their interests are varied, These Days’ embrace of creative rebellion and nonconformist culture, communities, and artists is apparent in everything they curate. In 2016, These Days began publishing with work by Gusmano Cesaretti, Ian Reid, Sean Maung, and Estevan Oriol. The store features collectible and out-of-print photography books, zines, as well as art and design objects.

Skylight Books bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Skylight Books 1818 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Skylight Books is a general bookstore serving the historic Los Angeles neighborhoods of Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Downtown. Their curated selection features the best of literary fiction; graphic novels; children’s books; California history and culture; political and social sciences; essays and nonfiction; and books on art, photography, film, and music. They also feature hand-picked magazines and zines, along with a selection of stationery and gifts. Skylight Books’ events program is nationally recognized, and features major touring authors, local favorites, and debuts.


Kinokuniya Los Angeles bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Kinokuniya Los Angeles 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka Street #205, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded in 1927 in Tokyo, the Kinokuniya chain spans 80 stores and 35 sales office locations worldwide,  including the popular location in Little Tokyo’s Weller Court. Kinokuniya offers an extensive selection of manga, graphic novels, art and design books, cookbooks, travel books, and children’s books. Calling all fans of animation director Hayao Miyazaki! Kinokuniya is the official retail partner of Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli and carries merchandise shipped directly from Japan, including DVDs, books, stationery, puzzles, pins, stuffed animals, and more.



Museum of Contemporary Art MOCA Bookstore bookstore near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

MOCA Store 250 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located at The Museum of Contemporary Art on Grand, MOCA Store presents an array of eclectic offerings including art monographs, exhibition catalogs, posters, rare and out of print art books, and an interesting collection of cookbooks. You can also find apparel, creative office accessories, art supplies, kids’ toys and gifts, and more. Every purchase you make supports MOCA. MOCA Members receive 10% off any purchase every day.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: The Last Bookstore 

Photo #2: The Last Bookstore 

Photo #3: Hennessey + Ingalls

Photo #4: Artbook @ Hauser & Wirth LA

Photo #5: The Library Store

Photo #6: Now Serving

Photo #7: These Days

Photo #8: Skylight Books

Photo #9: Kinokuniya Los Angeles

Photo #10: MOCA Store

Stock Up For Summer Reading at DTLA Bookstores

Here’s a great opportunity to get a head start on your summer reading. DTLA bookstores are offering curbside pick up and online shopping. Check their websites for details, including in-store openings. Our city is a bibliophile’s paradise – from local treasures like The Last Bookstore to collectible destinations, and quirky specialty shops. You can also support our local bookstores by signing up for their newsletters, organizing online book clubs, and buying gift cards for friends and family.  Looking for some inspiration, here’s Bill Gates’ summer reading list. Get ready to untether from your digital devices, stretch out on your favorite chaise lounge, and crack open a good book.

The Last Book Store 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

A true DTLA treasure, The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store, housed in a stunning 22,000 square-foot space in the Spring Arts Tower. According to owner Josh Spencer, 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. In addition to over 250,000 new and used books on two floors, including the Arts & Rare Book Annex, you’ll also find tens of thousands of vinyl records and graphic novels. Curbside service is limited to bundle customers. If you’re looking for a specific title, please order from the online web store and your books will be shipped right to your door.

Now Serving Far East Plaza 727 N. Broadway #133 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded by Ken Concepcion, former chef de cuisine at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, and his wife Michelle Mungcal, Now Serving carries a melange of new and used cookbooks, including out of print editions. The cookbooks are organized in geographical departments such as the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe, and categories like pastries and baking, beverages, general food writing, and reference books. You can order online from their website.

Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. Suite M Los Angeles, CA 90013

Since its founding in 1963, Hennessey + Ingalls has grown to become the largest art, architecture and design bookstore in the Western United States. A landmark in the visual arts community, Hennessey + Ingalls counts many of the country’s leading architectural firms as clients, along with museums, collectors, art galleries, students, interior designers, graphic design firms, and schools. Even if you’re not an industry professional, it’s fun to browse the store’s in-depth selection of books, including art, art history, architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, and landscaping. Hours for contactless curbside (parking lot) pick-up are 10 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Artbook @Hauser & Wirth LA 917 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Artbook @Hauser & Wirth is an arts and culture bookstore located inside the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery in the DTLA Arts District. The bookstore offers a wide range of topics including art, photography, architecture & design, film, music, fashion and more. Hauser & Wirth opened its Los Angeles location in 2016 in a former flour mill. In addition to supporting and collaborating with many local and international cultural organizations, nonprofits, and universities, the Los Angeles gallery fosters public dialogue with the arts through a range of activities that engage the city’s diverse population. Artbook @Hauser & Wirth is temporarily closed, but you can shop online.

The Library Store 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Library Store is operated by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth in Los Angeles. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library and promotes greater awareness of its valuable resources. Shop the carefully curated collection of books, tees, totes, stationery and much more. All sales benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. While the physical store remains closed, the online store is open. They are processing orders once a week, and shipping out on Fridays.

Kinokuniya 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street #205, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded in 1927 in Tokyo, the Books Kinokuniya chain spans 68 locations in Japan and 28 stores overseas, including the popular location Little Tokyo’s Weller Court. Kinokuniya offers an extensive selection of manga, graphic novels, art and design books, cookbooks, travel books, and children’s books. If you’d like to order books or make inquiries while the store is temporarily closed, please use the contact form and follow the accompanying instructions.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: The Last Bookstore

Photo #2: The Last Bookstore

Photo #3: Now Serving

Photo #4: Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore

Photo #5: Image courtesy of Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore

Photo #6: Image courtesy of Hauser Wirth Schimmel

Photo #7: Kinokuniya USA

Shop DTLA’s Arts District!

From its humble 19th century beginnings as Jean-Louis Vigne’s vineyard and later, an industrial center for railroads and manufacturing, the Arts District has evolved to become one of DTLA’s hottest neighborhoods. In the 1970s, artists in search of cheap studio space began to occupy the area’s dilapidated warehouses, opening art galleries, redeveloping old buildings, and preserving a big part of L.A.’s industrial history. Today, you’ll find it all – from hidden gems to eclectic stores, creative concepts, and high end retail – when you shop DTLA’s Arts District!

Alchemy Works 826 East 3rd St. Los Angeles 90013

Alchemy Works is a lifestyle retail, gallery, and events space concept, highlighting designers and unique home wares, clothing and accessories, including the Warby Parker Glass House, where you can have custom eyeglasses fitted. They regularly host events, bringing a community feel to this sophisticated open-air design venue.

Dover Street Market 606-608 Imperial Street Los Angeles, CA 90021

Dover Market, one of the most exclusive and highly regarded retail trendsetters in the global fashion scene, opened DSMLA, its Los Angeles flagship store, in 2018. Housed in a white 15,000 square-foot renovated warehouse, DSMLA is the latest art-meets-retail concept from the Commes des Garçons label. The interior is laced with a warren of arresting visual displays, art installations, chain link fencing, and galvanized metal, creating distinct sections for coveted brands like Gucci, Palace, noir kei ninomiya, Chanel Fine Jewelry, Mark Jacobs, and Commes des Garçons Women’s and Men’s.

Malin + Goetz 300 S Santa Fe Ave. Suite S Los Angeles 90012

This New York-based beauty line and apothecary features high-end products for various skin types, combining trusted natural ingredients with advanced technology to create uncomplicated luxury skincare and fragrance for the modern, design-conscious individual. Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, the products are suitable for all skin types and genders. They never test on animals and are always striving towards more sustainable formulation and packaging practices.

Shinola 825 E 3rd St. Los Angeles 90013

Shinola is a luxury design brand with an unwavering commitment to crafting products that are built to last – from timepieces to leather goods, jewelry and audio. Founded in 2011, the company operates an in-house watch and leather factory on the fifth floor of the historic Argonaut Building in Detroit, where a team of artisans hand assembles luxury timepieces and crafts premium leather straps. The Arts District store carries a variety of watches, leather bags and journals – you might even find a Shinola bike!

Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co. 941 E 2nd St. Los Angeles 90012

A mens clothing store for the 21st century adventurer. Hatchet Outdoor Supply offers contemporary and lifestyle apparel influenced by exploration, nature, and the outdoors. You’ll find everything from parkas, pants, boots and backpacks, to tents and and other outdoor gear. They even carry candles and cabin spray scents that bring the outdoors inside!

Hennessey + Ingalls 300 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Since its founding in 1963, Hennessey + Ingalls has grown to become the largest art, architecture and design bookstore in the Western United States. In 2016, the store moved to its current location in DTLA’s booming Arts District. A landmark in the visual arts community, Hennessey + Ingalls counts many of the country’s leading architectural firms as clients, along with museums, collectors, art galleries, students, interior designers, graphic design firms, and schools. Even if you’re not an industry professional, it’s fun to browse the store’s in-depth selection of books, including art, art history, architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, and landscaping. 

Apolis Common Gallery 806 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Doing good is in the bag! In 2004, brothers Raan and Shea Parton founded Apolis with a simple idea – that business can create social change. This model is founded on the simple idea that people can live better lives when they are given equal access to the global marketplace. Their signature customizable market bags are sourced and manufactured with partners in Uganda, Peru, Bangladesh, and even around the corner in Los Angeles. These long–lasting, everyday items improve the lives of the people who make them, and help shape our world.

Artist & Craftsman Supply 1917-1921 E 7th St. Los Angeles 90021

Where would the Arts District be without an art supply store? Welcome to the Artist & Craftsman Supply, an employee-owned company that has been providing artists with excellent materials at competitive prices since first opening in Yarmouth, Maine in 1985. The store carries a wide variety of supplies for all types of arts and crafts that are on average 15-20% off of the manufacturer’s suggested list price. Educators and student also qualify for 10% off their purchases. Any questions can be answered by the helpful, knowledgeable staff of artists.

Hue 300 S Santa Fe Ave. Suite G Los Angeles 90013

Hue is a new, specially curated shopping experience that features the latest trends for women’s, men’s, kid’s, contemporary and high-end fashion brands from around the world, such as Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Bally, Repetto, Zadig & Voltaire, and Jonathan Adler. They focus on creating a space where people can enjoy the wide selection of brands in a chic, relaxed atmosphere.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: Alchemy Works

Photo #2: Alchemy Works

Photo #3: Dover Street Market

Photo #4: Malin + Goetz

Photo #5: Shinola

Photo #6: Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.

Photo #7: Hennessey + Ingalls

Photo #8: Apolis Common Gallery

Photo #9: Artist & Craftsman Supply

Photo #10: Hue Los Angeles