Stories Books & Cafe
Owners: Alex Maslansky, Liz Garo, Claudia Colodro
Founded: 2008
Stories Books & Cafe is a bibliophile’s dream. With sign posts all around the store banning the use of cellphones, Stories is its own exclusive book-haven. Its wide-collection of fiction, poetry, and philosophy surround the cozy, wooden tables to share with other book-loving strangers.
Located in Echo Park, only a block away from the lake, this bookstore greets you with a “READ MORE BOOKS” neon blue electric sign and a used bookshelf outside. Stories is a community place, a local’s favorite spot in the neighborhood. This is what I love most about the store: you will find all sorts of people from all walks of life roaming the shelves, sipping a coffee while scribbling in a notebook, or eating lunch on the patio. Anyone and everyone is a part of the bookstore, which is an extension of book culture itself.
All throughout college I would escape to Stories to read class assignments or write in my notebook without the distraction of a screen. The atmosphere is calming and the designs and art around the store are perfect inspiration. Recently, I went on a little bookstore tour around Los Angeles with my friend Banjo. Stories was our first stop and I ordered an iced-latte because LA summers are always hotter than one expects. Banjo and I like to pick a book at random and flip through its pages, having the other choose when to stop like a magician performing a card trick. Then we pick left or right, paragraph number, and we read it to each other like a prophecy. We found that Stories was a stellar bookstore for this game with its bizarre and rare finds.
THE STORY:
Stories Books & Cafe opened during the financial crisis in 2008. It is not only a living miracle of a business, but is a thriving center for culture and artists. I spoke with Alex, who has been a bookseller for over twenty years, learning about the neighborhood and property and how the financial crisis in 2008 impacted their local economy. Liz and Claudia also previously worked in bookstores and decided they wanted to open their own store. They appreciated the artistic and cultural neighborhood of Echo Park, deciding to plant their store only a few blocks down from the Echo- a local music venue that Liz previously worked for.
Now they host a multitude of local events including readings, comedy shows, music, and magic shows. Be sure to check out their events list on their website or social media in the links below!
There is something unique about Stories, whether it is the funky decor, the wide-range of literature, or the regulars who you can meet every weekend. It is a cozy place to read and write, to chat over lunch with a friend, or to sketch portraits.
Alex, when asked about his passion for bookselling, attributed it to “the endless discoveries.” He says working at a bookstore and book culture “gives [him] faith in the world, hope in the fact that fantastic books never stop offering up themselves for discovery.”
This type of discovery is made possible by book lovers like Alex, Liz, and Claudia who create amazing spaces for people like us.
NOTABLE SECTIONS:
You will find all types of quirky books and magazines at Stories. They have a wide range of fiction, which covers almost the entire left side of the store. It contains the most essential new and plenty of old.
They also have a robust philosophy and * bloody * poetry section!
Their LA- based section, with local interest music, also contains some fantastic works.
Website: https://storiesla.com/
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/storiesla/
CAFE & RESTUARANT
Stories has its own cafe & kitchen, with delicious food and coffee. The weather is almost always perfect for sitting outside and enjoying your coffee & sandwich.
Although you are not allowed to use a computer at some of the tables inside, outside is fair game with technology. It is relaxing spot to work, write, read, design, or just listen to good music.
OH- and don’t miss the wifi password! ;)
Used Books: ✓
Rare Books: ✓
Sell Books: ✓
Cafe: ✓
Wifi: ✓
Pets: ✓
Share your bookstore experience with @everyotherbookstore !