Chi Chi LaRue’s in West Hollywood now goes by a new name: Circus of Books West, an expansion of the brand carried by its sister store in East WeHo.
The adult novelty shop located in the Rainbow District dropped the name it shared with its former co-owner, Chi Chi LaRue, a prolific adult film director who departed the company to work on other projects.
Rob Novinger is now the sole owner of both Circus of Books locations. Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
The Circus of Books brand traces its origins to the controversial establishment that opened at 8230 Santa Monica Blvd. in the early 1980s. It became known for selling gay porn and adult toys, as well as its proximity to Vaseline Alley, a popular spot for gay men cruising for sex. The business survived several attempts to shut it down, but declining interest in traditional porn led to its closure in 2019. An eponymous documentary directed by the daughter of the owners became a hit on the film festival circuit, greatly raising the public’s awareness of Circus of Books. The store re-opened as Chi Chi LaRue’s Circus in 2020.
Both Circus of Books locations offer a more upscale selection of books from publishers such as Taschen, along with LGBT-themed gifts and accessories. Both will also feature regular exhibits by LGBT artists like Samuel Hatmaker, whose sex-themed “Art of Legos” show is currently on display.
Novinger likens it to a “sexy cool museum store,” as well as a safe space for the queer community. Novinger is also behind Bar Or, a new incarnation of the former Gold Coast bar on the east side of the city.
While he has seen foot traffic continue to decline on the east side, he is determined to turn things around, igniting new commercial activity with entrepreneurial ventures like Circus of Books and Bar Or.
“I’m trying to rehab the city,” he said.
I fell into ownership of four Creativity books from the 6 Gallery from the 1990s. I guess that was what Chi Chi laRue’s was before it was Chi Chi’s. They are full of community poetry, drawings, etc. I would love to give them ovee to Circus of Books, who might share the historical value and musings with the WeHo community in the 1990s.
Nice name change, but I’d also like to see the inside get a revision that harkens back to the old days as well. It’s too “pristine” inside. I was a frequent customer at Circus of Books back in the 80’s. Guys cruised there and got a lot of hook-ups. I didn’t hook-up for various reasons, but it was a hot vibe. I had occasionally seen celebrities in there – some closeted and some not. I met John Bobbitt there when he made an appearance promoting his porn video. (This is the guy whose wife cut off his penis and he… Read more »
I visited the updated “original” Circus several months ago for the first time. Not having been there before, I took my time wandering through the store and browsing the art/photo books: nice selection. The clerk on duty advised me that the store did not permit browing as that could be done at the library. Haven’t been back since and have no plans to revisit. Hope the clerks at the west Circus location are more customer-friendly.
Those expensive art books are the “cover excuse”anyone who lives a life with someone who would be NOT HAPPY to hear or find out the strings they manipulate the “important person in their lives”need tightening because that person entered a “porn store”
Well “porn & expensive Artsy Coffee Table books’
It won’t be long before they are harassed by their landlords just like Yogurt Stop which is an iconic gay and lesbian establishment of West Hollywood too.
I’ll give Yogurt Stop a lot of credit for sticking around long, but not sure it’s worthy of the “iconic” establishment label. The Factory, Micky’s and The Abbey, definitely. Koontz Hardware, maybe, but Yogurt Stop, probably no.
Yogurt Stop, Iconic?? NOT
“a safe space for the queer community” lol – the entire city is a safe space..get real. Can’t believe they can survive on the blvd. with the cost of rent. I mean, how many books and dildos can you sell to pay the kind of rent they must be paying?!
good grief
“I’m trying to rehab the city” is a nice thought, but there’s something boring and empty about an overly curated store and the usual sexually explicit art, typical of any artist that announces that they’re LGBTQIA+. In some cases, life was much more exciting when there were really dirty bookstores with arcades and bars that weren’t designed with the latest gay decor.
true.
A-men to that!!!