West Hollywood’s celebrated Book Soup bookstore is closed indefinitely after a water main break flooded the area around Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive.
For context, the store is a long-time favourite of A-list celebrities, including Elton John, who once joked he would “throw myself off a cliff” if it ever shut down.
Book Soup closure follows West Hollywood water main break
The bookstore announced its temporary closure in an Instagram post on Saturday, stating it hopes to reopen within days pending approval from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the City of West Hollywood. The neighbourhood remains inaccessible to non-residents as crews continue repairs.
“Thank you to all who have asked if we’re okay and have checked in about the store,” the post read. “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!”
Celebrity hotspot among those affected by flood
Book Soup is one of several high-profile businesses impacted by the water main rupture. Dialog Cafe, another celebrity-frequented establishment, reported “significant damage” with no confirmed reopening date. The burst pipe—a 102-year-old pressurized line—sent floodwaters through the area on Thursday morning.
Crews worked through Friday night to replace the damaged main, but officials have not guaranteed Sunset Boulevard will reopen before Monday’s morning rush. Residents blame aging infrastructure for the incident, though no significant injuries were reported.
