Dear Readers,

It was with a sense of despair that I headed out to see The Last Bookstore with my own eyes. While I hoped that the name was just a tongue-in-cheek take on the state of brick and mortar retail establishments, it would not surprise me at all if the actual last bookstore in the world closes its doors in my lifetime. As bleak as that thought may be, I’ve already given in to the notion that it will happen. While there are some who would say that no one reads anymore, I feel like convenience is the rocket fuel hastening the end of an era. Thanks to Amazon and its lightning quick delivery, a physical copy of a book is only a click away. It’s even faster if a person is using an e-reader. When that dark day comes, there will be good reason why The Last Bookstore will be the final retailer to soap its windows and thank its customers for their years of loyal patronage.

The Last Bookstore also employs the last sign painter.

Some folks think heaven may look like this place.

It has everything to do with the design the proprietors have taken with The Last Bookstore. Housed in a former bank building in downtown Los Angeles, they have integrated several features of its former self. Laying eyes on the soaring columns and repurposed vault are reason enough to come and gander. However, that was not what brought me in this Saturday morning. Like most everyone else here, I had been drawn in by the book sculptures and the images I had seen online. Flying books, a book tunnel, as well as a portal made out of books have all helped establish the store’s eternal presence on Instagram. Without spending a dime of their marketing budget, The Last Bookstore is able to get endless advertising by people like myself taking and sharing photos.

You’ve seen the pictures before. Just not with my kids.

And of course, the book portal. With my kids . . .

Opportunities for selfies aside, I would consider this a first-rate bookstore. The Last Bookstore offers up both new and used books housed in over twenty-two thousand square feet. According to its website, that makes it the largest in California. The inventory is spread out over two stories and into an annex next door. Understanding that finding a proper book is a leisurely affair, interspersed throughout the store are places to sit comfortably so customers can thumb through a selection before making a purchase. Their formula worked in my case. After putting eyes on the book portal deep in the twists and turns of the second floor, I was left to wander through the store at my own pace. As any mildly literate person can attest to, it’s impossible to move through stacks of books without picking up and skimming through a couple. And with that, I was able to get the photos I was looking for and ended up leaving with a copy of Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon.

Plenty of space to browse and diddle on phones.

Never judge a book by its cover. Unless you’re an interior designer. In that case, The Last Bookstore has you covered.

I am happy to report that I was not the only person who fell under the spell of The Last Bookstore. Early on a Saturday morning, the place was full of the curious and those who came to browse. The business was brisk as people chose to be here instead of lining up for brunch. To my relief, it appears that the end of bookstores has been averted, at least for now.

I get a little bit of nostalgia when I see people waiting on line to make a purchase.

The Last Bookstore

435 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90013

213 488-0599

Looking for some other unique experiences that Los Angeles has to offer? How about a ride on a funicular at Angel’s Flight? Or, what about a puppet show with The Bob Baker Marionette Theater?

This post is based on a visit made on June 4, 2022

Dear Reader,

For this latest installment of Animated Meat, I feel the need to provide a warning to travelers whose wanderings may take them through the heart of the Mojave Desert. This entry will not serve as a reminder to prepare for the obvious threats one may encounter in a harsh and unforgiving environment. Readers of this fair periodical are a cerebral bunch, so it’s safe to assume they have the wisdom to pack plenty of sunblock and extra water. Nor will this be an attempt to caution you about the poisonous snakes who call the burning wasteland home. You already know that critters such as the Western Diamond Rattlesnake just want to be left alone. No, this dispatch is to let you know about something entirely different that has grown out a wide open stretch between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Hugging the shoulder of Interstate 15 sits EddieWorld, an unbelievably well appointed gas station that has something for everyone. And if you’re not careful, it may become your family’s next great travel tradition, just as it is now ours.

Plenty of light and space. And candy. Plenty of that, too.

EddieWorld proudly distinguishes itself from the barren landscape it inhabits with a six-story ice cream hugging the side of Interstate 15. Who wouldn’t be tempted to satisfy a sense of curiosity by using a need to refill as an excuse? The good lord knows that I did. Billing itself as California’s largest gas station, EddieWorld offers up twenty-six fueling islands, assuring as little delay as possible to those itching to get back on the road. However, the minds behind EddieWorld do not hang their ambitions on gasoline sales alone. With a nod to the future, they also offer up eighteen electric vehicle charging stations. With the most affordable fuel on the trip to Las Vegas, they have all but guaranteed I won’t stop in Barstow anymore. But the attraction does not end there.

I make it a habit not to take pictures in a restroom. Trust me. They’re worth the stop.

Inside, EddieWorld offers up the pinnacle of what public restrooms should be and serves as an example of how a business should treat customers. Forget about the horrors you have experienced looking for relief at a ramshackle gas station. Never is there a line for one shabby toilet, nor is there ever a mess to be found. With Las Vegas as the final destination for many, there must be thousands of visitors a day looking for relief. However, these spotless restrooms belie their persistent use. Aside from being clean, an added feature I never knew that I wanted until I arrived here are the floor-to-ceiling partitions on the stalls.

Funko Pops would not have the empire they do without impulse buys.

Affordable gasoline and spotless facilities are only the beginning of EddieWorld’s attraction. The variety of dining options may well be the thing that calls to your soul. If you’re looking for something made to order, they have you covered. As one familiar with interstate highway travel would expect, burgers and chicken tenders are available. However, the menu is staggeringly expansive and offers everything from pizza and salads, to sushi rolls . If the siren’s song of Sin City is too strong for you to stay and eat, plan on finding something resembling sustenance in the rows of candy and jerky before you get back on the road.

However, what draws us here time and again is the well-stocked selection of Beanie Boos. If you’re uninitiated, Beanie Boos are wide eyed collectible plushies that are convenient souvenirs both in their size and their price. At about six dollars each, a couple of these always manage to join our caravan before we head back out on the road. Thankfully, our adventures rarely draw us north on the 15. Considering all that EddieWorld has to offer those who frequent Las Vegas or points northward, this could get to be an expensive proposition.

EddieWorld

36017 Calico Road

Yermo, California 92398

760 441-7993

Looking for some other unique roadside attractions? Next time you’re in Oregon, head to Prehistoric Gardens. In California, take a look at Bunnyhenge.

This post is based on a visit made on July 11, 2021