Book Soup, the beloved West Hollywood bookstore long embraced by celebrities — and once praised so dramatically by Elton John that he said he’d “jump off a cliff” if it disappeared — has announced troubling news after a nearby water main break disrupted the neighborhood.
The iconic Sunset Strip bookshop said Saturday that it has closed indefinitely because of the flooding, though the store is aiming to welcome readers back as soon as it can safely do so.
“We hope to reopen within a few days. We must first get the all clear from LADWP and the City of West Hollywood. Right now the neighborhood remains inaccessible except to residents,” Book Soup wrote in a post on Instagram.
“Thank you to all who have asked if we’re okay and have checked in about the store. We sincerely appreciate the love and support. We’re very glad we haven’t suffered any damage thus far, and we hope it stays that way!” the store added.
Over the years, Book Soup has become a literary landmark and a celebrity favorite, drawing famous visitors including John, Emma Roberts, Courtney Love and Jack Black, among others.
John, the legendary “Rocket Man” singer, once made clear just how much the West Hollywood bookstore meant to him, saying he would “throw myself off a cliff” if it ever closed — before joking that some people might campaign for exactly that outcome.
“I love record stores … and book stores,” John said. “If Book Soup, over the road, went as well, then I’d probably throw myself off a cliff.”
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“There’ll probably be a few people petitioning for Book Soup to close so that I will throw myself off a cliff,” he added.
“American Horror Story” actress Emma Roberts was once spotted buying a copy of The Power Broker.
And staff have guided comedic actor Jack Black to the bathroom and avoided taking checks from Courtney Love in fear they would bounce, according to LA Magazine.
It’s yet another celeb-dotted attraction to be closed following this week’s deluge after a water main break from a century-old pipe.
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The water main break in West Hollywood Thursday morning devastated local residents and caused widespread damage in the area of the iconic Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. Residents, none of whom sustained significant injuries during the flood, blame aging infrastructure for the burst pipe.
Crews were seen repairing the water main break through the night Friday. They were able to replace the ruptured 102-year-old water main beneath Sunset Boulevard, but officials now say they can’t guarantee the major thoroughfare will reopen before Monday’s morning rush.
Another celeb hotspot, Dialog Cafe, said the business “sustained significant damage,” and it’s unclear when they’ll reopen. Early morning videos showed floodwaters rushing into the cafe and down Palm Ave after a century-old pressurized pipe burst, sending water flowing everywhere.
