Larry Maltz, the proprietor of The Last Word on 3925 Walnut Street, is more than just your average store owner. He is also a Dobro artist, carpenter, beard grower and father. Did somebody say Renaissance man? No, nobody said that. But he does have a cool beard and a great store, one of which took nine years to plan; I'm guessing it's the beard.
How long has the store been here?
We opened up in June 2002.
What are your hours?
We are open everyday, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sometimes we are open later than that, especially on weekends we might be here from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. if it's busy.
What do people come in to buy at midnight?
Anything. I guess it is some impulse buying, but you would be surprised how many people ask me for a specific book at quarter to twelve in the evening, and if we have it they are really happy, and we often do.
What did you do before opening the store?
I worked in a bookstore for 10 years.
Did you always know you wanted to open your own store?
Within about two weeks of working [at the bookstore]. So for the next nine years I planned it.
Tell us about this sitting area.
We had voting machines here last week, but people come back here and use the space for various things. We have a knitting circle on Tuesday nights, poetry readings on Thursday nights. We've had all kinds of spoken word and events. There is a games club that comes from time to time. Kids do homework there.
Did you build these shelves?
I built every shelf in here by myself. I built the front counters, the window display, just about everything in here.
What do you feel the store adds to the community?
Well, I wanted to open up a bookstore and I wanted to open one in a neighborhood where it was needed. There weren't any good used bookstores around here that delved into nothing but good used books. I've lived in this neighborhood for twenty years, so I knew this was the place. It took me a while to nail down the exact spot.
Where do you get these books from? Student donations?
Well, nobody donates, they sell them. I guess about half [from students]. A lot of times I go out to look for books, almost everyday. I went to a book sale Saturday morning, a thrift shop this morning, yard sales if they are around.
What's your favorite book?
People always ask me that and I don't have an answer. I have so many favorites; I read like crazy.
Do you have a favorite genre?
I probably read as much fiction as non-fiction. As far as non-fiction, I read anything from history to biographies. I just read anything. That's part of why I love this so much. Somebody will come in today with a box of books and I will see something I never saw before and I will take it home and read it. I can't tell you what it's going to be today.
If there was to be a biography written about you, what author would you want to write it?
Well, John Kennedy Toole is dead - he wrote A Confederacy of Dunces, it's what I think my life is like sometimes. Wow, I don't know. I guess either James Joyce or Charles Bukowski.
What do you do outside of the bookstore?
I play music in a bluegrass band. I play a Dobro, which is a slide guitar. I do that a couple nights a week.
Where do you play?
We often play Thursday nights at 45th and Locust. There is a place called Fiume, on the second floor. We play there most Thursdays.
What's the name of the band?
Well, right now they are calling us the Flat Possom Boys, although now there are a few people leaving and new coming in. We might get another name.
What do you do outside the band and the store?
I have family and stuff. I have daughters. My big girl just turned 12.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Right here.
How about 20?
Might still be here. I'd like to be here. I'm perfectly happy and perfectly content. If I'm not here I will probably be doing the same thing someplace else.
How do you feel about your relationship with the University City community?
It's a great community. They certainly support us. So no complaints about that. There are a lot of books in this neighborhood, and a lot of readers.
Anything you want to say to the Penn community?
Stop in and buy a book. Just come by. If you haven't been here yet, at least come in and check us out.
