Set amongst cafes and bookshops in Los Angeles, USA, Earth’s trendy Echo Park neighborhood, The Time Travel Mart is billed as “the convenience store for all your time travel needs”.  Galactic Hitchhikers will love the tiny storefront, packed with novelties and must-have souvenirs of the past, present, and future!

For such a small space, they have lots of great items to buy: from scientific gear (like gyroscopes, robot personality implant chips and wind-up robots) to groceries (cans of Mammoth Meat and Primordial Soup) to cosmetic items (Viking Deodorant, anyone?).  Clever pins, coffee cups, and tote bags help you fit in with local, modern earthlings, as well.  

Announcement boards advertise for an Estate Sale at the Palace Versailles, and very, very old donuts are available for the strong of stomach!  Every corner of this store is filled, making for an entertaining visit no matter what era or galaxy one hails from!

But wait, there’s more!  The Time Travel Mart is actually just a front for non-profit 826LA, founded by author Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, website McSweeney’s) 826National is a program for youth ages 8-16, empowering them through writing.  Time Travel Mart, and sister stores around the US host the 826 writing centers. I have been to Echo Park TTM twice, but look forward to a visit to the 826CHI location, The Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Company!  

So, the next time you find yourself stranded in time in the Plural Zones, and can’t find a convenient rift to recharge your time machine, stop by The Echo Park Time Travel Mart for all your past, present, and future needs!