Paris Chong chats with Lee Kaplan, the owner of Arcana Books, about the evolution of the independent bookselling scene in Los Angeles. Lee shares the story behind starting his iconic store in 1984, operating initially from a small one-bedroom apartment in Westwood, and explains the strategic reasoning behind choosing the name "Arcana" to stand out in the pre-internet Yellow Pages. Throughout their conversation, they reflect on how the industry has shifted over the last four decades, the disappearance of many historic and metaphysical bookstores, and Lee’s personal journey of building a long-lived, all-consuming business with passion and energy.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Lee Kaplan
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios
