Los Angeles, California
Soap Plant / Wacko: A Sprawling Emporium of Pop Culture and Curios
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published
Why it’s cool
This legendary Los Feliz destination combines a sophisticated art gallery with a massive warehouse of niche books, eccentric toys, and preserved biological specimens.
Vibrant murals wrap the exterior of this Los Feliz landmark, signaling the chaotic creativity waiting inside its 6,000 square foot floor plan. What began as a modest family venture has evolved into a massive cultural hub where shoppers can lose hours among shelves dedicated to everything from niche cinema and the occult to underground cartoons and mortality.
It is a place where high brow art meets low brow novelty.
Why It Stands Out
The shop traces its roots back to 1971, when Barbara Shire sold handmade soaps while her husband Hank managed the store's visual identity. Their sons, Peter and Billy, eventually added their own artistic flair through ceramics and leatherwork.
By the 1980s, Billy Shire took the reins and significantly expanded the inventory. He introduced the Wacko brand in 1984 to accommodate a growing obsession with pop culture ephemera, games, and toys.
After a stint on Melrose Avenue, the business returned to its Los Feliz roots in 1995. Today, the space functions as a hybrid bookstore, gift shop, and gallery.
While the front of the house is filled with bright novelty socks and tarot decks, the deeper corners of the store hold more shadow filled treasures. Tucked away in the back, observant visitors can find a collection of macabre curiosities, including pinned insects, preserved scorpions, and deer feet.
These curiosities share a similar spirit with the collections at Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities. For those seeking fine art, the onsite gallery hosts rotating exhibitions that showcase a wide variety of contemporary works.
Before You Go
The shop maintains a shifting schedule throughout the week. Doors open daily at 11 a.m. except for Sundays, when the shop opens at midday.
Closing times vary, staying open as late as 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, while shutting earlier on weeknights and Sundays. If you are looking for specific gallery openings or community gatherings, the store's social media pages provide the most current updates.
Questions worth answering
What kind of items will I find inside the shop?
The floor plan covers 6,000 square feet of inventory ranging from handmade soaps to underground cartoons. You can browse shelves of niche cinema books or look for tarot decks and bright novelty socks.
Is there anything for people who prefer darker or more unusual objects?
The back corners hold a collection of macabre curiosities. You might spot pinned insects, deer feet, or preserved scorpions if you look closely enough.
When is the best time to visit if I want to stay late?
Friday and Saturday are your best bets since the doors stay open until 10 p.m. On Sundays, the shop does not open until midday and closes by 6 p.m.
How did this business get its start?
The shop began in 1971 as a small family venture. Barbara Shire sold her own soaps while her husband and sons contributed visual identity, ceramics, and leatherwork to the brand.
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