826LA & The Echo Park Time Travel Mart

Located on Sunset Boulevard, the Echo Park Time Travel Mart is a quirky storefront stocked with humorous novelty items like robot milk, canned dinosaur eggs, and time-travel emergency kits. Behind its playful retail operation, the store serves as a creative hub for 826LA, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students develop creative and expository writing skills. All proceeds from store purchases directly fund free writing workshops, tutoring, and publishing programs for Los Angeles youth.

History

826LA is a non-profit organization founded in 2005, and The Echo Park Time Travel Mart is one of its unique fronts, designed to ignite the imagination while serving the community. This concept was established by author Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari as part of a network of such spaces aimed to inspire young writers.

Expert notes

• Check their calendar for special events and workshops.
• Consider volunteering to support their mission in educating young writers.

Features

• Community programs
• Educational events
• Unique souvenirs
• Writing workshops