Family

Family is an intensely curated bookstore. While it doesn’t have «all of the comics» all of their comics are good.

Great selection of independent and self-​published work. Staff was really kind. The only bad part was that I couldn’t find any signage and probably walked past it a few times before I finally looked at the numbers.

I’ve loved this place since I worked across the street the first month or so that they opened. Now that I live in the bay area it is rare when I get to hang out there for more than a few moments at a time but it is always on my go visit list when I make it down to LA. Solid.

When I walked in I was a little confused. (Well, that’s nothing new.)
I read, «Family» and I immediately thought it was a kids’ book store. I love illustration, so I thought I’d check it out.
As I poured through books, zines and compilations of art and poetry, and I quickly realized that it’s a great little book shop that features the work of independent artists and poets of various stripes (Some of the books are even hand-​made — Fort Thunder style!) The lady of the desk said a friendly «Hello» to let me know she was there, but other wise she left me to my own devices to dig through the stacks. (It’s tough to read
I wan’t disappointed at all. There were lots of engaging illustrated books and comics to enjoy.
I came dangerously close to taking home a BIG David Wojnarowicz book. I went home with a Julie Doucet book that fit in my bag. Her wildly-​styled comics are engrossing!
I was so focussed on the books, I hadn’t noticed the art gallery in the back.
I’ll have to return to check out one of their openings!

This is such a wonderful place: art press printing, unusual poetry, zines, all the books you simply can’t find anywhere else. I come here every time I’m in Los Angeles and sometimes I come to Los Angeles just to come here.
Once I found a volume of Walter Benjamin’s «unpublished» works — his commentary on the 20^th c. Too much fun to be had here.

Im not sure why this place pops up when one searches «vinyl records.» They have 20, maybe 25 records for sale here. Youd be able to put them all in your backpack. If youre looking for records, this probably isnt worth the hassle of trying to find parking in this area. Theres so few records, the clerk would probably read off the titles to you over the phone if you called.
The art gallery/​room in the back was cool and the books looked interesting though

I thought this place was super fabu! I’d never noticed it before (can you tell I’m not a big west-​side goer???) But upon walking back from the Supreme boardshop, I happened to notice the sandwich board outside that said «Ian Svenonius» on it (I’m a big fan) and made a beeline into the store. I love love LOVE teeny bookshops like this one! Full of records (okay, not that many…), zines and GREAT books; I can’t wait to go back. The owner was super nice, too; told us that Mr. Svenonius is going to be doing a reading there soon, so super BIG SMILES!!!

Itty Bitty Artsy Gem,
This quaint little store is stocked with a unique selection of books, artists and zines you might not find at larger sellers. Even though the store is small, they have something for everyone… they even have a mini art gallery in the back.
Ashi was super friendly and knowledgeable — I was a first time browser of Family, so she showed me a few of her personal in-​store favorites, and helped me pick out a pretty amazing book.
A great place to check out if you’re looking to spend a night reading something different.

family currently has a pop-​up shop at moca at the geffen contemporary that is a part of the AV: tranmission club exhibition curated by mike d. from the beastie boys. sponsored (heavily, i would say) by mercedes benz, there’s some great art going on over at the temporary contemporary.
and family is the perfect fit as an exhibition bookshop. they have four picnic tables laid out with an excellently curated selection of books, including a lot of high quality zines and chapbooks from the arts community. i had a great time browsing the books and it made me want to go back and visit their brick and mortar store on fairfax. the small press offerings are so good… so inticing…

Small. Cramped. Random overpriced books with incoherent poems, plots, and pictures… I think I can pass.
I think this «book» store is overrated. Before you accuse me as a hater of the arts, I love all the art museums and I generally enjoy these types of stores. However, the vibe here is off, and the workers seems uninterested and would often leave the store to take a smoke outside. When you call a place «family» I expect, friendly, and insightful customer service. Not some smug employee who doesn’t seem to care.
Maybe I am being too harsh on all this «hipster» book store but honestly, I rather save my $ 15 for a random picture book and use it on something worthwhile. An underwhelming «art» experience overall. Meh.

Simply put, this place is just rad!

A bookstore named «Family» naturally creates visions of a loving family seated in a cozy living room with a roaring fire reading books. Well, stop thinking of that American lovey-​dovey image. Family Bookstore is more like the family you know: dysfunctional, annoying, and rude.
Family looks like the gift shop of a museum or art gallery (minus the cheap trinkets like pens and postcards) meaning it contains art books, music books, and plain-​old «this is art?» books. Even the layout is reminiscent of an art gallery versus a bookstore. Basically, you can certainly find a special book your artsy or pretentious hipster friend will drool over. Prices are a bit steep but worth it if you are looking for an item that Barnes & Noble or Borders would never carry.
The major problem with Family is the service. One would think that since I wear vintage and have ink on my arms, I would not receive the stink eye from the hipster owners/​employees. The (I’m assuming) owner couple didn’t welcome any of the customers and were too busy talking about the male employee’s mixed CD he was creating on his Mac. This is a small neighborhood shop where I expect courteous, friendly, service. I thought it was called FAMILY?!
On my way out, I asked for a business card and the girl states with an attitude that «We don’t have one but you can sign the mailing list» and shoves a clipboard in my hands without my consent. I reply that I am not interested in the mailing list, I just wanted a business card. She continues the attitude and sharply snaps, «Why? For what?». Ummmmm duh! I tell her for the business hours and whatnot. She AGAIN snaps back, «The hours are on the door». Really?! REALLY!!! This really is like family. she must be the evil step-​sister. Neighborhood shops need to take note and realize that they have to treat their FEW customers with respect. They aren’t Target and won’t survive being jerks.
Skip this family reunion and head elsewhere. The service isn’t worth their «arsty» books.

My favorite bookstore in Los Angeles. It carries a great array of art, music, movies, comics, and zines that are hard to come by. Love that they had some hand printed zines by Gary Panter recently. The events they hold, and their art gallery also makes this place feel like a family :)
You can’t go wrong here. Also a good place to go if you want to troll around with the hipster crowd: P or get tickets to fyf fest.

If I were to open a book store tis is how I’d do it. This is a perfect one-​stop-​shop full of underground DIY art books, contemporary literature, and music culture .
Everything from limited edition art zines and small press artist series books to photography books and a great literature section chalk full of underground, counterculture, and classics from Brautigan, Bukowski, the beats, as well as Mcsweeny’s and even NY Times Best sellers (the creative ones) Dave Eggers, etc. They have a great selection of arty dvd’s and records as well. I was extremely happy to have found a little gem like this in LA. Its small but Fierce! The stock is always changing so if you see something you like grab it while you can! Family books is an inspiring little spot. Go check it!
Thanks Family! Keep On Truckin’!

A good place to browse for your fave zines/​graphic novels and art shite. I found this that I’ve been searching for for ages.
Also right across from a famous the famous deli/​restaurant!

Between the Ben Jones artwork in their advertisements and the Ron Rege, Jr.-designed siganage out front, if you know your independent and self-​published comics, art, lit, and other publishing, this is the store for you.
Family’s proprietor curates an impressive selection of minicomics and zines, comics and graphic novels, art books, and even literature, largely riffing off the Fort Thunder, Paper Rad, Drawn & Quarterly, Kramer’s Ergot, and McSweeney’s sensibilities.
Not as art damaged as Print Matters in New York City, not as comic shoppy as Meltdown, and certainly not a general interest book store, Family will be appreciated by fans of The Secret Headquarters — and feel like home for photocopy kids escaping from art school.
They’ve had a hard week, between a power outage, flooding caused by construction damage door, and someone swiping a window decal, so go and show your support. They’re, you know, Family.

A year ago we were in LA and stopped in at this little t-​shirt shop on Echo Park (forgot the name) and tooter got a green t-​shirt that she loved. The tag said «Family Book store» so we looked it up and finally made it there last weekend.
The place kicks butt. I was in Tokyo last fall and aaaaalmost bought a copy of Here and There magazine, but for some reason put it back on the shelf. I regretted it ever after. But miraculously, Family had that exact issue! Fantastic.
They also have a lot of other great stuff. If you are into Nieves items, they’ve got a ton of it.
Price range depends on your level of self control. In my case, after about 30 minutes browsing the store I had grabbed $ 110 worth of stuff, and it would have been more if I hadn’t forced myself to leave.

Where else can you get a copy of Susperia, graphic novels, a copy of The Maysles Scrapbook and various Brothers Quay dvds?!
Family is a wonderful store. It is evident how mucht thought and consideration goes into each item offered here.

Amazing bookstore. Great selection of literature (Nabokov, Sedaris), art books (i fucking love Taschen books), and other intriguing items that will have you wasting countless hours (well maybe just) browsing away.
My perfect day begins with a half-​pastrami/​corned beef sandwich at Canter’s, picking up some fresh gear at Supreme, Flight Club or any of the other great shops in the area and buying a book or two at Family. Later on when I’m lounging in my arm chair with some fresh Blazers on my feet and a copy of Master and Margarita I know that everything is going to be a-​okay.

I stumbled upon Family randomly last night and instantly fell in love. If I wasn’t broke, it would’ve been no problem at all to drop several hundred dollars here… maybe more. Despite the brokeness, I couldn’t help buying a book anyway, I was itching after looking at only half the store to make a purchase, and an independent gem of a store like Family is well worth giving your money to. I wish I’d had more to spend.
Family unpretentiously offers an extensive, intriguing, beckoning collection of merchandise: comix, zines, noise CDs and vinyl, art prints, art books, serious books, funny books, exciting-​looking DVDs (some familiar, some not, some extremely expensive). Because so many books, especially the art books, are a very limited run, they can be expensive, which was unfortunate, but understandable. I’m admittedly not very cool, so a ton of authors and artists were unfamiliar to me, but it was easy to immediately trust the curators’ selections, and everything looked interesting. Despite my lack of cool, I in no way felt judged or snubbed, which was a nice change. It’s the kind of store where you want to give EVERYTHING a try, and you know all of it is worth your attention. I kept calling to my friend to show him new things; he was also awed by the store.
Seriously, I can’t explain how great I think Family is. Please go, and give them your money. It would be a huge loss for LA if the store couldn’t make it.