Eso Won Books
| Company type | Independent bookstore |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Books) |
| Founded | June 1988 |
| Founder | James Fugate, Tom Hamilton |
| Defunct | 2022 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
| Products | African-American literature, children's books |
Eso Won Books, an independent bookseller located at 4327 Degnan Boulevard within the Historic Leimert Park Village district of South Los Angeles, was recognized as one of the most prominent Black-owned bookstores across the United States. In 2021, it earned the distinction of Bookstore of the Year by Publishers Weekly.
Description
Spanning 1,800 square feet, Eso Won Books focused on a curated selection of African-American literature, both classic and modern, and included a dedicated children's book section. The store frequently organized author appearances and community events until its closure in 2022.
History
Established in the summer of 1988 by James Fugate and Tom Hamilton, Eso Won—which translates to “water over rocks” in Amharic—originally operated as Eso Won Books on Wheels. The founders’ vision was to sell books at local gatherings such as the Los Angeles Times Book Fair and to create an inclusive bookstore in Los Angeles welcoming readers of all backgrounds rather than solely serving as a Black bookstore.
Throughout its operation, the store hosted book signings featuring notable personalities including Muhammad Ali alongside his biographer Howard Bingham, historian Yosef Ben-Jochannan, science fiction author Octavia Butler, scholar John Henrik Clarke, lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., poet Nikki Giovanni, music industry executive Berry Gordy, Jr., vocalist Patti LaBelle, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, novelist Gloria Naylor, poet Sonia Sanchez, activist Kwame Ture (also known as Stokely Carmichael), and writer Alice Walker.
Recognition
Esteemed author Ta-Nehisi Coates, known for Between the World and Me, referred to Eso Won Books as "my favorite bookstore" and included it as a stop on his inaugural book tour.
In popular culture
- A scene outside Eso Won Books in Leimert Park is featured in season 3 (2018), episode "Fresh-Like" of Issa Rae's television series Insecure.
- The 2007 mystery novel Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Story, co-authored by actor Blair Underwood along with writers Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes, mentions Eso Won Books among other iconic Los Angeles locations such as Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles.
See also
External links
- "Issa Rae's Favorite Black-owned Bookstore in Los Angeles" – conversation with owner James Fugate conducted by author and actress Issa Rae, October 16, 2020.
- "President Barack Obama visits James Fugate and Tom Hamilton of Eso Won Books" – interview featuring the founders, April 23, 2021.