WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Chi Chi LaRue’s Circus will be taking over the infamous Circus of Books adult book store in West Hollywood.
"We are thrilled to open and keep the iconic gay landmark location open," Chi Chi LaRue told XBIZ tonight. "It’s part of my and many gay men’s history in West Hollywood."
“They leased the space,” said Karen Mason, who owns Circus of Books with her husband Barry Mason. “I’ve seen a drawing of the exterior, which looks the way it used to look when we got the store, but the colors are more vibrant.
“We met with the city today to talk about bringing back the big picture windows in the store. They want to put those back. They want to put circus stripes on the front. They really want it to look how it used to look.”
Circus of Books — which sells adult magazines, porn movies, sex toys, lube, poppers and glass pipes — opened in 1960 and was acquired by the Masons in 1982.
The store is now closing after all these years. It’s last day is tomorrow.
Chi Chi LaRue's — an adult store operated by its namesake porn director, DJ and retail storeowner — is located about a mile west of the Circus of Books. Both store locations are on Santa Monica Boulevard.
The second store will simply add “circus” to its title.
“I think they are very strong operators,” Mason told the WeHo Times. “They run a much more upscale place, at least than we do. I think they’ll do a good job.”
Pictured: Chi Chi LaRue in front of her retail store
