A Venerable Newsstand Endures, but Is No Longer 'All-American'

In an age where people are more likely to turn to their computer, iPad or Kindle screen than turn the pages of a magazine, All American Newsstand in Encino and its two sister locations in Woodland Hills and Hollywood are staying alive by offering more than the usual smattering of daily newspapers and weekly tabloids.

Alongside staples like the Los Angeles Times and People magazine, shoppers will discover a slew of foreign titles that even the keenest Web surfer may not consider. British Vanity Fair and Glamour offer a peak into the lifestyles of our friends across the pond. French Vogue and Paris Match sit side by side and beckon with their je ne sais quoi. Spanish Cosmopolitan and Glamour are bright and inviting, while a juicy selection of foreign tabloids lines the shelves.

At this point, All American Newsstand is no longer "all-American" in its selections. But the newsstand itself is rooted in American tradition, and the worldly selection doesn't cater to foreign speakers alone. Magazine enthusiasts don't necessarily have to read a publication's content. The photography is often intriguing enough.

The "Valley's Largest" newsstand, as the retro sign proclaims, also carries a staggering number of crossword puzzles and game books that rival the selection of any online marketplace. Underground zines such as Razorcake, lesser-known music mags such as Death & Taxes and a strategically stocked section of filmmaking magazines can also be found.

Though weeklies such as US and Star continuously top the stand's best-seller list, the shelves of international magazines, newspapers and periodicles have helped keep the business alive.

"We are able to stay open for now, but we are not sure for how long," said Rene Portillo, a newsstand employee. Portillo says that sales have dropped 50% from four years ago, when he began working behind the counter.  Magazine sales far outweigh newspaper sales, undoubtedly due to the continual and rapid updates on news websites.

Portillo sees the same loyal customers day after day, week after week. They are neighborhood regulars popping in for their favorite read, a soft drink or a pack of gum. All American Newsstand's conspicuous location, on the corner of Ventura Boulevard and Newcastle Avenue, helps drive sales.

For some, the quality and allure of glossy paper will never compare to the glow of a computer screen.

"Online news is more immediate, but there's something about having the actual magazine and being able to turn the pages," says Zack Trunck, a weekly newsstand customer who works in public relations. Trunck explained that editorial spreads in fashion magazines translate better on magazine-sized, high gloss paper when compared to "a tiny image on a computer screen." Though magazine websites regularly feature photography, the quality and size of the images vary depending on the reader's computer, and the essence of the spread can be lost. Online image quality also suffers for photography-centric publications such as National Geographic.

Though the paperboy is practically folklore and newsstands are fading, All American and its sister locations offer diehard magazine fans a selection and a quality that the Internet has yet to replace.