Circus of Books on Santa Monica Closing...

[Guy Fawkes]

One of my favorite places of all time was Circus of Books on Santa Monica Blvd. In the 80s it was the best place to buy Science Fiction in the Hollywood area. Of course, the people that hung around that block may have had something to do with it.

 

 

Karen and Barry Mason swear they never planned to sell porn for long.

 

They were just really good at it.

 

For 37 years, the couple — now septuagenarian grandparents — have run Circus of Books, a West Hollywood bookstore that sold gay and straight nudie magazines, hardcore pornographic films and sex toys, as well as international newspapers and classic literary titles.

 

“I always assumed that we would end up doing something else,” Karen said. “We don’t know anything, really.”

 

The Santa Monica Boulevard store gained legendary status in Southern California’s LGBTQ community as a place where people could peruse gay erotica or meet other gay people, hanging out in a place free from homophobia.

 

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-west-hollywood-porn-shop-circus-of-books-20190208-story.html

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

One of my college jobs was managing a gay adult magazine's subscriber list, as well as dealing directly with the stores.

 

I have good memories of CoB. They always paid on time and were very friendly. Sad to see them go.

[body2body]

Circus of Books was one of the fixtures of the West Hollywood Gay Community. Like @Guy Fawkes, I bought more Science Fiction ( it was my source for the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction) than porn there. They also had vintage copies “Physique Pictorial”. They had some trouble with the neighbors on La Jolla Ave. during the 90s due to all the sexual activity in the Alley behind the store. It became known as Vaseline Alley because guys would hook up there after the bars closed and the bookshop remained open. Sometimes the activity spread to the adjacent street. Things reached a head when LAPD ( the WeHo LA border was a block away) began using plain clothes officers to entrap guys that were lured away from the Alley across the border to LA. The bookstore also employed many guys with AIDS at the height of the crisis when no one else would hire them. Like many of the fixtures of the Gay Community in WeHo it is going away. Our “Gay Village” is disappearing. The place I’ve called home since 1978 is changing and I don’t like it. Here is today’s article from the Los Angeles Times https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/latimes/default.aspx?pubid=50435180-e58e-48b5-8e0c-236bf740270e

[+ Pensant]

God, I loved that place. Another icon bites the dust. When I think of Laguna Beach over 20 years ago— The Boom, Shame on the Moon, Woody’s and Mark’s on PCH, where I hosted a Labor Day dinner in 1997 overshadowed by the Princess’ death in Paris.

[+ Axiom2001]

It seems as if all sorts of bookstores which made a definite impact on various communities are shutting down or are downsizing. The age of technology has made many changes in our lives, some for the better, some for naught!

 

It's too bad all around for those of us who still like to read books and magazines and other related materials.

[+ Charlie]

Unlike the major national chains, the local gay bookstores were social meeting places and sources of materials that places like B&N and Borders wouldn't carry in the old days. I felt the same way as Guy when Giovanni's Room in Philly was finally converted to a used book store. In the 70s, it was the only reliable place to order books for a gay lit course I was teaching.

[+ Gar1eth]

There was a gay bookstore on Capitol Hill in Seattle. I can't remember the name. It was right across from the QFC Grocery Store on Broadway. But it probably closed 10 years or so ago. I didn't go there a lot. But I was sad when I heard it had closed. I bought my copy of Velvet Rage there (I was never able to get past the Introduction).

 

Gman

Edited February 13, 2019 by Gar1eth

[+ friendofsheila]

If we don't support them, they go away.

[+ WilliamM]

@Charlie, according to their website, the new version of Giovanni's Room is still selling new book. I have not been there in years, so will visit soon.

[Epigonos]

Just the mention of Circus of Books brings back many fond memories. During the 80's and 90's it was my major source of gay fiction, skin magazines, and dvd's. I guess its closing is a sign of the time but it is a sign that I don't much like. As I age I see more and more of the shops that were important in my younger day disappearing. For me at least that is sad.

[+ Charlie]

@Charlie, according to their website, the new version of Giovanni's Room is still selling new book. I have not been there in years, so will visit soon.

They still sell some new books, but most of their inventory now is used books, and the focus of the used books is not necessarily gay, since many of the books are donations. I have straight friends who donate books to them regularly.

[+ WilliamM]

They still sell some new books, but most of their inventory now is used books, and the focus of the used books is not necessarily gay, since many of the books are donations. I have straight friends who donate books to them regularly.

 

I agree after looking again. Part of the problem is not being sure what is new without stores like Giovanni's Room. It is particularly difficult for new gay authors. Less of a problem for Alan Hollingsworth.

[+ José Soplanucas]

Chi Chi LaRue's Circus to Open at Iconic West Hollywood Location