BookMonster closes downtown shop

Closed: BookMonster, Santa Monica’s last traditional bookstore, closed its doors on April 3. The BookMonster website where customers can still buy and sell books appeared up and running as of April 11, though Santa Monica was the company’s only U.S. brick and mortar location. Jennifer Taylor, Santa Monica economic development manager, said the City does not have a stand-alone “book store” category in its business licenses, but that Mystic Journey Bookstore and Angel City used books are both still operating in town, in addition to several other niche bookstores, the Santa Monica College book store, thrift stores with book sections and other shops.