1022 E. Chevy Chase Dr. Ste. C
Glendale, CA 91205

(818) 243-4112 Phone
(818) 243-4158 Fax
Email us by clicking here

HOURS:
Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed on Sundays

We specialize in Armenian books, music, videos, cards, posters, and gift items.  We also offer publishing and printing services.  Please contact us for more information.

Since 1978, we have been the number one source for Armenian books and merchandise in the Diaspora.

Long before AbrilBooks.com, before Abril Bookstore, Abril Publishing, and Abril Printing, there was a magazine titled "Abril," with a symbol of the pomegranate tree next to it.  This is when the coining of this pair was born.  It was chosen for a couple of different reasons.   Symbolically, the pomegranate has numerous connotations within the Armenian culture.  It means life and birth.  The pomegranate tree is tree of life. "Abril"  in Armenian means "to live."  It also means the month of April, which holds many important holidays and memorials for the Armenians, including Easter, Sourp Haroutioun (Holy Resurrection) and the Armenian Genocide.  Abril was also established in the month of April.

The title, "Abril,"  first appeared in 1977 as the name of the first publication of the first Armenian language magazine in Los Angeles named.  Starting out at a small office in a Hollywood building, the publishers toiled to bring this wonderful idea into fruition.  It was a huge success.  This was during the early days of the Armenian community of Los Angeles who settled around Hollywood, with Santa Monica and Hollywood Boulevard being the main hotspots of cultural activity.  Abril Magazine was the first magazine within the community to discuss local issues and brought attention to the political, cultural, and economic activities occurring in Armenia and in the Diaspora. It highlighted numerous talented individuals within our community and beyond. The community was so small in those days that helping each other out was inevitable, which has been one of the most important aspects of our people in keeping our culture together throughout the centuries.  The advertisements reflect this characteristic as well. The advertisements portray the thriving community of the late 1970s and early 1980s, including doctors, mechanics, jewelers, discos, clothing stores, etc.

The publishers reasoned that it would be more worthwhile to print the magazine themselves rather than at outside presses.  So they bought a couple of printing presses and hired a printer.  And thus, Abril Printing developed.  Not only did they print their own magazine, but they began to offer printing services to everyone else.  Now that they had a press, Abril Publishing was established as well and they began publishing books authored by the many Armenian authors living in and around Los Angeles.

Abril Printing and Publishing was located at the edge of the proposed "Little Armenia"  at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Oxford Street by Western Avenue.  As the business flourished, they decided to begin another business venture which would again be the first of its kind.  The office space next door opened up and they seized the opportunity to open Abril Bookstore in 1978, the first brick and mortar Armenian bookstore in Los Angeles.  Hence began one of the most important centers of Armenian literature and cultural awareness.  This followed the massive influx of Armenians in the 80's which was a tremendous help to the business.

Abril Bookstore, Printing, and Publishing remained in that location for a little more than twenty years.  By 1998, the area and demographics had changed quite a bit.  The new center of Armenians became Glendale.  Most Armenians moved out of the Hollywood area.  It was time for change.  In the summer of 1998, Abril Bookstore moved to the heart of Glendale, on the intersection of Broadway and Jackson to a much spacious and newer building.

Although the Broadway location did not include a press (which was sold to their printer), this space became a larger bookstore and cultural center. The Bookstore began hosing author talks and book signings. In 2000, Abril joined the digital world by launching www.abrilbooks.com

In 2015, the space next door opened up and, once again, Abril took on the opportunity to take over and create a space where they could officially host events, and shared it with Roslin Art Gallery. This is when things flourished. There was an event going on every week. The first Friday of each month hosted a film event presented by the Armenian Film Society. The last Saturday of each month hosted a music performance. And within these would be a few author talks and book signings. And, of course, art exhibits hosted by Roslin Art Gallery.

In 2020, the pandemic hit and Abril was forced to shut down. After a few months, it became difficult to remain in that space. Abril located to their third location on Chevy Chase Drive. Abril Bookstore has become the heart of the community of Los Angeles and we'll keep on pumping as long as the community and our language thrive.