READ Books, a cozy used-book shop that has become a staple in Eagle Rock, says it has to pack up and go after its landlord more than doubled the rent. Co-owners Jeremy Kaplan and Debbie Schiffiler say the increase, over 130%, pushed the monthly bill to about $2,805 and left them with little real choice other than to start scouting for a new location. While they search, the pair is rallying nearby merchants to push back against what they see as a wave of displacement.
Kaplan told LAist that the building was sold and that he was first given 30 days' notice before the steep rent jump. With pro-bono legal help and outreach from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office, he said he managed to secure a 90-day window instead. Kaplan also told LAist he is building a coalition of local businesses and activist groups and has contacted state lawmakers about stronger protections. He estimates that roughly a dozen nearby shops could be at risk of shutting down because of similar rent hikes.
State Law Gives Small Tenants More Notice
California’s Commercial Tenant Protection Act, SB 1103, extended some residential-style notice rules to certain small commercial tenants. Under the law, landlords must provide qualified commercial tenants at least 90 days' written notice for rent increases of more than 10%, and at least 30 days for smaller increases. The statute also added new transparency requirements for building operating costs and limited when those expenses can be passed on to tenants. As set out in the bill text, those changes took effect in 2025: SB 1103.
Legal Aid Can Buy Time, but Not Cap Rents
Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at the pro-bono legal nonprofit Bet Tzedek, told LAist that SB 1103 mainly gives qualified tenants more time to react, but it does not create any form of commercial rent control. Outside of negotiation and limited legal strategies, options are slim. Segura said her program often works to secure longer leases or better terms, when possible, yet many small businesses still struggle to absorb sudden jumps in rent. That is why Kaplan sought pro-bono help to stretch his timeline and explore every alternative.
Part of a Wider Pattern in L.A.
READ Books is far from alone. Independent retailers and used-bookstores around the region have been pushed to the brink this year, including a sprawling used-book shop that had to search for a new home after its landlord opted to sell the property, as reported by CBS Los Angeles. Community advocates argue that losing long-established shops chips away at neighborhood character and local jobs while also shrinking retail diversity. Kaplan says he plans to keep the shelves full for as long as he can, even as he looks for an affordable space and keeps pressing lawmakers and neighbors for practical support.
