Bodhi Tree Bookstore
An independent Los Angeles-area bookstore known for books on spirituality, world religions, metaphysics, psychology, philosophy, health, and personal development.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Bodhi Tree Bookstore was an independent specialty bookstore founded in Los Angeles in 1970. It began as the Bodhi Tree Book and Tea Shop and was established by Dan and Marj Morris, Stan and Fran Madson, and Phil and Elsa Thompson. The store took its name from the bodhi tree associated with the Buddhist tradition, under which Siddhartha Gautama is said to have attained enlightenment. Its motto was “Books to Illuminate the Heart and Mind.” The business was created at a time when books about Eastern religions, mysticism, occult traditions, consciousness, psychology, healing, and alternative spirituality were difficult to find in ordinary American bookstores. Bodhi Tree gathered these subjects in one location, first at 8585 Melrose Avenue in what became West Hollywood, California. When the business incorporated in 1972, it adopted the name Bodhi Tree Bookstore. Dan and Marj Morris later left the venture, while Stan and Fran Madson and Phil and Elsa Thompson formed Bodhi Tree Bookstore, Inc. in November 1972. During the 1970s, the store developed beyond a conventional retail outlet. It hosted talks, demonstrations, readings, and discussions involving spiritual teachers, authors, educators, musicians, and practitioners. Its stock covered Buddhism, Hinduism, Western esotericism, metaphysics, psychology, self-healing, tai chi, philosophy, and related fields. In 1975, it added a used-book operation after taking over an adjacent lease. By the end of the decade, the business occupied multiple structures, including a new-book building, a used-book building, and storage facilities. The property was purchased in 1979. Bodhi Tree became known for combining retail, hospitality, and community programming. Visitors could browse among plants, drink complimentary herbal tea, listen to subdued music, and attend events in an environment designed to feel more like a sanctuary or cultural gathering place than a conventional shop. In 1980, it began publishing the Bodhi Tree Directory, a guide to spiritual and community resources that was updated annually. The directory eventually covered more than 50 subject areas. A major renovation in 1982 added floor space, a second-story extension, improved the used-book building, and created a distinctive modernist complex. A sacred fig, or Ficus religiosa, grew in the rear of the property after being given to the store by a neighbor in the early 1970s. The location’s profile increased substantially after Shirley MacLaine described visiting the bookstore in her 1983 book Out on a Limb. The book’s 1987 television adaptation was partly filmed at the store, bringing Bodhi Tree attention from audiences beyond Los Angeles and strengthening its association with New Age and spiritual culture. The bookstore’s community role expanded in the 1990s and 2000s. It acquired an adjacent storefront in 1994 for readings, signings, workshops, and meetings. Programs included creative-development workshops, yoga and civilization courses, discussions of J. Krishnamurti’s work, satsang meetings, and sacred-poetry events. The store also participated in the Los Angeles Times Book Fair from its founding in 1996 and later maintained a presence at the West Hollywood Book Fair. Bodhi Tree published Bodhi Tree Book Review from 1991 through its final issue in 2002. The periodical included interviews, reviews, bestseller lists, and coverage of books, music, and video related to spirituality and personal development. At its height, individual issues reportedly reached a circulation of about 40,000 copies. In 2000, the store became the book supplier for Health World Online, handling orders and fulfillment for that service for a period. The business received civic recognition in 1994, when it was named Business of the Year by the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Co-owners Stan Madson and Phil Thompson received California State Senate certificates of recognition, and the City of West Hollywood named them Business Persons of the Year. In 2005, the city recognized Bodhi Tree as one of its oldest landmarks and a cultural treasure. Financial difficulties eventually affected the physical retail operation. The Melrose Avenue location closed on December 31, 2011. The brand continued under new ownership as an online bookstore, although the available reference material does not identify the subsequent owner or provide reliable current operating details. Bodhi Tree’s historical importance rests on its role as a specialist bookseller, event venue, information center, and community institution for Los Angeles’s spiritual and alternative-culture communities.
History
Bodhi Tree Bookstore opened on July 10, 1970, in Los Angeles as the Bodhi Tree Book and Tea Shop. Its founders were Dan and Marj Morris, Stan and Fran Madson, and Phil and Elsa Thompson. The founders selected a name associated with Buddhist enlightenment, reflecting the store’s focus on spiritual and philosophical literature. The original location was a converted Spanish-style residence at 8585 Melrose Avenue, in the area that later became West Hollywood. The store addressed a gap in the American book market. During the 1970s, mainstream bookstores generally carried limited selections on Eastern religions, mysticism, occult subjects, consciousness, alternative psychology, and self-healing. Bodhi Tree assembled these materials in a dedicated setting and quickly became a resource for readers pursuing spiritual and personal-development subjects. Dan and Marj Morris eventually left the enterprise, and Stan and Fran Madson and Phil and Elsa Thompson incorporated Bodhi Tree Bookstore, Inc. on November 30, 1972. From its first years, Bodhi Tree combined bookselling with public programming. Beginning in 1971, it hosted recurring Tuesday and Sunday events featuring authors, teachers, musicians, and spiritual practitioners. Presentations addressed subjects ranging from herbs and the body to Zen, meditation, ego, transformation, yoga, and esoteric traditions. This programming helped establish the bookstore as a meeting point for Los Angeles’s emerging spiritual community. The business expanded in 1975 when it added a used-book department in an adjacent building. By the late 1970s, the site included a new-book building, a used-book building, and storage structures. The property was purchased in 1979. A substantial renovation began in 1982 under architect Barry Gittelson. It enlarged the store, added a second story, improved the used-book premises, and created a recognizable architectural identity with rounded forms, a large circular front window, and a pyramid skylight. The bookstore gained national and international attention through Shirley MacLaine’s 1983 book Out on a Limb. MacLaine wrote about visiting Bodhi Tree and presented the visit as a significant moment in her life. The 1987 television adaptation, filmed partly at the store, brought additional visitors and media attention. Bodhi Tree consequently became strongly associated with New Age culture while continuing to stock broader material on religion, philosophy, psychology, health, and wisdom traditions. In 1980, the store began issuing the Bodhi Tree Directory, a periodically updated guide to teachers, events, organizations, and community resources. The directory grew to cover more than 50 subject areas. In 1991, the bookstore launched Bodhi Tree Book Review, a periodical containing interviews, reviews, bestseller lists, and coverage of books, CDs, and videos. It was initially quarterly and later semiannual. The publication ended with its 28th issue in fall 2002. The store’s physical and cultural footprint continued to grow. In 1994, it acquired an adjacent storefront at 8383 Melrose Avenue and converted it into a meeting and events space. The annex hosted author appearances, signings, workshops, courses, discussions, and spiritual gatherings. Programs included Artist’s Way workshops, Roger Weir’s long-form Yoga of Civilization course, Krishnamurti Foundation discussions, satsang meetings, and sacred-poetry performances. The bookstore also hosted many notable authors and teachers, including Julia Cameron, Paulo Coelho, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Terence McKenna, Caroline Myss, Andrew Weil, Marianne Williamson, and others. Bodhi Tree participated in the Los Angeles Times Book Fair from its beginning in 1996 through 2008 and maintained a booth at the West Hollywood Book Fair until its closure. In 2000, it handled online book fulfillment for Health World Online. In 2002, the store participated in the Community of Angels public-art project, displaying an artist-painted angel statue at the used-book building. West Hollywood recognized the bookstore as one of the city’s oldest landmarks and a cultural treasure in 2005. The store was also known for its resident cats, especially Little Girl, who was recognized by LA Weekly in 1998 as one of Los Angeles’s notable bookstore cats. These details reinforced the informal, community-oriented character of the premises. By 2009, the physical business was operating below financial break-even, according to the available reference material. The Melrose Avenue location closed on December 31, 2011. Under new ownership, Bodhi Tree continued as an online bookstore. The available sources do not establish the identity of the new owner, the current scale of operations, or whether the supplied website remains active. Historically, the brand’s significance lies in its unusual combination of specialty retail, publishing, event programming, and community information services.
- 2011
Physical store closes
[1]The Melrose Avenue location closes on December 31. The business continues online under new ownership.
- 2005
Recognized as a West Hollywood landmark
[1]The city formally recognizes Bodhi Tree as one of its oldest landmarks and a cultural treasure.
- 2002
Book Review publication ends
[1]Bodhi Tree Book Review ceases publication with its fall issue, number 28.
- 2000
Health World Online supply arrangement
[1]Bodhi Tree handles book orders and fulfillment for Health World Online for a period.
- 1996
Los Angeles Times Book Fair participation begins
[1]The bookstore becomes a founding participant in the Los Angeles Times Book Fair.
- 1994
Annex and civic recognition
[1]Bodhi Tree acquires an adjacent storefront for events and receives Business of the Year and other civic honors from West Hollywood institutions.
- 1991
Bodhi Tree Book Review launches
[1]The bookstore begins publishing a review magazine covering related books, music, video, interviews, and bestseller lists.
- 1987
Television adaptation increases visibility
[1]The television adaptation of Out on a Limb is partly filmed at the bookstore, contributing to its national and international profile.
- 1983
Store appears in Out on a Limb
[1]Shirley MacLaine describes visiting Bodhi Tree in her book, helping the store reach a much broader audience.
- 1982
Major architectural renovation begins
[1]A renovation designed by Barry Gittelson adds floor space, a second story, improvements to the used-book building, and the store’s distinctive modernist features.
Products and positioning
A specialist bookseller and community gathering place centered on spiritual inquiry, world religions, consciousness, metaphysics, psychology, philosophy, health, and personal transformation. The store positioned itself as an accessible information hub for readers, teachers, practitioners, and seekers rather than simply as a transactional bookstore.
Books · 1970
Spirituality and world-religion books
The core assortment covered Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Taoist, Sufi, and other religious and wisdom traditions, as well as comparative religion and spiritual practice. The store was known for bringing together specialized titles that were not widely available through ordinary general-interest booksellers.
Books · 1970
Metaphysics and esoterica
Bodhi Tree stocked literature on metaphysics, mysticism, occult traditions, consciousness, meditation, psychic subjects, and related forms of esoteric inquiry. This category contributed strongly to the store’s reputation as a leading New Age and alternative-spirituality bookseller in Los Angeles.
Books · 1970
Psychology, health, and personal development
The selection extended into psychology, self-healing, holistic health, creativity, self-improvement, tai chi, and personal transformation. These subjects connected spiritual practice with everyday wellbeing and helped the store serve a broad audience beyond formally religious readers.
Books · 1975
Used books
A used-book department opened in 1975 in an adjacent building. It became an important part of the physical complex, allowing customers to find older, specialized, and out-of-print works across the store’s spiritual, philosophical, psychological, and health-related subject areas.
Directory and publication · 1980
Bodhi Tree Directory
Beginning in 1980, the bookstore published an annually updated guide to spiritual teachers, organizations, events, practitioners, and community resources. The directory grew to more than 50 subject areas and reflected the store’s role as an information center as well as a retailer.
Magazine · 1991
Bodhi Tree Book Review
This review magazine ran from 1991 to 2002. It combined interviews with notable authors and teachers, short reviews, bestseller lists, and coverage of newly released books, CDs, and videos. It began as a quarterly and later became a semiannual publication.
Marketing campaigns
- 2002A Community of Angels
Los Angeles
Bodhi Tree participated in West Hollywood’s Community of Angels public-art project, which placed large, individually painted angel sculptures around Los Angeles. The store displayed Diane A. Curran’s Planetary Angel near its used-book building for several months.
Outcome. The project connected the bookstore with a broader civic arts initiative and extended its visibility beyond bookselling and spiritual programming.
Brand decisions
2011
Closure of physical location and continuation onlineStrategyBackground
The physical business was operating below financial break-even by 2009, and the Melrose Avenue operation ultimately became unsustainable.
Action taken
The physical store closed on December 31, 2011. Under new ownership, the brand continued as an online bookstore.
Aftermath
The closure ended the bookstore’s long-running West Hollywood retail and event presence while preserving the brand’s online identity. The new owner is not identified in the available sources.
2000
Online fulfillment partnershipStrategyBackground
Online retail created an opportunity to extend the bookstore’s operational capabilities beyond its physical location.
Action taken
Bodhi Tree became the official book supplier for Health World Online and processed orders, payment, packing, and shipping for a period.
Aftermath
The arrangement represented an early online-commerce extension of the bookstore’s specialist inventory and fulfillment services.
1994
Creation of an event and meeting annexStrategyBackground
The store’s author events, courses, and community activities had become a significant part of its identity.
Action taken
Bodhi Tree acquired the adjacent storefront at 8383 Melrose Avenue and converted it into a meeting room and workshop venue.
Aftermath
The annex supported near-daily programming and strengthened the store’s position as a spiritual-community center.
1991
Launch of Bodhi Tree Book ReviewProduct launchBackground
The bookstore sought to extend its role as a curator and publisher within the spirituality and personal-development book market.
Action taken
Staff created a magazine featuring interviews, reviews, bestseller lists, and coverage of related media.
Aftermath
The publication continued for 28 issues before ending in 2002 and reportedly reached a peak print run of approximately 40,000 copies per issue.
1982
Major store expansion and remodelStrategyBackground
Growing demand and the store’s expanding community role required additional space and improved facilities.
Action taken
The bookstore undertook a major renovation designed by Barry Gittelson, adding floor area, a second story, improved used-book facilities, and parking.
Aftermath
The project created the distinctive physical environment associated with Bodhi Tree during its most prominent decades.
1975
Addition of used-book retailStrategyBackground
An adjacent clothing store became available when its operator closed the business.
Action taken
Bodhi Tree assumed the lease and opened a used-book section.
Aftermath
The used-book operation became a permanent part of the bookstore’s multi-building campus.
1972
Incorporation and name changeStrategyBackground
The founders developed the original book-and-tea-shop concept into a formal bookstore business.
Action taken
Following the departure of Dan and Marj Morris, Stan and Fran Madson and Phil and Elsa Thompson incorporated the company as Bodhi Tree Bookstore, Inc.
Aftermath
The incorporated business continued operating under the Bodhi Tree Bookstore name for the remainder of its physical-store history.
Recent events
- 2011
Physical Bodhi Tree location closes[1]
Other
The bookstore closed its physical Melrose Avenue location on December 31, 2011, after more than four decades as a Los Angeles-area cultural and retail institution. The business continued online under new ownership.
- 2000
Bodhi Tree becomes Health World Online book supplier[1]
Other
The bookstore became the official book supplier for Health World Online for a period, receiving online orders, processing payment, and packing and shipping books.
- 1996
Bodhi Tree Bookstore participates in the Los Angeles Times Book Fair[1]
Other
Bodhi Tree was a founding and participating member of the Los Angeles Times Book Fair, maintaining that role until 2008.
- 1994
Bodhi Tree Bookstore receives West Hollywood civic honors[1]
Other
The bookstore was named Business of the Year by the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Co-owners Stan Madson and Phil Thompson also received state and municipal recognition for their contribution to local cultural and spiritual life.
Sources1 sources
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