Historic Dawson's Book Shop Closes



It was a continuous run of 105 years for Dawson's Book Shop.  Specializing in California history, Western Americana and photography, its earlier locations were downtown at 518 So. Hill Street, then to 627 So. Grand Avenue, then three blocks west to 550 South Figueroa, before arriving at the present address at 535 No. Larchmont.  The building will have company among buildings with 'for sale' and 'for lease' signs.

[Update 10/5/18:  read more about Dawson's presence in downtown's Booksellers Row]

The closing of the brick and mortar store came August 21, 2010, almost 42 years to the day of the Larchmont store's grand opening.  The August 26th issue of the Los Angeles Weekly covered this story titled "Turning a Page," by David Cotner which can be accessed by going to the newspaper's online archive.  Store owner Michael Dawson cited the impact of the Internet in changing the business of new and out-of-print books.  He anticipates to maintain an online presence from this point on.



Dawson's building will be leased out.

Powell's Books, Portland, Oregon

In Portland there is a 40-year old thriving bookseller.

Powell's City of Books is one of six locations in Portland and encompasses a full city block.
(Courtesy of K.V. Brown)

Powell's is a family-run business that started in 1970 back in Chicago.
Read their accolades at Powell's.com.  (Courtesy of K.V. Brown)

Powell's had the business sense to establish an online presence back in 1994, a year when the World Wide Web was in its infancy, and web browsers had not been developed yet.  (Courtesy of K.V. Brown)