open

I miss Open Books, but there’s something funny about the header on this Unilocal page now.
«open — CLOSED»
It’s like a little bit of Sesame Street nostalgia blended in with the nostalgia of having this bookstore in my neighborhood.

Very happy to have this bookstore in the neighborhood! There’s something for everyone here.

Love all the stores on Retro Row…

Bethany S. and I came here in a quest for abundant cheap reading material. This little bookstore is very tidy, with a $ 1 book section in the front, and then areas sorted by fiction genres and non-​fiction topics. I got a good laugh out of their «horror» shelf, which had Stephen King, Stephenie Meyer, Neal Stephenson, and Mary Shelley all shelved together. The selection here does have some of your run-​of-​the-​mill trade paperbacks, but a lot of it leans more towards classics or more obscure things. So it didn’t really serve our particular purpose. However, there seems to be good support for local authors and artists. And there are some neat vintage prints and sheet music and vinyl available for purchase.

I spent a whole lot of time in here– but I didn’t really find any books that caught my attention. Instead I bought prints and sheet music. I loved it in here– it was super fun and it had a lot of small things here and there that caught my attention. I would have rated it with a 4 star BUT I really didn’t find any books that seemed interesting. I would rather buy my used books at a Goodwill– which has a larger selection and cheaper prices. However with that said, they do have their shelves in sections, which was very helpful. I would recommend popping in while shopping on Retro Row– but not really for finding actual good used books.

When I moved into the neighboorhood this is one of the first places I explored. I’ve come to find its the perfect place to peruse and find a few gems in a super laid back environment. I always find something that catches my eye whether it be a book, magazine or record. And to top it off the staff is always super friendly and helpful! It really is a book worms paradise. Maybe a little locals only vibe, but not any more than the rest of Retro Row.

There’s not a whole lot of used bookstores in Orange County, so considering that, I’m grateful for this little gem. Open is located right in the middle of the section of 4^th Street in Long Beach nicknamed, Retro Row, which is quite possibly the hippest neighborhood in all of Southern California!
The vibe in here is really nice, with local art and covers of vinyls and scattered chairs throughout. The literature section is so-​so, but the cooler stuff for casual browsing come up as you walk further into the store. The shelves dedicated to the arts are pretty nice, with a particularly nice art-​biography section and a theater section. In the back room there are lots of to-​be-​shelved items, as well as some interesting travel writing.
Overall, there are no specialties about this collection, but it is a pretty good shop on the whole. Prices are slightly on the high side, with the cheapest books seeming to start around $ 5 to $ 8. The layout is nice and makes for inviting browsing and hanging around. Considering the dearth of indie used bookstores in Orange County, this is a pretty decent spot to have around.

This place is neat. Though the selection is small, the general variety is interesting.
I live local, which means I drop in here and there. Love some of the children’s books. They are primarily from my childhood, which means that even if I do not buy them, I smile when I see them.
They also carry some local comics and books. Things from nearby authors and artists. Besides which, Edgar Allen Poe is on the sidewalk outside. If that doesn’t make you want to go in, I’m not sure what will!

One stormy floody winter day, my old roommate and I were bored and ventured to Viento y Agua and then on to Open to peruse the lovely selection.
$ 25 dollars later, I walked out with 3 second edition books by F. Scott Fitzgerald. SECOND EDITION!!! In prestene condition. Needless to say, I was beyond excited
Any time I’m in the 562, I end up here. You really never know what you’re going to find. :)

Randomly went shopping with my friend who lives almost directly across the street and walked into this store. I was looking for old books for a gift and was pleasantly surprised with their selection. They have a variety of topics, all organized. Ended up finding a perfect book for the gift so I left pleased. The price I paid for the book I bought was good but looking through some others, they were a bit high.
Overall, really cool spot and I’m all for independent bookstores.

I agree with the previous Unilocal reviews on this place. I want to like Open but, after giving Open another try I was still unimpressed. The location is in a great area. There are some indie vintage clothing stores on the same street and Portfolio coffee house across the way which draws an awesome crowd of young people into Open. Although the layout and product of this store is inviting with its decent collection of books/​DVDs/​Music/​Local art/​nicknacks, the customer service is just not up to par.
I came in here one day before looking for a book to pass the time at work. I mentioned this to the service clerk and told him the names of a few books I had enjoyed reading hoping for some recommendations, he kind of just shrugged his shoulders and left my invitation for book suggestions fall flat. No one else was in the store and he didn’t look preoccupied with any other tasks.
The prices for the books are slightly high for a used bookstore. I’ve had a lot more luck purchasing cheaper bestseller books at the local Goodwill store to be honest. I’m willing to pay more for a used book if the atmosphere and service is better, but I just didn’t leave feeling satisfied with my $ 8 used short story book.
One other disappointment was that I left a message last week inquiring if they bought used books (since they sell them) and if they would please call me back. Still waiting to hear back…

Cute little neighborhood used book shop. I think it’s better to come in here and discover things rather than hope to find something specific. It’s nicely organized and «curated» (seems an apt term). I picked up a couple of newish titles in hardcover I’d been meaning to read (Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao & Mystic River) – they were in nice condition and weren’t super cheap, but not outrageous, either. I don’t mind paying a little more to support a neighborhood business. Also liked their collection of hand-​pulled art prints and t-​shirts. I’ll definitely be a repeat customer.

I’m going to reiterate what a lot of Unilocalers have stated: Open is the kind of place you want to like but they just don’t give you any reason to.
Sure it’s a cutesy indie book store in the retro part of Long Beach but they sell used books at new prices. They actually had something I was willing to buy for once but it was $ 17 for a book that is still in print. No thanks.
Maybe the high cost is for people to feel validated because they’re adding to their indie cred but I will stick to Amazon.

I love OPEN. Sort of reminds me of the independent book stores in Bellingham. One nearly on every corner. Just like supporting a independent coffee house one should support an independent book store.
The selection is decent and the staff helpful. I popped in to drop of flyers recently and ended up looking around for a book. The guy that was working the counter looked up the author for me whom I collect Francoise Sagan. I misplaced her first book «Bonjour Tristesse ». Unfortunately, OPEN did not have it but I was told that they always get in new/​old stuff in here so that I may check in again soon. He did however find «The Wonderful Clouds». $ 15 sort of pricey for a used/​vintage book. But, once again I am supporting a local book store and not some chain. All though Borders is still good. One has to stop and think also of the fact that OPEN is carrying hard to find books as well. It’s not everyday that you can find a Francoise Sagan book. They had a little stage in the rear of the store. Thinking they may do open mic/​readings.
Another reason why one should come to OPEN is that it is on 4TH street. Portfolio (coffee shop) is just up the street with tons of vintage boutiques. Fun stuff and then there is the ART theater a old theater and OH the wine shop. Two in fact on 4^th!

I heart {Open}.
This crazy little book store is awesome. They have local authors and artist’s work and can locate just about any book ever created within a few days, and with no extra fees. Believe me, I’ve given them a few out of print titles no one else has ever heard of it and they’ve delivered each one without a blink.
Sure, Borders may be able to order books (sometimes) — but I feel like these guys actually care… about books, about their customers and the community.

This bookstore is super cute.
All the books are way cheap.
They’ve got vinyl.
The only thing is that the book collection is very dated.
I kinda wanted an independent bookstore that had more current books.
They had some fucking awesome ass typewriters and old camera’s for sale.
I probably wont go back unless its for a book signing or opening. I didn’t even have to sit on my hands so as not to buy anything. I just wasn’t interested in anything. This never ever happens.

So I call and ask for a book — they don’t have it, but can order it. Great!
I go down to the store, tell ‘em what book I want, pay, and It’s ordered.
I am told it will be in on Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. This being Friday, I think, «Cool… I would rather pay a bit more and wait a day more to give my money to a local independent than to order on Amazon».
Tuesday comes, no phone call.
Wednesday comes, no phone call.
Friday I go in, not in yet.
NEXT Thursday comes, not in yet.
Two weeks pass, still waiting on my book.
Seriously?
It’s now in stores almost everywhere… I saw it at Ralph’s in their little end cap display of books… but since I already paid for it at Open… I’m not going to buy it elsewhere.
WTF?! Where is my book?

Now that Acres is gone {Open} is without a doubt the best book store in Long Beach. May they remain in business for 80 years.
Great selection. Great shows. Excellent staff.

In addition to being a wonderfully curated bookstore, {open} is my favorite place in Long Beach (heck, maybe even all of Los Angeles) to see live music. Shows are small (2 – 3 performances at most) and reasonably priced ($ 5 donations).
The environment is comfortable and there are rotating monthly art installations of different disciplines. In general the selection (art, books, music) is small but well chosen. Oftentimes you will happen upon something that looks interesting and can check in with Shea or Se (the co-​owners) to find out more.
Also, with two children of my own, I want to mention that there is a good children’s book section and a comic book rack for kids of all ages. {open} is a fine place for well behaved kids to go.
You will not find everything you want here but if you come in with a long list and open mind you can find what you need (whether you knew it or not).

Open is the kind of place I want to love, because there’s nothing NOT to love: it’s an independent bookstore that sells used books on good topics, they also sell some music and I know they have performances by local artists, including avant garde stuff most people hate, and they sell a bit of art, too. The new location is on the trendy vintage 4^th St. corridor — the sign’s in the window, not on the building, it’s next to the photographer’s. Easy to miss.
Yet I went today and just didn’t find anything. I didn’t look at everything — I was trying to find a present — but at their former, larger location I know I saw more that I wanted. Maybe I wasn’t giving the store a fair chance; it was really stuffy and I badly had to pee… but when I walked out empty-​handed I felt a little befuddled, because I just KNEW I was supposed to like the store more. I want to go back to they can fulfill my expectations, so I can update this review, so I can experience the joy other Unilocalers have.