We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Spencer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For Lost Books in Montrose, we were in the area and stumbled upon the perfect building for a new store during the height of the pandemic when so many other bookstores were declining. But how could we innovate, elevate, and inspire an unforgettable experience so unique that customers will want to come back every day and explore? We wanted to challenge the status quo, redefining how traditional bookstores look and feel. Josh and I are creatives first and entrepreneurs second, so our thought process isn’t always conventional. Josh was most excited to curate the vinyl and build the living tunnel to mirror the book tunnel from our main store in DTLA, The Last Bookstore. I couldn’t wait to work with the artists, incorporate all the plants for sale and the saltwater fish tank, and dive into the local community. Josh and I grew up in Hawaii, so it seemed perfectly natural to cover the ceiling entirely with moss and build an aviary into the bookshelves.

What should our readers know about your work?
Josh and I are dreamers. We talk all day about ideas to get more books, art, and music into the hands of the community and out into the world. It’s our commitment to keeping physical books alive in an increasingly digital world. Big picture: Our sights are set on expanding the bookstores through publishing, artist/media collaborations, and more events. Many people don’t realize this, but we recently opened a fourth bookstore in Honolulu, Hawaii, Josh’s brain-child called Skull-Face Books & Vinyl, catering to everything deep, dark, weird, and hard. It’s small, but it’s wild! More than anything, what we enjoy most is creating spaces that people never want to leave.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has something special for everybody. A few of my favorites:

The Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market is a fun choice for inspiration, nostalgia, and one-of-a-kind finds. We often find cool treasures in stores or in our homes. We score awesome vintage Ts, jewelry and jeans, books, records, plants, and so many hidden treasures, many of which we revamp to sell in our stores.

Descanso Gardens: I’m a nature lover and prefer the outside, so showing off the gardens of LA and the diverse ecosystems and plant species in Descanso Gardens really excites me. The cafe is so cozy, nestled in the gardens, perfect for a lengthy lunch or a 20-minute pop-in. I come here often for lunch with Ana, our manager at Lost, for lunch or a work meeting. Nothing beats talking books and business next to a flowing, sparkly stream with seasonal fragrant flowers bursting all around you. The gardens are 150 acres of wild yet themed gardens (my favorite is the Japanese and rose gardens), and there’s even a mini train for the kids to ride. It’s ideal for a picnic, taking photos, or a relaxing walk around. I love introducing my guests to this softer side of LA because it’s not what they typically expect.

The Last Bookstore
Of course we’re taking our guests to The Last Bookstore! I love to show them the famous book tunnel that Josh’s dad built, the horror vault (did you know you can rent it out for the night and sleep there!?), and the 5,000 sq ft. Annex that houses rare books, 1st editions, and collectibles in glass cases. When we’re downtown, we always stop by Little Llama’s Peruvian Tacos for the authentic flavors and exotic gluten-free options. We enjoy sitting in their cute, outdoor patio. If you’re a foodie, another lunch spot favorite is Yuko Kitchen, which is about a block from the store. Yuko was behind the magical plant tunnel at Lost Books – and her restaurant is just as special.

Amoeba
We love taking guests to Amoeba, the world’s largest record store! Our guests are always inspired, as are we. You’ll always find a great album or poster- plus, they have an impressive little book section that’s very interesting to browse. Lots of art books.

Ford Theatre: The Ford is the best for summer entertainment under the stars, surrounded by nature. Tucked away in the Hollywood Hills, this boutique open-air theater has fewer than 1,200 seats, with the farthest seat only 96 feet from the stage, so it feels extra private and intimate. I saw Dolly Parton perform there, and it was unforgettable!

Sunset Ranch: Saving the best for last, the Horseback Sunset Trail at Sunset Ranch is my absolute favorite for my nature loving guests in LA. Splurging for the private tour isn’t much more expensive and is entirely worth it. The horseback tour begins near the iconic Hollywood sign, then takes you over the hills just as the sun sets, finally arriving in Burbank. Here, you enjoy the best Mexican meal and margaritas in town. Riding the trail back to Hollywood through the hills under the starry sky, you feel transported back in time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our local next-door neighbors: Black Cow (best comfort food), Nix Marie (cozy basics and cute gifts), Robotics (your eight-year-old will beg to go!), and Portabello’s (best Italian pasta around (they have gluten-free options, too!), The T Room (Step back in time and be transported to an English cottage. You’re served tea and tiny sandwiches by the sweetest ladies you’ve ever met) and finally, Once Upon A Time Children’s book store, the oldest children’s bookstore in the nation, is located just 4 doors down from our store.

Spring Street Cafe: If you get hungry while shopping for books at The Last Bookstore, visit a secret little gem and staff favorite lcoated on the 9th floor above the bookstore. You step off the elevator to a lofty vibe with a breakfast and lunch menu that will have you coming back on the daily. This is another great place for business meetings or just a chill place with a cool view to sit, talk, or read.

Pricing:
Similarly to The Last Bookstore downtown, you’ll find Lost Books offers a new and used selection, including rare and unique titles starting at just $3. We intentionally let more valuable books slip through the cracks once in a while to stoke out our customers. There’s no better feeling than scoring a $50 book for $5. We think so, anyway.

Contact information:

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.