Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Greater LA

    Greater LA

    The Last Bookstore in LA still stands during COVID-19

    During the pandemic, the co-owners of downtown LA’s The Last Bookstore nearly ran out of money, laid off most of their staff, and closed their store.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    Download MP3
    • Share
    Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.By Steve Chiotakis • Oct 21, 2020 • 25m Listen

    During the pandemic, the co-owners of downtown LA’s The Last Bookstore nearly ran out of money, laid off most of their staff, and closed their store. Then they began offering curated book bundles based on customers’ interests, conducting more online sales, and renting out their store for small events. The store is now back open for in-person shopping — at limited capacity and with mask requirements.

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      The Last Bookstore: Sales are down 80% but owners and customers stay optimistic

      The Last Bookstore is back open for in-person shopping — at the limited capacity and with mask requirements.

      Read the story
      7 min
    2. 6:54

      Watching the World Series in-person during the pandemic

      The LA Dodgers won game one of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. At Dodger Stadium, fans stayed in cars to watch the game on big screens in the parking lot.

      Read the story
      9 min
    3. 15:38

      California high school students offer free tutoring to anyone in need around the world

      Tutor Together has 60 tutors who help more than 600 students internationally, says founder Emme Shaffer.

      Read the story
      10 min
    • Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.

      Steve Chiotakis

      Afternoon News Anchor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jenna Kagel

      Radio producer

      NewsCoronavirusBooksBusiness & EconomySports

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:007 min

      The Last Bookstore: Sales are down 80% but owners and customers stay optimistic

    2. 6:549 min

      Watching the World Series in-person during the pandemic

    3. 15:3810 min

      California high school students offer free tutoring to anyone in need around the world

    Back to Greater LA