Pickwick Book Shop
| Industry | Specialty retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1938 |
| Founder | Louis Epstein |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Fate | acquired by Dayton Hudson |
| Successor | B. Dalton |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | 16 at its peak |
Area served | Southern California |
Key people | Louis Epstein, Dayton Hudson |
Pickwick Book Shop operated as an independent bookstore situated at 6741-6745 W. Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Renowned as the "supermarket of books," it attracted a diverse clientele including numerous film and literary personalities.[1]
History
In 1925, Louis Epstein acquired his initial bookstore—a modest shop adjoining a gunsmith store in Long Beach, California. He later relocated the business to downtown Los Angeles, where it was rebranded as Epstein's Used Books, specializing primarily in literature and poetry.[1]
During the early 1930s, a film studio approached Epstein to rent 5,000 books for use as props. They agreed on a rental fee of $0.05 Template:USDCY per book per day for a thirty-day period. Although the books were returned approximately one year later, when the studio attempted to pay only for the initial thirty days, Epstein consulted his attorney who successfully secured full payment. Concerned that Epstein might frivolously spend the funds on additional books and leisure, the lawyer withheld the money and advised Epstein to purchase property instead. The funds were then placed in escrow. In 1938, Epstein utilized this escrow account to establish Pickwick Book Shop, naming it after Charles Dickens’ 1836 novel The Pickwick Papers.[1]
Located at 6743 W. Hollywood Boulevard, Pickwick Book Shop was a three-story establishment that gained significant popularity among Hollywood’s film and literary circles as well as the wider public. Esteemed visitors included F Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Chandler, William Faulkner, Humphrey Bogart, and Marlene Dietrich,[1] with additional patrons such as Orson Welles, Peter Finch, Marlon Brando, and Ray Bradbury also known to frequent the store.[2]
The Pickwick Book Shop expanded by acquiring the adjacent building to its west and eventually grew to include fifteen more outlets throughout southern California.[1]
In 1968, Dayton Hudson, founder of the B. Dalton bookstore chain, purchased Pickwick. By 1979, he unified all his stores under a single brand name.[1]
Building
At its peak, Pickwick Book Shop spanned two adjacent properties in Hollywood, located at 1708 N McCadden Place and 6741-6745 Hollywood Boulevard. Constructed in 1917 and 1925 respectively, these buildings collectively exhibit three unique architectural styles emblematic of Hollywood’s golden era. The McCadden frontage presents commercial brick vernacular architecture, the corner of McCadden Place and Hollywood Boulevard showcases an Art Deco facade adorned with stylized concrete motifs, while the Hollywood Boulevard side features intricate Churrigueresque ornamentation.
In 1984, the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Within this designation, the two buildings—along with their three distinctive architectural styles—are collectively recognized under the name "Pickwick Books" as contributing elements to the historic district.
The property changed hands in 1996 with a sale price of $580,000. As of 2024, the premises accommodate a Starbucks coffeehouse, a souvenir retailer, and a Taco Bell Cantina.
See also
References
- Pages with reference errors
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- Defunct independent bookstores in California
- Bookstores in Los Angeles
- Bookstores established in the 20th century
- Culture of Hollywood, Los Angeles
- History of Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Hollywood Boulevard
- Buildings and structures in Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Historic district contributing properties in California
- Bookstores disestablished in the 20th century
- 1979 disestablishments in California
- 1938 establishments in California