Larchmont Chronicle Story Archive

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

December 31, 2009

CHEVALIER'S TO MARK 70TH YEAR

Jane Gilman

TURNING SEVENTY. Sue Otto and Filis Winthrop at Larchmont Village's venerable institution, Chevalier's Books.

Best-selling books when Joe Chevalier opened his store on Larchmont Blvd. in 1940 were "The Grapes of Wrath" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Now, 70 years later, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo leads the list of best sellers.

Marking the anniversary are current co-owners of the bookstore, Filis Winthrop and Sue Otto. The store will celebrate its 70-year milestone with champagne and hors d’ouevres on Fri., Jan 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the store.

Joe Chevalier opened the store bearing his name in 1940 on Beverly Blvd. between Middletown Drug and Horne’s Pet Shop. It was primarily a rental bookshop with cards and a few books. Several years later Chevalier’s Books moved to 239 N. Larchmont Blvd. as a full-fledged bookstore. It also stocked greeting cards, stationery and desk accessories with a sales staff of four.

He moved the bookstore to its present location at 136 N. Larchmont Blvd. in 1975.Linda Friedman, Gilpin Netburn and Winthrop purchased the bookstore from Chevalier in 1990. They added a space directly north of the store for a children’s book section.

A free story hour now delights youngsters every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The staff includes Elizabeth Newstat and Norman Dixon. Weekly book signings at the shop showcase local authors.
The owners also initiated a Grandparents and Kids Book Club, and expanded the cookbook department. “Now, it’s one of the largest cookbook stores in the city,” Sue Otto said.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

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Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.