Wacko
Categories: Toy Stores, Cards & Stationery [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hollywood4633 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 663-0122
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Thu 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
207 Reviews for Wacko
So I wanted to be a good girlfriend and get my boyfriend a great present for his new place. What could I get him? A George Foreman Grill (because let's face it, it's a must have for all single guys), a year's supply of air freshner (because sometimes guy's apartments do get a little smelly) or something really cool from Wacko. I'd heard so many great things about Wacko I decided to try it out. Boy am I glad I did!!! Wacko is like a freak wonderland. I saw so many freaky, cool, off the wall things in there. I was like a kid in a candy store. I know I spent over an hour looking at the books alone. They have a great assortment of candles, knicknacks and unusual novelties. Their book selection is the bomb. I ended up getting him some cool candles and a couple of coffee table books. There is this one book, "Everything You Know About Sex Is Wrong" is amazing and he loved it. Thank you Wacko for helping me pick out a great housewarming present!
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Perfect place to waste an afternoon in. And there's even an art gallery inside! When I needed a to buy a ton of whacked out Jesus paraphernalia for a friend, this was my first and only stop.
My only gripe is this place can sometimes be a little pricey. I'm from Chicago where we have a place very similar called Uncle Fun. So I can't help but compare the two; and price is the only area where Wacko falls a little short. Every now and then I feel like I'm overpaying, but given the vast array of merchandise to choose from, it's a small price to pay.
Let's face it, sometimes you need a book of 40's crime scene photos, a Mexican Luchadore mask and a KISS-shaped incense holder, but you only want to stop once. Well, this place might be able to hook you up. And here's a last second impulse buy for you. What is it? Why it's tarot cards made of gum, silly!
Those of you with friends who fall into the, "you'd like to get them a present while expending zero effort and forethought in doing so," category, and let's face it, this is ninety percent of people, would do well to come here. Over the years this place has kept me tenuously associated with numerous people whose names I can barely recall. Tons of books, sculptures, action figures, pirate flags and wind-up robots densely packed into a brightly-lit store with an art gallery inside it.
What's a reasonable price for a squeaking rubber cockroach? That's right, you have no idea and neither do I. So don't bother shopping around, just get the one Wacko has.
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Wacko is GREAT. Honestly, the ultimate store for buying really unique gifts that the receiver will truly Love...and for buying yourself a little something to make you smile! The book selection is truly amazing...so many avant garde art titles that I could literally spend days looking at them all. If I had more money, I certainly would have bought nearly every book they sell by now.
There is also a pretty amazing gallery in the store that features paintings/art pieces by some great and up and coming artists. I've seen work by many quite famous 'low brow' artists, such as Tim Biskup, for sale there.
Only one warning when it comes to Wacko...be prepared to spent AT LEAST an hour perusing their enormous selection of off beat merchandise!
160 out of 199 reviewers gave 5 stars, that explains all.
So artsy, so unique. I can spend hours here. I think there's a reason
they don't have chairs inside the store... if they did, people wouldn't leave.
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Seriously wacko, this is the most interesting shop I've seen in LA, kind of like an Aah's but times a hundred. The books are fascinating, the toys and such are totally unique, and the artwork inside is quite good. The prices are standard, so don't expect bargains. If you're looking for an interesting gift for the edgy hipster or the artsy type, you could do no wrong here. They even have unique (in the truest sense of that word) gift-wrapping paper and cards to seal the deal.
I take away one star because it smelled like incense inside. There's nothing I hate more than incense (except maybe B.O.)
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I love Wacko's.
Whenever I'm stumped over what gift to get for a friend, no matter what the occasion, I come to Wacko's.
The specialty book section is impressive. The toys are vintage replicas or pure kitsch. There's art, postcards, stationery, home accessories, tchotchkes, purses/bags, & a ton more.
If you're looking for that little gift you can't find at the mall, head over to Wacko's - it's fail proof.
This store is one of a kind. They sell all of the craziest, unique, wacky toys that you won't find anywhere else. If you got buddies out of town visiting you, take them here!
Oh, and just be careful if you bring younger kids in here. They have a lot of adult material and adult artwork, so if you're not comfortable with that, then take precaution!
Have one of those friends who always have the coolest hard to find things and now you have to get that person a gift? WACKO.
Seriously this place has some really great stuff. A good friend of mine is now a criminalist and I found the perfect gift for her. A crime scene book! YEAH!
I dig this place.
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Common sense is obliterated here. We spent about an hour and a half perusing their completely off the wall, wonderfully weird collection of stuff that you want to want to drop your hard earned cash on, but really have no practical use for. For example..
$2 shiney cutesy sushi and hamster stickers
$5 underwear refrigerator magnets
$12 coffee table book of tiny, pixelated celebrities
$0.30 doremon plastic figurine
$10 Jesus action figure
$40 warhol-esque lucha libre messenger bag
money I saved by begrudgingly saying to myself, no.. I don't really need that even though it's AWESOME: $69.30
telling all my friends about new favorite store of ridiculousness: priceless.
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I love this place for many reasons. Here are a few..
1. The perfect place to find that cute quirky gift to impress someone with, especially if they love the Nightmare Before Christmas.
2. It reminds me how much i don't know about what the hell people write about. i.e. ' Where to find the best napkin in the world.' -I just made that up, but I am sure its there.
3. They sell the gum that looks like cigarettes
Go here for everything including the kitchen sink.
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I love this place; I don't frequent it enough, but if I did I'm sure I'd be broke! So many books on art, photography, design, tattoos, pop culture, subcultures and everything in between. I can be in here for hours. I guess my only complaint is that the sections are kinda tight so browsing books & toys can get a bit awkward if you're there on a crowded day.
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Great store for unique Christmas and B-day gifts. Great books, toys and stuff for the house that's off beat and hard to find. I especially love all the tiki stuff they have since my kitchen is Hawaiian tiki style decor. They have an art gallery in the back room with some cool work from local artists, photographers, and etc. I don't get over to WACKO much, but I always do at least 1/2 of my X-mass shopping there every year. Thanks to my Tattoo Artist Ex-Boyfriend from Los Felix for showing me the place 10 years ago!
SOOOO FUNNN
ic an stay for hours....and we did
the toys are so cute and fun to play with
books are too interesting
art stuff is amazing
staff is wonderful
everything makes you either laugh, smile, or cringe
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Going through the doors is like stepping into a new dimension. A dimension that is covered in flyers and weekly papers from all around town. One you step into those doors you're transported to a land that logic forgot. Inside you'll find shelves of coffee table books that will clearly make your guest wonder about your sanity. That will be beyond entertaining and interesting in every possible way.
Toys in the back that will make you question the ability of children to enjoy these... and also wonder how old the "kids" who want these toys are. Besides coffee table books, the general outline of the books here cover all sorts of the spectrum that you wont easily find elsewhere.
They often have Art on displayed in the back. A bit pricey but well worth looking at. If you want a little bit of everything and a very unique gift for a friend or loved one, Wacko is your one stop shop for everything strange and odd. The definition of Novelty is behind the doors of Wacko. Just be careful on how much you'll end up losing out in your wallet because of it.
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Billy has an amazing store and I ALWAYS find many things to buy when I go there. I bought a lot of great art in La Luz as well. You can buy the best gifts here, shit you can't buy in any mall.
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There's a reason this place is pretty much the number one rated spot in Los Angeles. It might not be as cool as visiting Venice beach, or a huge mansion perched on a pile of mud, but it is destination kitsch/novelty/pop culture shopping with gallery space and a nice architecture and planning book section for you new urbanists out there.
Do show some restraint because sometimes a place like this can help you find the perfect gift and sometimes it can result in purchases that seemed funny at the time, but leave you scratching your head the next day.
So much fun to visit, though, and so many cool (figurative) gems and conversation pieces.
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Fun, exciting, mysterious, questionable.... Great Place to do some of the strangest and most interesting of shopping. Great knick knacks with plenty of books, toys, gallery art work, candy, everything... A must see in L.A. such a strange but awesome awesome store. my fav.
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You wouldn't believe all the things this place has!!
I don't wanna reiterate what other people said so I'm just going to give you my 15 min. experience while I was there.
-Pop-out Phobia Book
-Aisles and aisles of other books
-Random toys from things like the movie Hostel and KISS dolls
-Gag and prank memorabilia
All in all, a good place to get someone a gift for sure. If I had money I probably would've bought something but I'll return once I get paid =P
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One of the best places to find coffee table books.
I'm always lost in there for hours.
If you have someone that's always hard to shop for, you'll find something here no doubt about it.
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everything I'd ever want.What kind of a turdbird would'nt love this place.
perfection in a boutique.
this store is pretty much the best store to get fun gifts for anything from housewarming parties, bdays... etc.
They have great nick nacks.. and very humorous stuff. Fun coffee table books as well.
GO THERE! they have different kinds of rubber duckeys as well :)
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Such a dream. Everything is so totally unique. I love this joint.
You're a bit of a jackass, an old punker, maybe a bit morbid, and you wanna remind everyone that you're the artsy one. You're going to a birthday party, a housewarming thing, maybe Christmas shopping, and you hate the mall - so go to WACKO. Just go. Bring a hundred dollars and give yourself an hour - leave with two bags of ridiculous toys, campy kitchy nick knacks, sexy books, a unique greeting card and the confidence in knowing your reputation will be solidified. And I challenge you to leave without getting something for yourself.
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a favorite for soaking in some "inspiration"...books -n-art....what more could you ask for?
This place is the cure for boring gift shoppers.
If you have settled into buying the ho-hum gift cards, you need wacko therapy!!
I've spent hours in there just browsing the books section alone, and you're sure to find something (silly and cool) for everyone (with a sense of humor).
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Such an odd store- where else can you find your tiki bar accessories, your rockabilly records, Saturday morning cartoon paraphernalia, books on interior design, pirates or erotica, and your voodoo supplies? Yes ma'am (or sir.. we don't don't discriminate) they have deer legs, alligator skulls, and raccoon penis bones in the Santeria counter in back.
There is also a great selection of stationary, purses, artwork, and soap.
My inner-nerd compels me to buy everything, yet I feel cool just for walking into the store. Paradox.
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Pretty cool place. Lots of stuff you would never find anywhere else. I went there looking for posters and was disappointed but if I had gone there looking for something wacky I would have been very happy. They also have some really cool art but it's pricey, as it should be.
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this place was certainly unique, and i will definitely return, but i visited it today for the first time and i felt it was an absolute waste of time.
initially i went because the daily planet was out of mad libs. i was late to my father's day gig but i knew mad libs would be the perfect finishing touch to my present so i drove over wacko b/c the lately over the counter suggested it. unfortunately, this joint does not carrying mad libs but they do get asked "all the time". thanks.
so i thought i'd look around for a good replacement. but mostly i just felt lost because there didn't seem to be any real organization or theme to the aisles. like i REALLY didn't have a lot of time so i was trying to find something small and witty and jump on the freeway, but i'd myself perusing a shelf of political books and then suddenly transition to vampire art and then rock culture. the incongruency was just frustrating. i made my way into the back and desperately wanted to investigate the gallery but just didn't have time.
finally i decided to get him a south park action figure. turns out they sold out of the one i wanted. but they did have a south park pen! a cool employee showed me where they were located. unfortunately this talking pen was out of batteries. they were all out of batteries and just made pathetic little battery-dying-noises when you pushed the button. non-changeable batteries too.
so i left empty handed. and later than i already was.
i do want to go back. when i'm not late. when i'm not trying to shop for someone else that i'm not trying to offend. it'll be easier.
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It's difficult to spend less than an hour in here no matter whether it's your first time or your tenth. There's always something new to discovery in the books, kitschy gifts, or gallery. I feel like the buyers secretly reconned my apartment then filled a store based on my ecclectic tastes. Hey wait ...that's kind of creepy.
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Where else can you buy a giant rubber duck, a ben franklin action figure and tickets to mexican wrestling? Wacko is wonderful.
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I love this place for gifts and lots of books you don't normally find in a store. Oh and there is an art gallery!
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It has been a few years since I have been here. It is a great "gift" store. Anything retro -pop-culture's you will find here. You won't be able to leave empty handed.
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Been going for years and one of my fave Xmas shopping stops.Amazing collection of books.
This is my favorite store in Los Angeles. I can spend hours upon hours in here, just browsing. You can find a gift for anyone in here. Great books, cool toys, soaps and lotions, novelty items and anything you can imagine. I noticed in another review someone mentioned that the people working here are weird or that they try to annoy people. I just think that most of them do have an attitude and would rather be somewhere else. I'd probably feel the same way, but I guess thats why I don't work in retail. Anyway, love the store.
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really rad store. its like the one stop shop for all those odd things you were trying to find in OC. they have awesome books great, toys, cute trinkets, and lovely purses. everytime i come to this store i seriously want to spend my whole paycheck. the only thing that i dont like about it is that the drive IS SUPER FAR! other than that i love coming here and i actually get mad when my friends go without me!
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a longtime classic, you can get everything from "pull my finger" gag toys to blow up betty Page Dolls, R. Crumb postcards and other kitsch objects d'art. The post card selection is awesome! Its had 2 locations so far.... used to be next to Tang Records last time I was there, which was quite a while ago, but nonetheless, always went there when i would come home to LA again.
Great memories, superb decorating ideas, Got lots of Zippos there and there were always cute disheveled looking indie guys workin there, Well back in the day they weren't "indie" guys, they were just lazy, nonshaven, broke ass mothers, who liked punk rock but couldn't afford the hair dye.
We used to go to the old local and then hit SOAP PLANT next door.
Ahh good times!
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It's noon on Sunday and you need a birthday present for the person who has everything? It's Christmas and you don't know what to get your girlfriend's mom? You want Mr. T. in your pocket? Sexy soap? A clock that runs on fruit?
This place is awesome. You will want to buy most things for yourself, but you can get a gift for anyone, any time. Love it.
One of the best assortments of books in the city! I shop here very often, finding gifts for the hardest to please. Also, the lotions and potions sold are very nice, especially the moisturizers which are inexpensive and seemingly pure. The oilcloths are very pretty, toys and novelties abundant.
This is a browser's paradise, but I guarantee you will buy something every time you enter. Seriously, check out their books....even the sale ones in the back. You will be amazed at their depth and selection in every category. Billy is the master....there's no one who even comes close.
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