LAist: Another One Bites the Dust (Jacket)

GarySe7en

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:49:16 -0800

This is really sad, that place is epic, a mecca of books. I was just there recently after having not been in a some time, and it blows me away every time. I was taking some photos inside, since I had my camera, oblivious to the coming doom. I will have to return as much as I can before they go under.

eecue

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:49:52 -0800

Their deceased son, Don Smith, was a friend of mine. He is missed as there store will be.

aldo

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:40:21 -0800

I had lived in Long Beach for a couple months and had always passed by on the train. Finally went in one day and was blown away. It was like another world. Ended up spending like three hours in there and went there every month after that. This is just upsetting/sad, I *wish* I could buy it and keep it open.

PinLA

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:57:59 -0800

Farewell Newspapers, Farewell Books, hello LCD screen.

brainylagirl

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:21:31 -0800

oh, what a complete shame! acres of books was a mind-bogglingly fun place for any reader. farewell to another los angeles literary institution.

TarPitRob

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:25:08 -0800

We all know that "mixed use project" means overpriced stucco "urban" apartments with a Starbucks, Borders, and Jamba Juice on the ground floor. "Art-Centric" translates to a painting of a rice bowl on the wall.

Emoney

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:05:07 -0800

Aw. I used to work at a record label right across the street from Acres of Books when I lived in Long Beach. What a bummer.

Meadowbat

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:03:37 -0800

I remember my eighth grade history teacher talking about Acres of Books like it was Atlantis, so I'll always have a fond place in my heart for it--even though I've never been there (which means I'm partly to blame for its shaky future). I recently heard a local lit blogger say that the farewell party for Dutton's was attended largely by older people. I'll miss these great independent bookstores, but I also wonder if it's time to start looking at other (non-brick-and-mortar) ways that independent literature can thrive.

Rocktageous

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:51:54 -0800

The best part about this is that the largest chain just made returning books much more difficult. Is that like the Walmart model? Use your size to offer a generous return policy that independent stores couldn't possibly compete with, wait for them to go out of business, and change it to 14 days with receipt? Oh, and they trimmed their selection in order to have more books with the covers facing out. Sigh...