Los Angeles Curiosity Shop
Echo Park Time Travel Mart: Shopping for the Fourth Dimension
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published · Updated
Why it’s cool
This imaginative retail space masquerades as a convenience store for chrononauts, selling everything from mammoth chunks to robot emotions to fund a non-profit tutoring center for local students.
Walking past a storefront in Los Angeles where a caveman and a robot share a friendly handshake is your first clue that reality works a bit differently in Echo Park. This isn't your average corner store; it’s a dedicated supply station for those navigating the complexities of the fourth dimension.
With the cheeky motto "Whenever you are, we're already then," this shop caters to the specific needs of time travelers, whether they are heading back to the Jurassic period or forward into a neon-soaked future.
Why It Stands Out
The inventory at the Time Travel Mart is as absurd as it is delightful. Shelves are stocked with essentials you didn't know you needed, such as cans of Barbarian Repellent, containers of Wooly Mammoth Chunks, and even toupees designed specifically for robots.
The prehistoric theme continues at the La Brea Tar Pits Dragonfly Fossils. If your mechanical companion is feeling a bit hollow, you can pick up a "schadenfreude" emotion chip or browse a selection of Michael Jordan pogs for a hit of s nostalgia.
Beyond the novelty items, the store serves a vital community purpose. It is the public face of LA, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students with their creative and expository writing skills.
While the front of the building deals in "Time-Freezy Hyper Slush," the back room is a bustling tutoring center where dozens of local kids hone their craft every day. Other unique beverages can be found nearby at Galco's Soda Pop Stop.
Even the student publications are part of the theme, famously displayed inside a repurposed freezer for visitors to browse and purchase.
Before You Go
Every cent spent on "Pastports" or dinosaur eggs goes directly toward funding free tutoring and writing workshops for the community. It’s a rare chance to support youth literacy while picking up a jar of Leeches or some robot milk.
The shop is a sibling to other famous themed storefronts like the Pirate Supply Company in San Francisco and Brooklyn’s Superhero Supply store, continuing a tradition of using whimsical retail to anchor serious educational missions. Whether you are a local or just passing through the timeline, it is a mandatory stop for anyone who appreciates the intersection of community service and high-concept humor.
The Philosophical Research Society is another local institution with a unique collection.
Questions worth answering
What exactly is for sale here?
We stock the essentials for chrononauts, ranging from cans of barbarian repellent to jars of leeches. You'll also find robot milk and containers of wooly mammoth chunks on the shelves.
Where does the money from my purchase go?
Every cent spent on dinosaur eggs or pastports supports 826LA. This non-profit provides free writing workshops and tutoring for local students in the back room.
How does this place fit into the neighborhood vibe?
It's a hidden gem that functions as a convenience store for the fourth dimension. We consider it a mandatory stop for anyone who appreciates high-concept humor and community service.
Is this the only shop of its kind?
Our own editorial from there notes this is part of a themed retail tradition. It shares a mission with the Pirate Supply Company and Brooklyn's Superhero Supply store.
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