{"id":259707,"date":"2026-04-09T18:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259707\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T18:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:02:18","slug":"planet-books-is-moving-for-the-second-time-in-5-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259707\/","title":{"rendered":"Planet Books is moving for the second time in 5 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

small business<\/a><\/p>\n

The beloved shop is asking for help to move its inventory of more than 250,000 books over the next few weeks.<\/p>\n


\n \"Alicia
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

\"Planet
\n Planet Books owner James Rappaport, left, and manager Argyl Houser are preparing to move the used book shop to a new location in Signal Hill. Photo by Alicia Robinson.<\/p>\n

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As Planet Books closes in on its 30th anniversary, the voluminous used bookstore in Signal Hill is starting a new chapter in a new location.<\/p>\n

Luckily, it\u2019s right around the corner, because relocating is a massive undertaking that requires packing, moving and then unpacking hundreds of thousands of hardcovers, paperbacks, pamphlets and more.<\/p>\n

Planet Books first opened in 1998 on Anaheim Street in Long Beach and moved to its current spot on Freeman Avenue in Signal Hill about five years ago, store manager Argyl Houser said. He and owner James Rappaport have spent several months looking for a new location, after learning their landlord sold the property and that the new owner wanted their cavernous warehouse space.<\/p>\n

They found what they needed just blocks away: the former Johnnie\u2019s Appliances on Redondo Avenue just north of PCH. Unlike the current location, the new shop has a parking lot and working bathrooms. With slightly more square footage, the space should fit an inventory Rappaport estimates between 250,000 and 300,000 books.<\/p>\n

\"\"Planet Books will take over the former Johnnie’s Appliances on Redondo Avenue, just blocks from its current location, and should reopen in early May. Photo by Alicia Robinson.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to find spaces for used bookstores because they just don\u2019t make that much money,\u201d Houser said, adding that their rent will more than double. But they\u2019re glad to have a lease signed and they hope to open the new store on or around May 1.<\/p>\n

The book business is a dream job for Houser, who said he grew up \u201cscrounging around in dusty old bookstores.\u201d He and Rappaport became friends after repeatedly running into each other at author events, signings and book sales.<\/p>\n

While reading isn\u2019t as popular a pastime as it used to be, Houser said the shop has had “tremendous\u201d community support, with dozens of people calling to ask about the move and offering to help.<\/p>\n

Rappaport is glad the store will remain in Signal Hill because \u201cit\u2019s a small town within a big city,\u201d and he can feel the community spirit, he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Planet Books owner James Rappaport stands in his store’s former Long Beach location Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Photo by Brandon Richardson.<\/p>\n

He loves finding rare and unique items, including sports memorabilia and antique toys, that will help the shop make money, but he also donates books to fire victims, homeless shelters, schools and other readers in need. Running the store offers him an invaluable personal relationship with other book lovers, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is for the store,\u201d Rappaport said. \u201cI want people to say, \u2018Oh, Planet Books \u2014 they\u2019ve got great stuff.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Planet Books will be closed until the new location opens at 1819 Redondo Ave. Volunteers to help with packing are welcome, and anyone interested can call the store at 562-985-3154, connect through its Instagram<\/a> or Facebook<\/a> accounts, or show up at 1855 Freeman Ave. daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

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