What is it about browsing a bookstore that is enjoyable? I would say it’s looking through the shelves, reading summaries and trying to find that one story that piques your interest. Others would say going in with a goal in mind and coming out with books that you know are going to help you take steps toward that goal — like buying books to learn a second language. But at that point, since these things can be achieved at virtually any bookstore, what makes a bookstore stand out from the rest, and specifically, what makes The Last Bookstore worth visiting?
Upon opening at 11 a.m., people, myself included, were already gathering to enter The Last Bookstore, which sells new and used books and music. All of the people there that I was able to talk to were visiting for the first time as well. Notably, people said that they were intrigued by the images they saw of the bookstore online, and one visitor said the name “The Last Bookstore” was mysterious and interesting. So, it was obvious to me that this bookstore had a special quality to it that was drawing people in, and I wanted to see what it was for myself.
The first floor of The Last Bookstore was, at first, like most bookstores, but tucked away in little rooms or corners were unique sections: The Arts and Rare Books Annex, Antique Books, the music section and the clothing section.
The Arts and Rare Books Annex was essentially what it sounds like. I asked Tim, a helpful information desk employee, for some clarification about what makes a book rare, to which he said first editions, anything signed and anything collectible, which were all encased in glass shelves.
The Antique Books room, in my opinion, was mostly for vibes. As you enter through a bank vault door into a room that in itself feels antique with its creaking wood floors, you find dim incandescent lights and shelves lined with old books that are mostly for show and not for sale — dictionaries, tax court reports, encyclopedias, anthologies and more that are mainly taken and used in film sets, according to Tim.
The music section was definitely enjoyable, if not for the music, then for the decorations, which will be a recurring theme. The area had a funky, or groovy, if you will, ambiance, with lava lamps, hanging plants and old radios and record players from all eras lining the window sills. The cherry on top was the sunlight being filtered through multicolored vinyl covering the windows, shining on me as I sifted through vinyl from every genre I could imagine.
The clothing section certainly had a specific style, and if you’re looking for a fun graphic tee or sweatshirt, then the clothes on those racks hit the mark. Every single item had a cool design on it, whether it be from a band, artist, brand or anything else. As a cat lover, of course, what caught my eye was a crew neck that had a cy-cat design, but I actually had no idea where it was from, which really drove home the curated and one-of-a-kind feeling the clothes gave me. Tim told me that the clothes were from a separate business called Gimme Danger, which is all about selling vintage clothing.
Although the first floor was exciting, what really blew my socks off was the second floor of The Last Bookstore. Right away, at the top of the stairs, you’re met with this surreal space that looks straight out of a dream, with floating books, papers defying gravity and swirling out of a typewriter and a bookcase distended and filled to bursting. This dreamlike quality continued as I entered The Labyrinth, where the bookshelves are much closer together and configured into what felt like a maze, true to its name. The decorations on this second floor coincided with the book genres they were near, making for a truly immersive experience. There were metal machines, bird cages and large mushrooms in the sci-fi and fantasy area; a vault room with an eerie metal chair in the middle, creepy dolls and dubious machinery on the walls for the horror, thriller and true crime area; and so much more that was just beyond entertaining in the rest of The Labyrinth.
Just when the books come to an end, The Last Bookstore still has more to offer. My favorite part about my day there was their Spring Arts Collective, where they showcased art and even had studios and galleries where some of the showcased artists themselves were conversing, selling their art or featuring other artists. There were four such rooms: The Fold Gallery, Dove Biscuit Studio, Andrea Bogdan’s Studio and Liz Huston’s Art and Curiosities.
I was so happy to be able to talk to an amazing artist, Liz Huston, and learn more about her and what she does at The Last Bookstore. Her art was a stunning blend of mediums like photography, digital and tactile things like painting, and the art she made was eye-catching in its mystical characteristics. Huston’s work is a byproduct of her love for surrealism and her spiritual practice, giving her art an authenticity and beauty that was impossible to ignore. She moved into the bookstore in 2012 and has been there ever since, selling her art and things she can personally stand behind — curated books she’s read herself and loves, art and other things made by herself or friends, just generally trying to support other artists as much as she can. Huston helps with curating the bookstore’s gallery, which switches every few months, and believes that having a gallery makes The Last Bookstore a place that creates and facilitates community and supports people.
Tim said something that made an impression on me: “This place is built around, and with, art in mind. It seeps into the store.” It was clear to me before, but especially in that moment, The Last Bookstore is a place that prioritizes an amazing experience and the fostering of community, transcending what a traditional, everyday bookstore is and calling into question what the nature of a bookstore should be.
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Featured Image via Julia Gu/BruinLife
