Highlights
Nestled in Echo Park, this quirky nonprofit shop is a treasure trove of time travel-themed gifts, retro finds, and fun literary trinkets.
"Founded by author Dave Eggers, 826 is a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting creative writing skills in elementary to high school-aged students. Each outpost features a supplemental storefront to raise funds for programming & publications. Pop into this unassuming mart on Sunset if you're in need of some quizzical curiosities. Everything from dinosaur eggs to robot milk, the Time Travel Mart has you covered from this era to the next." - Ludlow Kingsley
·
Jun 11, 2024
"Have you ever traveled through time and foolishly forgotten your Pastport? Woken up in the morning and realized you’re fresh out of dinosaur eggs for breakfast? Discovered that your robot is out of milk…and has lost its toupee? Thankfully, The Echo Park Time Travel Mart has all the necessary supplies for your trip to the fourth dimension – and yes, that apparently includes robot toupees! Brought to you by 826, the same organization responsible for the Superhero Supply store in Brooklyn and the Pirate Supply Company in San Francisco, The Echo Park Time Travel Mart is a time travel-themed retail store that boasts the slogan, “Whenever you are, we’re already then.” The store sells humorous relics from the past, present and future, such as Barbarian Repellent, Michael Jordan pogs and varying Robot Emotions. The store is located in the historic Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California and like all other 826 shops, functions as both a retail space and literacy tutoring center. Though the storefront window displays a caveman mannequin shaking hands with a robot, the back of the building houses the non-profit organization, where 20-30 students per day are tutored in creative and expository writing. All proceeds from the Echo Park Time Travel Mart go to funding the non-profit organization, and the playful store theme serves to inspire creativity in its students, as well as bring a unique way of advertising 826LA to the local community. Though the shop primarily features quirky time travel items, such as Time-Freezy Hyper Slush ice drinks and Wooly Mammoth Chunks, visitors can also browse and purchase the students’ publications, which are appropriately displayed in a freezer. We toured LA with the Time Travel Mart on Obscura Day - March 20th, 2010. Photos, stories and more here" - ATLAS_OBSCURA
·
Nov 5, 2022
"Have you ever traveled through time and foolishly forgotten your Pastport? Woken up in the morning and realized you’re fresh out of dinosaur eggs for breakfast? Discovered that your robot is out of milk…and has lost its toupee? Thankfully, The Echo Park Time Travel Mart has all the necessary supplies for your trip to the fourth dimension – and yes, that apparently includes robot toupees! Brought to you by 826, the same organization responsible for the Superhero Supply store in Brooklyn and the Pirate Supply Company in San Francisco, The Echo Park Time Travel Mart is a time travel-themed retail store that boasts the slogan, “Whenever you are, we’re already then.” The store sells humorous relics from the past, present and future, such as Barbarian Repellent, Michael Jordan pogs and varying Robot Emotions. The store is located in the historic Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California and like all other 826 shops, functions as both a retail space and literacy tutoring center. Though the storefront window displays a caveman mannequin shaking hands with a robot, the back of the building houses the non-profit organization, where 20-30 students per day are tutored in creative and expository writing. All proceeds from the Echo Park Time Travel Mart go to funding the non-profit organization, and the playful store theme serves to inspire creativity in its students, as well as bring a unique way of advertising 826LA to the local community. Though the shop primarily features quirky time travel items, such as Time-Freezy Hyper Slush ice drinks and Wooly Mammoth Chunks, visitors can also browse and purchase the students’ publications, which are appropriately displayed in a freezer. We toured LA with the Time Travel Mart on Obscura Day - March 20th, 2010. Photos, stories and more here" - ATLAS_OBSCURA
·
Nov 5, 2022
"826LA Time Travel Mart, Echo Park. Founded by author Dave Eggers, 826 is a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting creative writing skills in elementary to high school-aged students. Each outpost features a supplemental storefront to raise funds for programming & publications. Pop into this unassuming mart on Sunset if you're in need of some quizzical curiosities. Everything from dinosaur eggs to robot milk, the Time Travel Mart has you covered from this era to the next."
Los Angeles
·
Mar 16, 2022
Jakob Zetwick
Google
Space, time travel, dinosaurs, and literature!!! What more could you ask for?! This store is absolutely incredible. So many cool things to checkout and purchase. The attendant was very polite as I shared my excitement of all things available here. I greatly appreciate that they sell Retro 1951 pens. Those are my favorite. The greatest part though is this store supports the LA community and operates as a non-profit. If you’re in the Echo Park area this is a must visit spot!
Jason S (Simchelin Guide)
Google
This is absolutely the coolest mart I've ever been to. I would like to time travel here in the future. They have very quirky little gifts and products that are related to time travel. They are actually a part of a nonprofit that helps teach kids after school. The funny little trinkets and gifts they have here are absolutely amazing. they have a lot of cool decorations up. And there is this one telephone booth where you can call a number and it'll tell you a funny little prompt about time travel. It is really cool. This place is awesome. I highly recommend checking this place out if you're in the area.
Luc Pelt
Google
It is a small shop with very unique items for sale. Every item is a reminder of old days, or a reference to time traveling. All done very creative and with humor. It was well spend time here if you have 20 minutes or more to spare during your trip to LA.
There was an parking on the other side of the street, free for up to 30 minutes.
Kerry
Google
Such a wonderful little gem. Staff is helpful and patient, and you can often fine yourself there looking over everything for 20+ minutes. There are so many items with each their own little gimmick. Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff is highly priced, and I escaped myself with just a sticker. Anyhow, I highly recommend you drop by even for just a look! You'll be amazed at what you find.
Lisa Whalen
Google
This was a clever idea. It probably wouldn't be a place I would go more than once but it was fun to see the labels they created for stuff you would find at most any souvenir shop. In the back, they have a writing workshop for kids and you can buy their little books. That is what's special about the place.
Booyaka Stubbs (ExplorewithStubbs.com)
Google
What an amazing store!!. So much to see and do here. Definitely a one of a kind store although there are two locations lol. Staff was friendly and informative. Let us roam around and watched us just laugh at nearly everything in the place. My son loved it and I think might have had a better time. The time travel slushies were broken on the day we went so we came back the day before and enjoyed one...gotta love time travel. If you do use the phone to travel, pick up a time travel survival pack to be safe...saved our skin a couple times now
Melystikal
Google
Always wanted to come here since it's always popping up on my Google searches of unique places in Los Angeles. Kind of disappointing, was expecting the store to be bigger. Almost felt like this spot was more of a bookstore with some retro items. Did not really feel like I timed traveled. Take their survey and receive a free time travel sticker.
Sarah Zutter
Google
So fun and creative! Every single thing is themed down to the tiniest details. It's a very small store but you can spend a long time in there if you're paying attention! Amazing employees and all the sales help a great cause.
Anne-Marie N.
Yelp
Adorable, but small. Worth a poke around. Will only take a few minutes to explore. Loved seeing all of the unique finds. Prices are very high, but understandably considering they have to pay for the space. Really fun. Cashier was incredibly nice.
Jason S.
Yelp
This is absolutely the coolest smart I've ever been to. I would like to time travel here in the future. They have very quirky little gifts and products that are related to time travel. They are actually a part of a nonprofit that helps teach kids after school. The funny little trinkets and gifts they have here are absolutely amazing. they have a lot of cool decorations up. And there is this one telephone booth where you can call a number and it'll tell you a funny little prompt about time travel. It is really cold. This place is awesome. I highly recommend checking this place out if you're in the area.
Owen V.
Yelp
Quite novel, and towards a really good cause. It is definitely geared towards a younger demographic but still enjoyable to peruse.
Annabelle R.
Yelp
This is a small store selling quirky toys, novelties, books, and gift items for all ages. Some items that stood out to me were the Decoder of Dreams, watches that just say "NOW", the robot toupee (that can also be used as chest hair, goatee, or rust-stain remover), and their cute and weird cards, ie. one portraying a caveman and alien couple. We ended up purchasing several items, gifts for nieces and nephews, including a kitchen science book and one of their Hatchin' Grow dino eggs. We loved being able to view the tutoring center behind the display glass, and knowing that all of the profits go to a good cause, free writing programs for youth. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a fun little shop that will at least make you laugh at some of their funny and clever merchandise.
Gabriel T.
Yelp
It is a cute idea of a store. Just found the stuff they are selling to be mostly nifty, kitschy junk to be frank. Some cute things but nothing really unique. Seems like stuff you'd gift someone you don't know too well that they'd end up donating. I feel like I have seen some of the dinosaur knick-knacks they had at museum gift shops. There were some kinda cool posters.
There was a fun photo opportunity in the back with a fun mirror. Otherwise the puppet display upfront was cool. I think the finger puppets were the coolest items they had but I don't think they were for sale.
If you're in the area come for the cute laugh you might have at the decor. But the longer you stay the more you'll feel like a plastic dinosaur egg. Shiny and a funny idea, but ultimately it is empty plastic.
Danielle B.
Yelp
The canned mammoth chunks, bottled robot milk and time travel telephone booth really did it for me. What is there not to love about this place?
Maria E.
Yelp
This is a store selling quirky items, mostly based on time travel. It's somewhat satirical and definitely oddball. The best part is that it's the storefront for a non-profit supporting children's writing skills. The proceeds from the store go to supporting free programs for students. Now that's pretty cool.
I didn't find anything that I wanted to purchase but I definitely enjoyed looking. Some of the items would make cute gifts or stocking stuffers.
The staff member on duty was very friendly and pleasant.
They also had some sort of video / art installation by local students on display.
Parking is a bit of a hassle. There is a farmer's market around the block on Fridays so if you're driving from far away, I'd recommend consolidating those activities.
Nijole T.
Yelp
This is Such a fun little shop, ideal for quirky gifts! Also a fun place to take kids. It always feels great to support local, especially since the proceeds go to a good cause. Metered parking out front, worth stopping in!
Gustavo E.
Yelp
This place is so awesome and creative and I love everything that it stands for. All the proceeds go to schoolchildren so that they may develop better writing skills and then you can buy their little works of art in the store. They sell books, stickers, patches, shirts, posters and all the coolest funny little knickknacks you have ever seen! Drop by if you wanna set foot in the most unique little shop in Los Angeles :)
Evie T.
Yelp
Having a difficult time trying to get a status on our order, and getting no callbacks no answer to emails, and no emails from initial order confirming. Cannot find out if there is an issue getting what we requested.
Nobody answers the phone regarding the stores. in my case, buyer beware.
Andy D.
Yelp
One of the most fun "stores" to visit in LA!
This place is an absolute gas. I had heard about it on the radio or on sites like Atlas Obscura but never really understood what it was, until we visited a few weeks ago after a lunch outing with friends. Even after, I still don't know how to describe it. It's much more than just a mini-mart. I would say it's a kitschy, cheeky, time-travel themed art installation. The store decor and items for sale have tons of gags, even down to the labels and fine print. A lot of it is also just really nice stuff - I like their selection of postcards, pins, and shirts. I appreciate the retro AND futuristic artwork styles.
Time travel mart is a storefront a non-profit that supports children's writing, so I bought some stuff and it was actually very affordable. (The pin I bought was only $7). Parking was a bit of a hassle, but we did find a space in the public parking lot nearby.
Hannah H.
Yelp
"Whenever you are, we're already then." This is the Mart's tagline!
Places like these catch my interest - however, I may have had higher expectations?
I love their mission and their dedication in supporting students in LA with their writing skills and helping educators to inspire that passion for writing - so awesome!
The mart has various children's books, travel books, greeting cards, post cards, seasonal cards, prints and posters, and random knick-knacks throughout. I didn't think there was much of a selection, though.
I did find that fun huge can of 'Mammoth Chunks', though!
Interesting place to stop by, and I wished that the employee who was there was more engaging and put forth some effort into providing more information or some assistance of the offerings.
If you're into quirky concepts and the idea of time traveling excites you, stop by this mart to peruse for a while.
+'Mammoth Chunks'
+not-so-great service
+limited selection
+difficult street parking
Victoria R.
Yelp
This place is so fun! Been looking for your Mammoth Chunks fix? Struggling to replenish your Robot Milk. Seeking the beginning? Look no further than Wallace's Primordial Soup!
The Time Travel Mart is a spectacle of a store that supports 826LA, a nonprofit focused on teaching children, 6-18, creative writing. I know that because it supports a nonprofit, they need to keep prices kind of high of the items, but it was the costs that kept me from purchasing much.
It was still a ton of fun to visit and to take out-of-town friends!
Jeanette Y.
Yelp
Heard about this place & thought it'd be a cool place to check out. It's a really small shop that sells cool knit knacks that represent the past.
They have cool little products here and there such as Robot Milk, Dinosaur Eggs, Mammoth Meat etc. (see pictures below) and toys we used to have when we were young such as slap wrist bracelets, fortune fish, etc., I think it's a pretty neat shop and I found out that the proceeds go to help tutor children with writing.
I have to admit, it's really pricey, no REAL use for the product (just gonna lay around & collect dust) & its regular items in a container with an unique label. For example, Robot Milk is a bottle of sugar maybe? With the label of robot milk. Did I want to buy some of the things? Yea but like I said really pricey. But like I mentioned before, it is for a good cause.
There's a cool Medieval Money Laundry where you do a trade in with the cashier (see picture below) You either do a dance ending with jazz hands or write him a nice friendly poem & you get to dig for "treasure" fake gold. So it's a nice little souvenir to have from your trip to the Time Travel Mart.
The signs are also hilarious! I would definitely recommend coming here to check out the place to see it for your own eyes. It's fun cool hip place & if it's too far of a drive, find other things in the area to check out to add to the list so it's a full day of adventure!
Anne A.
Yelp
After getting rid of a lot of my junk aiming for a minimalist life, a visit to this "time travel mart" was pointless. A bunch tcotckes that I personally have no space or use for.
I have been curious and finally made time to visit with my nephew. He seemed very amused with the store looking at the unusual items they have for sale.
There's an Instagrammable spot in the storefront window where you can come in full on costume to take photos.
What this place does is actually housing a tutoring non-profit called 826LA, which is hides behind the travel mart so they are doing good behind-the-scenes in the back area of the store.
"826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write."
They have other locations in the country doing something similar which is kind of fun to think about. One of their locations in Brooklyn is a superheroes supply store - https://youtu.be/BscbPSe_wcE
So how can one rate this place less than 4 stars? Reading, writing and helping others is cool.
Dan L.
Yelp
How many times have you looked around and said wow I really need this done yesterday? Well, you probably can get it done yesterday at Time Travel Mart. The Time Travel Mart sells satire "merchandise" to raise money for 826LA, a non-profit writing and tutoring center. So you're actually doing something good with your purchase not just buying something cool to sit on your desk.
But honestly, this place is a whole lot of fun, and a whole lot of creativity. You could spend a good hour wandering around looking at all the cool stuff.
You want leeches in a jar? They've got them. You want beginner, intermediate, and professional time travel Parts? They've got them. Dinosaur eggs? They got them. I'm telling you, if they don't have it, you probably don't need it.
Bottom line? If you've got some time to spare on a Saturday, go check this place out, you'll thank me later for it.
Steffi L.
Yelp
Such a fun little whimsical place to stop by on your idle Saturday afternoon -- or lunch break!
You have to pay attention to the little details here -- from the signs pinned to the cork board to the donuts from 1985. So many hidden gems. You can even take a picture with the abominable snowman puppet thing in the display window.
Plus, this place is a non-profit so you can feel good about anything you buy. The only thing is, I wish they sold postcards!!!
Erik A.
Yelp
Cool experience but after about 5 or 10 minutes, the afterglow wears off.
Came on an odd day, apparently they were orienting volunteers for their store? It really made the place a cluster-, and I couldn't tell whether they were open or closed. The throng of people with applications in their hands were feverishly waiting to be fingerprinted or whatever; it made shopping/browsing a daunting task.
Grabbed a neat item just as a tchotchke, but it took a bit to get checked out; presumably I must have looked like a volunteer amongst the crowd. More than 10-12 people in the store at a time makes it very cramped.
That aside, TTM has some neat things for sale, obviously novelty items skewed with a time-travel, sci-fi vibe (e.g. Robot Milk, Mammoth Meat, Human Emotion programming chips...).
Although it was good for a few laughs, the sparse amount of items and lackluster shopping experience amidst the volunteer-a-thon make me wish I could time travel and get my 20 minutes back.
One and done here, folks.
Tiffany O.
Yelp
Cool little knick knacks, with the money for it going to a good cause. What's not to love about this place?
A friend was telling me about how she really wanted to check the Time Travel Mart out, so on an adventure day in LA we hit it up. The store in itself is actually really tiny, but the writing lab in the back is spacious and busy. Seeing that I was curious, a volunteer for 826LA began telling me all about the program and what they do/offer. I'm so intrigued that I'll be looking into volunteering over the summer =)
Parking: Easy, metered parking along the street where the store is.
Stuff: Chubble? 5 minutes to spare in a jar? Mustaches for any occasion? Sure, this stuff is random, but IT'S AWESOME. I walked away with two Haiku pins that are irrelevant and make no sense, therefore hilarious. My friend couldn't help himself and bought a dinosaur egg. I should probably ask him if he ever grew it.
Service: The people that work there are super friendly. I love love love it!
Overall: Such a great place to visit. When I go back, I'm definitely buying one of the books filled with kids' (ones that are part of the tutoring/mentoring program) poems =)
Marc G.
Yelp
This is a fun small quirky shop in a nondescript stretch of sunset blvd. Set up like a convenience store, this place sells all sorts of goods from different 'historic' periods whose purpose in 'real life' I presume are nothing more than just novelty items or to have around as a joke. no use asking the dude behind the counter though, as he was fully in character acting like this was all real. For instance, I asked if the 'mammoth chunks' were really mammoth, he said that they were. I asked where they got it, he said from 'back in time' and that they're past expiration date and if I went back to the Ice Age, they'd freshen up. playing along, I asked how to go back in time. He said take use a time machine. Where do I get one? His response: at the dealer around the corner that will be there in about ten years" lol xD
Overall, an interesting and entertaining experience
Lydia L.
Yelp
The Time Travel Mart is a great little vintage store that sells novelty gag gifts and old school toys. Some of their knick knacks may include a music box, dinosaur eggs, lava lamps and silly putty.
All in all, this mart is nestled in a great area with many cool stores.
2 hours meter parking is plentiful.
Taylor O.
Yelp
Whether you're an LA local looking for a fun place to take a friend, or a visitor to town looking for an adventure, this is a GREAT stop. It is a mock-up kind of store with all different time travel themed items that are hilarious and fun. I honestly am still entertained every time I visit and always notice new things.
The best part is that the shop funds a writing workshop for kids. I love that if I buy something here it is going towards a good cause. Definitely check this place out. It is good for all kinds of people of all ages!
Allyson J.
Yelp
This place is such a gem! It's almost entirely novelty / gag gifts, so don't expect to find things that are actually useful in life.
They do a great job with the overall decor, a lot of small tongue in cheek references. Be sure to look at everything, from the floors to the bulletin board. Everything has a time travel pun or reference and it's brilliant!
Such a fun experience!
Jasmine W.
Yelp
Nerdy/silly/fun shop with great displays, items to purchase, and all for a good cause. I took my 7 year old daughter here and she had so much fun exploring the items that she wanted to bring the rest of the family to check it out. While there were great items there I kind of wish there were more... as much as I wanted to we couldn't find anything that we liked enough to purchase. Great area - lots of hipster restaurants, book stores, cafes - definitely pop by if you're in the area.
Syd B.
Yelp
Greetings earthlings! This place was beyond stellar. With blasts from the past and nic-nac's of our future, this time travel shop is a fantastic quick stop that will keep you entertained. The store is very tiny which allows visitors to see everything within minutes. Some items included lava lamps, dinosaur eggs, facial hair styles throughout history, Viking Odorant (deodorant), time travel sickness pills, books, VHS tapes, and so much more. My list can go on and on but basically the items are so intriguing that your eyes will be glued to everything in the aisles. What a great place for gag gifts! I was laughing the entire time, and fortunately the man behind the counter was extremely helpful answering all my questions while also talking to me as if he came from the future. Great vibes!
The only reason I can picture someone not enjoying this store is if they're a boring person who doesn't know how to have fun. Totally fine with me, but then you should still go anyway. Why? Because the proceeds are donated to educating children with reading, writing, and the arts.
Let's just put it this way... stop reading the reviews and don't spoil the surprises by looking at the posted pictures. Just go. Right now. The Time Travel Mart is a unique place that's well worth the visit.
Christine A.
Yelp
Hm, I haven't yet written a review for this 7-Eleven-type convenience store catering to chrononauts and temporal journeymen? Could have sworn I had. Maybe I'm just seeing time echos of myself as I compose this now. Curse those tricky tachyon particles.
I've been going to the Time Travel Mart for nearly five years. Its main objective is not in giving visitors a laugh (although it does accomplish this, mind), but to help tutor school children in their writing. Money from purchases of the quirky objects within goes toward this goal.
The shop, which was created to fit with the storefronts in the area, is filled with any number of things people, creatures, and androids alike might need to stock up on for their next jaunt through the time-space continuum. They've got giant cans of mammoth stew, dinosaur eggs, Shakespeare insult gum, sticks of Viking ODORant, vials of breath ruiner, robot emotion chips (photo: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vNfa5x8uOloS5S1nzvq-fg?select=irZnxU2FO9j_qYK-xf22rw), tonics for learning dead languages, even an out-of-order slushie machine (photo:http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vNfa5x8uOloS5S1nzvq-fg?select=IeDSvPhTJI4qi8FSXBeJng). They even carry items from the not-so-distant past with products like Michael Jordan pogs, Ricky Martin lunch pales, and 8-Track tapes.
A sign behind the counter warns shoplifters they'll be sent to Australia if they're caught. Below that management asserts, "You Break It, You Unify the Resulting Infinite Universes." The closed-circuit security TVs (photo: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vNfa5x8uOloS5S1nzvq-fg?select=XnIKcXlvIlonD-CfonUVwQ) show Huns, cavemen, people in 19th century English attire, and many others perusing the aisles of supplies.
The mart is completely free to visit and you are allowed to take as many pictures as you want without obligation of making a purchase. It's all in good fun and for a good cause.
Harmonie T.
Yelp
How can you not walk into a store that has a caveman hanging out with a robot in the window display??? ;D
As a fan of 826LA and having supported the nonprofit several times at past events and fundraisers, I finally stepped foot into the Time Travel Mart that would've impressed Inspector Spacetime.
We were immediately greeted by the friendly girl working the front desk but my "hello" back to her was distracted by the tank of turtles on the counter. She even offered to let me feed them even though they normally have the kids do it. But I suppose that traveling in time makes me a kid again :)
The store sells everything from robot milk to dinosaur eggs to mustaches. They also have slightly more practical items like posters, keychains, and journals. If you walk through to the back, you will see the spacious tutoring area where kids can go after school for help with their writing skills and storytelling.
Might be kinda fun to volunteer to be a tutor. Perhaps motiviate kids to become future Yelpers ;D
Kathryn O.
Yelp
I had fairly high expectations for Time Travel Mart after reading about it online, and it actually surpassed those! My husband and I spent a good chunk of time in the store looking at everything and browsing through many of the books. If you're not aware, Time Travel Mart carries satirical/gag items related to time travel in some way. There are so many puns/jokes throughout the store, and incorporated into the products, too. Although it's a small store, there is PLENTY to look at if you enjoy this kind of thing!
We started chatting with the employee at the register and learned that much of the merchandise sold benefits 826LA, a non-profit organization that tutors students and works with them on creative writing. SO cool! If you peek through one of the glass cases along the back wall, you can glimpse the tutoring space they have.
Ended up purchasing a framed quote written by one of 826LA's students- I love it, and love that it supports a great cause. I will definitely be back.
Steph C.
Yelp
David Eggers's Echo Park Time Travel Mart is a quirky, painfully hip little store that's fun to browse, with no practical value. The concept will either strike you as charming or irksome, and it's certainly the act of a rather large literary ego. But it isn't all ego - the place is a storefront that leads to and supports 826LA, Eggers's wonderful non-profit aimed at fostering creativity in youths. You can see 826LA in back, and anything you buy helps out the program.
The place is set up like a convenience store, and it sells wares that purport to come from all different points in time, with special emphasis on the caveman and robot eras. If you're looking for dinosaur eggs and robot milk, this is the place to go. The Time Travel Mart also carries a large selection of David Eggers books and McSweeney quarterlies.
More than a store, it feels like a quick-stop tongue-in-cheek museum. I love the bulletin board, which holds flyers for things like Bubonic plague support groups. Most of the offerings don't tempt the wallet, though I wanted one of my friends to buy the "All of My Friends Are Dead" dinosaur T-shirt. One of them did buy a cheap pair of fun retro sunglasses, but no pre-historic survival supplies.
The Echo Park Time Travel Mart is cute and clever and definitely worth a short browse. It's a smart use of already rented space, and it exists in support of an excellent cause. Despite the overwhelming self-conscious whimsy, it's hard not to like this place.
Gabriela G.
Yelp
Where can you buy some dinosaur eggs and maybe a jelly donut from 1986?
At The Echo Park Travel Mart of course.
Not only is this the coolest prehistoric 7/11 that has ever existed- but better yet- it is a non-profit that teaches creative writing to youth!
Dawn F.
Yelp
Cool store - more amazing cause- proceeds go to benefit a free school for kids (afterschool, workshops/tutoring) for kids called 826LA!
You can find unique, funny gifty stuff and one of the only places you can still buy a SIMON game from the 70/80s and a bottle of Leeches!!
Reshad K.
Yelp
I love the time travel mart. I walked by it a dozen times and never went in because I thought it was a dingy 7-11 knock off. When I went in i was in for a surprise. They have a great eclectic vibe and the staff is amazing. They go above and beyond. The main reason to support this is that the proceeds go to fund after school arts program. As another yelper said this is basically a front for an arts education non profit.
The place is kept in business by Dave Eggers and other benefactors and of course by your purchases.
The non profit empowers kids by having them write stories which are then published in house and available in the story.
There are unique gifts to be found here. Some are one note gags and some are legit cool. They have a new space dice game that's used for storytelling which is very fun.
Renee M.
Yelp
Super cool place, what makes it so awesome besides the random items that are time travel related is that fact that it is actually a non-profit writers workshop for kids.
They sell the writings of the students at the storefront and you can add a donation onto your purchase anything is appreciated. They guy behind the counter was very helpful in giving us information on this location as well as sister stores/workshops across the country.
I think I will need to go back in the very near future as this would be a great spot to get gifts for teachers. Also I love the area and any excuse to visit Echo Park is good for me.
Cherie C.
Yelp
826 has done it again. I've been lucky enough to visit the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company and the Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute, so I was excited to visit the Time Travel Mart while in LA.
Sure, little of it is useful in real life (or maybe just not in this time period). But the store is great, and the product packaging alone is worth the cost. Best of all, it benefits a terrific drop-in tutoring center.
Where else can you get a jar of nothing, items for your trip to the Pleistocene era, or a robot toupee? Only here. Resist the temptation to buy a donut (Fresh! In 1985), but do buy something. After all, you'll be helping educate our youth.
Be sure to check out the online store. Their poster series are terrific. I can't wait to buy some for my home!
Michael T.
Yelp
While not the most exciting road-side attraction in the world, I'm very glad this exists. It's more of an art exhibition than a convenience store, though you can purchase things. Next time you need a VHS tape or a donut from 1985... this is the place. It won't take you too long to see, but it's full or quirk. If you're like me and you're looking for things to see just to get your toddler out of the house for a moment... it's a place you can stop. Otherwise, it might not be worth the trip just for this if you're far away... but if you're close, FOR SURE check it out!!! Places like this don't tend to last super long, so we need to support it while it's here!
Justin H.
Yelp
Parking - Meter street parking....it's Los Angeles...watch out for meter maids
Environment - A tiny little shop that felt musty and dusty with a vintage feel. Random poorly constructed "time machine" in the back (it's just a panel of lights behind plastic curtains). Also red ear slider turtles! I mean dinosaurs...
Inventory - Shelves were stocked with olden times gag props re-branded as futuristic or modern items. Also had interesting variety of books and a barrel of sand with plastic pirate coins you can barter for by trading the cashier a performance of personal talent, singing, and/or dance.
Price - Way overpriced.
Service - The one person working was kind of quirky in a charming way. He was a little off to me but other patrons seem to jive well with him.
Sidenote - The mart is a front for a volunteer writing service for the community.
Overall - I would not drive through Los Angeles to visit but if you are in the area, stop by for some amusement. However, their mission to provide writing assistance for the community deserves a shout out.
Elle E.
Yelp
The money you spend here goes toward supporting 826LA, a non-profit that offers free tutoring, and other educational activities for local school children. That's the main appeal of this place for me.
It has kitchy things and is worth a visit if you're in the area, or not far from it, but I don't recommend you come from the west side to here. Especially when there's an 826, and Time Travel Mart in Marina Del Rey (although, don't be fooled, the two aren't identical).
All and all this is a great little shop. A few detractors are that parking can be problematic, but I usually park near the school, and have no problems finding a spot. And it's not very big. You can get through it in less than twenty minutes. So don't plan your day around a venture here.
Alanna F.
Yelp
This place is a lot of fun, they did a great job. This is the sister shop to 826 in San Francisco
http://826valencia.org/
free tutoring programs, etc.
I work with kids a lot, so I stocked up on fun little toys from finger flashlights to windup robots.
Want to go back and bring some friends here.
All in all, I had a blast browsing the store.
The gentleman helping me was kind and friendly.
All your purchases and donations support the tutoring in the back.
Suzanne W.
Yelp
Ok... super cute... but there was hardly ANNNNYTHING in this store. Sure, the novelty gag gifts are fun... but how bout they add more things to fill up the shelves. I felt like I walked into a store on the verge of closing. With so many great reviews... I thought I'd find so many cool things. Again, Cali has fooled me. haha. I feel like if they filled their shelves better or just had someone set it up better... the store would be a lot more fun.
Theresa S.
Yelp
LOVE this place. Great concept, great cause. The tutoring/writing center in the back is a wonderful space for kids (and their tutors). I wish I had thought of this. So, so creative.
Lara W.
Yelp
This place is way to cool for school. Strange in a smart and excellent way. In what year you ask, your guess is as good as mine. Where else can you find opposable thumbs and chubble?
"What's chubble" you ask? "It's the product of the future."
Too bad the future was yesterday and the past is tomorrow.
Just go and you'll understand...maybe!
Michelle L.
Yelp
One of the most interesting stores I've stepped foot into in a long time. The Time Travel Mart is a storefront that specializes in Time Travel! You can buy dinosaur eggs, robots, vampire repellents and so much more. There's stuff from all different time periods too! Obviously everything is really gimmicky (and surprisingly expensive) but that's the fun of the store! For example, there is a container that has nano robots in it. There's nothing in there because the robots are so small that you can't see them with the naked eye! Anyways, the store is really small so you can actually see everything in maybe half an hour or an hour if you're reading everything.
We had a nice chat with the man working in the store and apparently the Time Travel mart is a non-profit literacy and writing school. All the posters and Time Travel newspapers in the store are written by students of the classes. How cool is that! In the front of the store, there is a wall dedicated to different bills from all over the world. My boyfriend donated a bill from the Philippines and bought a t-shirt to help out this non-profit. The store is just so cool! Everybody should come for a visit! 4/5
Rochelle D.
Yelp
My dear fellow time travelers,
They will have what you need when you get here, because wherever you are, they are already then.
They had the note to self post it notes that I was looking for, and then some.
I'd stay and write more, but I've got to go. I haven't eaten since later this afternoon...
Javier J.
Yelp
I love the concept. It's just beyond great. They sell off the wall wacky stuff with the idea that it's a store that caters to any need from any time period. Need some leaches to bleed you dry because of your cold? Find them here. Need some robot milk? Check! iPods from the past? They're right here when you need them.
You can also feel good that your money spent on silly things is going towards tutoring for the kids in the area. So when you reach for those raptor eggs, you can just imagine those kids reading a good book because of you. Way to go. Just be sure to travel back in time and make sure that your past self ends up shopping here.
I hear they have a Superhero one in New York.. That is going to be a must stop for me when I hit up the big apple next year. I mean, I need to stock up on my super hero supplies after all.
So how does one set up a shopping list for a future store? Don't worry. You wont need one. They already know what you're going to buy. Besides, it's more of an art installation than a shop. Think of it as a museum of strange that you can buy pieces from. Because that's all each of the items are, pieces of this one amazing art showing to time travelers everywhere.
I'm also really tempted to dress as a caveman and walk in here, pick up their Caveman paper and pay in the form of animal teeth and rocks. I'm sure it wont fly, but you have to respect the different currency of the times, I say.
And even if you're not buying anything, this place ranks up there with the rest of the strange stores in Los Angeles like Wacko in that you can spend a good amount of time searching through here and just finding something you'll chuckle over.
Sorry, there's no sports almanacs here. They need to keep the past and future safe. You don't want to live in Biff's 1985 alternative future, right? I mean, we already lived through 8 years of that with Bush in office, no need to relive that.
They were all out of sonic screwdrivers the last time I went. A shame really, I have a nice blue police box that needs a good key for. It's a must for anyone who likes the strange and hell, you may come to realize that you already been here.. or at least the future version of you has. Just don't freak out. Any involvement in your own future may alter it.. in that you'll buy a different product than the one you came in hoping to buy.
Yup, that's how time travel works, alright.
Chris V.
Yelp
My dad is a professional science fiction novelist. You now know everything you need to know about my dad in order for everything else I tell you about him to make sense.
To tell you the truth, I couldn't say how I first heard about this place. I kinda like it that way. This is one of those spots where simply knowing about it at all is enough. With the shadow of Father's Day looming ever closer on the horizon, I sought on my day off to put this knowledge to good use. It seemed like the kind of shop where I could find something he'd be into, but I totally wasn't expecting the sort of awesomeness it hit me with. Located on Sunset in the heart of Echo Park, this place is perfect for anyone looking to explore one of Los Angeles' quirkier hidden treasures. The mart itself is very small, but it's chock full of amusing novelties that all winkingly tie into the central theme of time travel. In one aisle, leeches in a jar and giant cans of Mammoth Chunks; in the next, robot memory chips pressed up against a candle holder in the image of Stephen Hawking.
As I was poking around, the guy working the counter, who was cute and smiley and very outgoing, wasted no time explaining to me that the Time Travel Mart is all just a front. I half expected him to go off about something retro-cool and/or sinister, but what I got was even better: all of the money you spend on these delightful little knick-knacks goes to benefit a program they run that encourages writing and literacy among inner-city schoolkids. You can purchase their publications in-store and even volunteer to do your part. And here I thought I was just trekking to get something geeky for dad. (Like any loving son would, I got him a Swartzschild Filter: change every 3 years or 30,000 years, whichever comes first.)
Upon returning to my illegally parked car (Walgreen's doesn't need to know) what may have been twenty minutes or a thousand years later, I cheerfully opted to take the long way home. It's not often that a store can so brighten my outlook, especially given my dislike for shopping in general, but this gem made me feel just enough out of sync with time to stop, smell the roses, and enjoy what I had left of the day. Most excellent.
Duffy D.
Yelp
This store is amazing. Not only is it the most original novelty shop I have ever seen, but it is the storefront for 826LA, as Christine noted in her review. Check them out: www.826la.org they are a non-profit organization tutoring kids 8-18 one on one.
The Time Travel Mart is, by the way, the coolest store in LA. It is such a great and fun idea, I found myself walking around wishing I thought of some of the things. A t-shirt of a dinosaurs frowning with the words "all my friends are dead" printed on it (awwwww, cute!), water bottles of "robot killer" (aka water), sling shots and other fun fun fun items. It's the kind of place where you can easily kill time, kill some bucks and feel guiltless in doing so (as it's all for a good cause...)! They had a slushy machine that was busted that had a sign up reading "Out of Order, Come Back Yesterday" ... genius! (It's not there now, apparently the machine was actually out of order and it's getting repaired)
I am definitely going back to snag a few items. Gifts for kids that are creative? I'm totally in!
PS: Do check out the website. These guys seem like they have a really cool organization and you should check 'em out.
Esmé W.
Yelp
Judd Apatow. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Dave Eggars. Spike Jonze. The LA Lakers. Jenny Lewis. John Krasinski. Patton Oswalt. No, I did not steal the guest list to the craziest LA party in existence. I did, however, look to see who donated to make The Echo Park Time Travel Mart possible, and in hand, supported the promotion of literacy in Los Angeles.
If the robot shaking hands with a Neanderthal in the front window is not enough to lure you in, then look up. Emblazoned on their marquee is the statement "Whenever you are, we're already then." Think about that, and if you are intrigued, go take a look. If smooshing your face up to the window after to catch a glimpse of the books, posters, stellar selection of faux facial hair, t-shirts and eco-friendly tote bags, and their purchase going to an incredibly worthy cause, isn't enough to convince you to step inside the door, then, just keep walking.
You have officially lost your youth and were probably the kid that didn't clap when Tinkerbell was dying.
Yes, there are a lot of gag-y, kitschy, cheesy, face-value jokes in the Mart, but, seriously, if you can't feel giddy to 6 year-old excitement levels at the idea of "Caveman stationary" (slabs of stone) then you are past hope and probably would never get what the Time Travel Mart is selling.
But for those of us who can appreciate genuinely what The Echo Park Time Travel Mart brings to the storefronts of Sunset Blvd, it is a little piece of childhood magic brought to life.
miss k.
Yelp
For the ninnies that are complaining, the purpose of this place (in part) is to support the kids' writing center by giving you an opportunity to (essentially) donate through the purchase of a novelty object. The novelty items for sale are a fun and creative conduit for donation and a way to show off the center's inherent love of wordsmanship. It is a clever and cute exchange that should leave you feeling warm inside.
This chain of non-profit writing centers also feature a pirate supply store in SF, space travel supply store in Seattle, superhero supply store in NY, secret agent supply store in Chicago, robot supply store in Ann Arbor and Bigfoot research center in Boston. Each of these is SO MUCH MORE than a store! The storefronts are there to raise funds, provide an entertaining open house for the community, set a creative tone but the PRIMARY FUNCTION is to provide a learning space for children in each location.
If I was a kid, I'd love to go to writing classes in the back of a time travel mart! What a great way to get kids interested. Lighten up people, what is not to love?
The items I've purchased here have made much treasured gifts for friends of all ages. It's a great place to purchase unique gifts on top of everything else.
Ayelet I.
Yelp
The concept behind this store (and the pirates version in SF and superheroes one in NYC) is awesome-sell random fun and funny stuff to raise money for the one-on-one tutoring of neighborhood kids that takes place behind the shop. You can even see the kids and tutors at work through one of the rear refrigerators selling bottled Ancient Greek, dinosaur eggs and robot milk powder.
Still, some aspects of the shop are disappointing. The tote bag would be way cooler if it featured the caveman shaking hands with a robot motif and motto "whenever you go we're already then" that's available on t-shirts. But at least they do have the shirts.
And ultimately, buying any of the unnecessary goods is about giving a donation to 826LA and getting a silly little souvenir for your troubles. It's a great way to raise money for a worthy cause and I hope it can be advanced a little bit with more witty products to attract more people who are interested in making a cool purchase rather than making a donation, since the concept is what will pull more people in. Definitely worth checking out for giggles and feel-good buys!