Dvd Planet Super Store
Huge selection of anime. Carries all genres of movies. Good collection of hard-to-find foreign films. This store isn't as exciting as their old store, but it still gives movie lovers something to crow about. The prices aren't overly exorbitant. For the type of store it is, it rates pretty highly on our list.
PROS: Best collection of movies in a retail store
CONS:
Best Buy
I've been to many Best Buy stores and have become used to the lackadaisical attitudes of the clerks. I walked in here to buy PC memory and software, asking myself why the clerks kept asking I needed assistance. Whatever it was, it worked. Brownie points to the best Best Buy in the county!
PROS: Friendly, helpful staff
CONS:
Bodhi Tree Bookstore
The Bodhi Tree has one of the most extensive selections of eastern religious and metaphysical collections in the LA area. They also carry a healthy selection of fiction and nonfiction books. Bodhi Tree even has a reasonably priced used book store around the corner from the main store. Atmosphere is great, relaxed, and absolutely fun to visit.
PROS: Huge selection, relaxed atmosphere
CONS: parking
Econo Lube 'n Tune
Do not get your car serviced here. I made the mistake of coming here once, going to work the next day, and not being able to restart my car. Turns out something got busted in the radiator which they swore they didn't do. And I guess that 's routine when they do a brake job!
PROS:
CONS: Horrible service, mechanics dishonest
Sam Johnson's Bookshop
When I walked into this shop, I was absolutely floored. If you love antiquarian books and first editions, you won't be disappointed. I found 1940s and 50s editions of C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, Chesterton that I haven't seen anywhere else. Some books were a bit high for the subject matter, but most of the older books were priced acceptably. The owner was courteous.
PROS: Cool shop
CONS: Some books were pricey
Benway Music
I walked in here and felt instantly at home. They have a pretty healthy collection of used CDs, an awesome punk music collection, and all kinds of neat collectibles. It's got the charm and atmosphere that the impersonal chain stores could only fleetingly imitate. Reasonably priced, and they carry records too!
PROS: Great selection of punk music, atmosphere
CONS:
Black Oak Books
The used book selection they offer are at times overpriced and just not worth it. If you don't mind the prices, they do have a great literature selection. History and religion section upstairs are good and cover all subjects. Children's section is very weak. The store is big but not as nice as others in the area.
PROS: Excellent literature and fiction sections
CONS: Pricey
Book-Off
This is my favorite Japanese book store. Lots of japanese-language manga for $1.00 per book. Good selection of used English books for cheap, costing no more than $10.00 most of the time for the nicer books. And of course, there are the imported music and movies! This branch has more discounts than the Gardena branch.
PROS: Affordable selection of new japanese language books
CONS:
A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books
I always wanted to come here and finally did on my last trip. I'm really glad. There's a nice remainders and great magazine section. Kids loved it too! One wall is filled with cookbooks. They also have a good stock of books by local authors. It's well worth the stop.
PROS: Nice selection, very pleasant atmosphere
CONS: Parking
Green Apple Books
This is a fantastic used book store! They have treasures I've not seen anywhere else. I found a newly released music CD here that for only $8.99. There is a good graphic novel section and childrens area. The prices are reasonable, clerks are great, and selection is unbeatable. A few doors down, they sell new/used CDs and used/new DVDs. Good magazine rack there too.
