Portrait of A Bookstore

What a loss! This marvelously curated little bookstore closed its doors last spring/​summer. I’ve held many story conferences at Aroma Café: The place will never be the same for me without Portrait of a Bookstore tucked away inside it.

I’m not a very good girlfriend. I cheat on my boyfriend: regularly. It is an affair which has been going on for so many years, that I hardly remember when it began. It takes up most of my time, causes me to become preoccupied when I am supposed to be getting ready to see my boyfriend, and without any remorse for his feelings; I talk about my affair right to his face.
I’d like to introduce to my main squeeze: BOOKS.
This pitter patter in my heart is genuinely filled when I meet with Books in bookstores. In these locales, my lover and I can express our mutual affection with no bounds. Sadly, Portrait of a Bookstore is not necessarily the best meet-​up spot for my date with Books. Portrait of a Bookstore is attached to Aroma Café. If you view this in terms of the combined offerings of Aroma (café, bakery/​coffeshop, bookstore); then Portrait is a great addition. However, that is a different review and Portrait is considered a separate business (ie. you don’t have to eat at Aroma to browse the «bookstore» and there is a separate entrance).
Portrait breaks my heart in the bookstore sense. It is tiny and stuffed together making it very difficult for an individual to walk by another. Now, this isn’t the main reason that Portrait fails. I have no qualms about it being too small. However, Portrait is more of a novelty gift shop wrapped in a «bookstore» binding (pun intended). Yes, it features books (mostly classics, a few current best-​sellers, and some children’s books) with employee recommendations on the shelves. However, the best part of small bookstores is finding an obscure or interesting novel or coffee table book. This seems to be lacking at Portrait as the book selection is, well, bluntly: boring. If you want to grab a classic, then by all means, head to Portrait. Otherwise, it is somewhat of a lost cause.
Another heart-​wrenching factor? The prices are through the roof. Portrait features not only books but novelties like chess sets, stamps, journals, key-​chains, children’s knick-​knacks, etc. However, the prices are ridiculous. Even their 40% off sale which they employ regularly doesn’t help much. You can find the same titles/​products elsewhere for far cheaper.
The employees behind the counter (I’ve been in here several times so it was different individuals) aren’t very engaging which is a disappointment in such small quarters. When there is no one else in the «store», I expect a welcome versus silence and your face glued to your computer screen the whole time I am patronizing your establishment.
My love for Books will never die but sadly, we have to find another spot for our rendezvous. Luckily for me, my boyfriend accepts (and even encourages) my cheating heart.

Been coming here (and to Aroma) for years. (Like, before there were lines out the door and valet service. Those were the days.)
Yes, it’s tiny, and there are lots of non-​books to distract you. (Every time I need a gift for my parents, I come here — and usually leave with some jewelry for myself too.) But there are also plenty of books. Certainly a smaller selection than big-​shelf stores, but that’s GOOD. The staff have actually READ what’s on their shelves. I’ve gone in with nothing more than a vague description of the feel I want, and walked out with great finds every time — books I would never have discovered myself. If you want something specific and they don’t have it in stock, they’ll order it for you. Personally, I love supporting a small local business that way, and if the worst hassle about it is that I have to come back another day to pick up my book and dig in over coffee and a pastry on the beautiful patio… That’s the kind of hassle I want.

I reviews on Unilocal were a little misleading on this one. I was expecting more and found a super cramped, more café than bookstore, bookstore. I’d buy a book here before I’d purchase one at Borders or Barnes but that’s just because I like rooting for the little guy in the game sometimes. It was well organized but I felt like I was in and out in a matter of moments because it is so small and cramped.

Small but incredibly well-​curated. I know that’s an overrated phrase, but in this case it’s true. This is a store is run and staffed by people who pay attention to what is going on in literature and nonfiction books and stock the new and relevant, along with some classics. They’ve cut out the acres of awfulness at the big box chains. The staff always has recommendations, can order anything you want and all hardcovers are 20 percent off. As others have said, I’ve discovered authors there and, personally, find the trinkets and whatnot delightful. It’s in my neighborhood, so I’m a frequent visitor. I’m always made to feel welcome and the staff is very helpful. After visting, my husband often remarks that he feels as if he has taken a trip to New York. I’ve gotten some cool earrings, a cute striped scarf, nice accent lamps and beautiful mirror. I usually wait for their sales, which are pretty regular. The kids section is small, but has a nice selection and cute gifts. I love that we have this book store in Studio City and make a point of patronizing them to support independent book stores and my neighborhood.

You couldn’t ask for a cuter bookstore. It’s tucked into the side of the beautiful Aroma Café, and well worth a visit just for some cake and coffee. The bookstore really should be known for an amazing selection of notecards. They have tons of vintage prints and LA prints for everything from birthdays to celebrating a new baby, to sympathy.
But you know what I go for. POSTCARDS :) They have one rack of postcards featuring modern art, classic photos by Annie Lebowitz, portraits of famous authors and rockers, and some random things thrown in. Most of «fotofolio» brand. It’s not a bad place to find an unusual postcard… and the best excuse to go in for stationary and leave with cake!

I really don’t get the enthusiasm expressed in the other reviews. I love bookstores, both new and used, and to me, this is not a bookstore. It’s a small, cramped room in the hardest-​to-​access corner of a sprawling, crowded café. I can see possibly picking something up if you were already at the café for lunch, but it’s not a book-​lovers destination in and of itself.
I went in looking for a gift for my 6-y.o. nephew. The kids nook is tiny (like the rest of the room) — it has a few hard cover picture books, a few hard cover chapter books, a few hard cover teen books, and then paperbacks in all the above categories. If you’re looking for an obvious or classic title you might be able to find it here, but there’s not the quantity and variety necessary to make a happy new discovery. Plus, trying to browse was just uncomfortable, because there were four people trying to look over the goods in a tiny nook barely large enough for one. (This was a Saturday afternoon.)
Two nice racks of unusual art greeting cards, however.

After The Strand in New York, this is my 2^nd favorite bookstore. Although, its much smaller (almost like a shop), you can still spend hours in here… well, at least I can. Every time I’m here, I feel like James Hilton’s characters from The Lost Horizon. Time just stops and I’m suddenly in a whole new world. What makes this place even better is that its right inside the best coffee shop in the valley!

Great little bookstore, tucked away in a nook. The staff is remarkably friendly and their selection of trinkets are awesome. Highly recommended.

Portrait of A Bookstore is an absolutely charming shop.
I bought a few books here today for my daughter.
I was reminded when talking to the sweet lady working there that bookstores don’t often survive in today’s world of online book purchasing and chain mega stores. She said the store has been around for 15 years and I hope it continues to stick around for much longer!

Whimsical! Always something fresh and new in the mix. Love to peruse after yummy nosh at Aroma.
Staff is considerate and interested in you as a customer. Good suggestions if asked. Gift wrapping is done very nicely gratis.
I am particularly fond of the antique china and tea cups from England. The owners I hear have a home there and honestly have the most breathtaking tea cup trios that I have ever come across.
I’ve adopted quite a few and use them with much respect and love.
Wonderful array of books. Fave thing is the customer reviews that are hung beneath the books.
It is a plus to support local business!

It has been a long time, my friends, since I have gone to a book store where the employees actually read and know the books and can recommend one for just about any mood you’re in. Portrait of a Bookstore has alot of titles and some other great titles that you’ve never heard. Prices are decent, and if they don’t have what you’re looking for they can order it for you.
With books, unique greeting cards and a fantastic section for kids, it’s time to skip the chain stores, grab a book and some coffee from Aroma Café (the bookstore is inside of it) and have a night of relaxation.

I lalalalaluuuurve this lil bookstore. And seeing as how it is right next to Aroma it is just even cooler by association. You will find some great stuff here and if you actually know how to read, it’s even better. So check it out!

Pound for pound, the coolest bookstore in LA, if not the entire world. Yes, I said «# for #». It’s not a gigantic book warehouse like Borders or (thank Gawwd) Barnes & Ignoble), but this one room (plus half of another) part of an old re-​used house packs a mighty punch. The days of bookstore employees who actually KNOW about and have a PASSION for books and their accoutrements seemed to be over — until I found Portrait several years ago. (Has it really been five years???).
They can order anything for you, and they have a bunch of cool gizmos — some humorous, some useful, some both — and they have enough ‘tude to make it interesting and fun. Chill with a coffee or tea and an AWESOME dessert from Aroma Café in the same old reused house. Great patios, front and back. Park a couple miles away and get some exercise (j/​k — but do expect to walk a block or two, if you can decipher the byzantine parking regulations in the area).
Support indie bookstores!!!

Adorable indie bookstore nestled inside the quaint (yet hip) Aroma Café. This tiny treasure trove of books has personable and super knowledgeable staff who will discuss novels and plot lines with you so you can select the right book. I left with two books– Running With Scissors and Veronica. The clerk had read both and recommended them to me. They also have a cute selection of kid’s books & toys, gift items, and even antiques. I will definitely be back here! They also host book clubs and other fun activities. An inviting fireplace with tables & chairs encourages you to linger and sip something from Aroma.