Midnight Special Bookstore

The Midnight Special Bookstore was an independent bookstore in southern California. It catered to a leftist clientele.[3][4] Its merchandise and events emphasized current events such as the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War,[5] the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,[6] the Chinese democracy movement[7] and U.S. intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq.[8]

Midnight Special Bookstore
TypePrivate
IndustryRetail
Genrefocus on left-wing politics
FoundedVenice, California, United States (1970 (1970))
DefunctJune 2, 2004 (2004-June-02)[1]
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Santa Monica, California
,
United States
Number of locations
1
Key people
Margie Ghiz, final owner[2]
Productsbook retailer
Websitewww.msbooks.com (defunct)

History

Founded in 1970 as a co-op in Venice,[3] the shop "was run predominantly by volunteers" until around 1985.[5]

In 1980[5] it moved from Venice to 1350 Third Street [9] (also known as 1350 Santa Monica Mall[10]) in Santa Monica, then in 1992[5] moved again to 1318 Third Street Promenade.[11][12] For more than ten years, the mall's landlord charged the shop less rent than other tenants were paying,[13] but with a change in management and success in attracting upscale tenants, the mall operator asked for an increase that would "more than double"[2] the rent. For this reason, the bookstore moved out of its Third Street location in March 2003.[4] Its stock was kept in storage for eight months. In November 2003,[8][14][15] the store reopened at 1450 Second Street[16][17][18] in Santa Monica, then finally closed around June 2, 2004.[1] Its owner cited weak sales and continuing financial difficulties as the reason for closing:

Unfortunately, the delay was too great and our debts grew with the delays. Only local outlets of major chains can afford the losses that come with opening stores; even though our sales were steadily growing, it was not fast enough to keep us going until we could sustain ourselves.[1]

Authors who appeared at the shop:

Among other people who made appearances at the shop were filmmakers Robert Greenwald[22] and Oliver Stone,[5] actor David Warshofsky,[22] Elaine Brown of the Black Panther Party, UCLA professor Khaled Abou El Fadl; and musicians Dave Marsh, Jello Biafra, Frank Zappa[5] and Ray Manzarek.[25]

References
  1. "The Midnight Special Says Goodbye and Thank You". Archived from the original on June 7, 2004. Retrieved 2013-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. Tawa, Renee (2003-02-21). "Midnight Special Bookstore going; but where? – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  3. "Last Chapter for an Iconic Bookstore – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2004-05-09. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  4. Al Martinez (2003-03-07). "A poignant farewell to a radical refuge – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  5. "History of the Midnight Special Bookstore". Archived from the original on June 19, 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. Haithman, Diane (1994-09-10). "Mideast Pact Adds Meaning to Tonight's 'Voices' Program – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  7. Miller, Michelle M. (1989-06-08). "Crisis in China Translates Into New Reader Interest – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  8. "Everlovin' Lights Are Back On at Midnight Special | Bookselling This Week". News.bookweb.org. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  9. Jake Doherty (2007-09-03). "WESTLAKE : Pictures Worth a Thousand Vacuums". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  10. "Novelists to Appear at Santa Monica Bookstore Sunday – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 1987-08-28. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  11. "BRIEFLY : Politics: Speech on N. Ireland Conflict – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 1994-03-10. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  12. "Midnight Special Bookstore Santa Monica". Citysearch.
  13. "Customers Rally Around the Store as Midnight Special Announces Upcoming Move | Bookselling This Week". News.bookweb.org. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  14. "Santa_Monica_News_Midnight Special Bookstore Opens New Chapter". Surfsantamonica.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  15. "Midnight Special Bookstore to Close Its Doors | Bookselling This Week". News.bookweb.org. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  16. "Midnight Special Bookstore". 2004-06-29. Archived from the original on June 29, 2004. Retrieved 2013-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. "Midnight Special Bookstore – Santa Monica, California – Yahoo! Travel". Travel.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  18. "Midnight Special Book Store in Santa Monica | Midnight Special Book Store (310) 393-2923 & 1450 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | – Yahoo! US Local". Local.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  19. "Final Event at Midnight Special". LAObserved. 2004-11-04. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  20. "Little press shines with star power – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2004-03-03. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  21. "Viggo Mortensen > Midnight Special Bookstore". Chucks888.freeservers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  22. "Goodnight Midnight". Archived from the original on June 7, 2004. Retrieved 2013-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. "Tavis Smiley to Sign, Discuss 'Hard Left' – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 1996-08-17. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  24. "Horowitz to Discuss Life as a Reporter – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2001-09-27. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  25. "From The Vault weblog archives for July, 2011". Retrieved 2013-01-28.

34.0136°N 118.4962°W / 34.0136; -118.4962

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