For those who are fond of antiques, rarities, relics, or folklore, a bookstore may not be your first guess of where they all come together. Yet for readers who like to explore the unknown—whether in fiction or Holly-weird—Long Beach’s {open} bookstore is the place to discover some fascinating, uncharted avenues of the art and literary worlds.
Unlike other rare and used bookstores, {open} has collectibles typically seen on the shelves of a dusty antique shop: antiquated typewriters, cameras, and radios compose the store’s miniature exhibit. Also displayed are collage pieces aesthetic of 1950s American advertisements and pop culture, created by local artists Rebecca Trawick and David Wallace. In the back, an assortment of original photography can be found, including close-ups of The Cramps live on-stage taken by Timothy M. Bramlette. The nostalgic atmosphere gives way to the store’s unique book collection, spanning various genres including literature, humanities, music, film, theater, religion, tribal, traditions, essays and theories, philosophy, children’s lit, comics, and the quite comical “short attention span fiction.” Some hard-to-find titles were cased in glass shelves including '50s westerns, sci-fi, and noir fiction, and such literary oddities as June Carter Cash’s book From the Heart. Discover their affordable collection of cult favorites in paperback, including a 1974 renewed edition of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 classic A Street Car Named Desire with stills from the 1951 hit movie and theater production—and a shirtless young Marlon Brando gracing the cover. Where else could one have found such a diamond in the rough?
Aside from the hodgepodge of eccentric art and literature, {open} features even more unusual digs such as scarce LPs and a ready-to-go turn-table for the use of local musicians and performers. Visitors can expect a different performer every weekend at the bookshop. Check out the store’s website at www.thestoryofopen.com to learn more.
{open} is located at 2226 E. 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90814.
Check out other bookstore reviews by LeAnne.
Comments
Very well written Miss Bagnall. The (Open) book store should be very thankful to have such an indepth and complimentary review.
You are my favorite examiner.
Wow! Sounds like a cool place!!!
LeAnne I must say thank you for writing about this book store. I did not even know that it was in exsistance. I enjoyed your article, and I enjoyed my trip to the store as well.
Congrats LeAnne on your new job! Best of luck to you. I like your writing style. I also like your articles about what's going on around my native town, Long Beach! Keep up the good work!!!
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