One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
LA County Coroner Wants to Raise Dead Sales at Their Gift Shop
A beach towel from the Coroner's office gift shop
A beach towel from the Coroner's office gift shop
Shoppers with a bent for the macabre may already know that the Los Angeles County Coroner's office runs a gift shop called "Skeletons in the Closet." Toe tag lapel pins, chalk body outline notepads and key rings, a "My First Skeleton" kit, suncatchers, beach towels, travel mugs and more are on sale as a sincere, albeit quirky, side project of the department. Now the Coroner's office is considering expanding their sales scope past their usual clientele of detectives and law enforcement personnel, according to the Washington Post.
A unique marketing opportunity, what is thought to be the only coroner's department in the nation to have its own in-house retail line, some within the department are urging those in charge consult with a promotions expert in order to raise the store's profile and boost sales, tapping into what could be a thriving market.
Though adventurous tourists get tipped off via tour books, and some tours stop by, the people coming to the coroner's office for a visit aren't often in the mood to shop: "The department has deliberately downplayed the store, mindful that most people who seek out the coroner's department are bereaved relatives."
Right now the store is operating at a yearly loss, but not everyone is sold on the idea of raising the dead sales through promotion: "Marketing experts said the merchandise would likely be popular, although it could perhaps reinforce foreigners' perception of American cities as breeding-grounds for violence.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
