Waste of time. I have read a number of lists that had this place as a must visit in LA. After visiting, I cannot fathom why. I have a friend who ends many conversations with the comment, "and that's why I need a time machine" I see her in a few days and wow I was thinking this was 'the' place to find a gift. How wrong I was. If this joint was in a tiny town that had been a tourist trap from 1950, it would be precious. The shop is dingy and worn. The dude behind the counter could not be bothered to help people, heck his phone was so riviting that I don't think he peered up once. The objects for sale were all silly and could have been amazing or fun if they had decent packaging and not looked like they were badly printed in a back room, dropped and handled by hundreds of dirty hands. This wasn't stuff intended to look old, it was badly worn by lookey loos. The leeches were cool. Everything else, make it at home yourself, it would look better and be cheaper.

Finally got to check this place out! There are so many creative/"ancient"/"futuristic" stuff in this shop! Smaller than I thought, one of the photo in the yelp album was misleading. It was a photo of a cafe, which belongs to a bookstore next door. Before you start complaining about the price for a jar of robot milk or dinosaur eggs or a victorian ipod, know that your money will be put to good use. This shop supports 826LA, "a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write." Some awesome stuff to be aware of: - the flyers pinned on the wall in the back - the hand-out flyers near the cashier - check the surveillance camera Found something "ancient" that reminded me how old I am: - VHS tape - Blank cassette tape

One of the most fun places in LA! Honestly this place is a gas. I had heard about it on the radio or on sites like Atlas Obscura but never understood what it was, until we visited a few weeks ago. Even after, I still don't know how to describe it. I guess you could call it a kitschy, cheeky, time-travel themed art installation. The store decor and items for sale have tons of gags, even down to the product labels. A lot of it is also really nice stuff - I like their selection of postcards, pins, and shirts. This place is a part of a non-profit that goes towards supporting children's writing, so I bought some stuff and it was actually very affordable. Parking was a bit of a hassle, but we did find a space in the public parking lot nearby.

This is a must visit place in Los Angeles. Every item is geared toward a time traveling clientele . All the merchandise is cleverly funny and would make an interesting gift for a friend, family member or yourself. And the bonus is that you will also be helping to educate children. The store is actually a facade for 826LA which is a non-profit that has free programs to help students improve their writing skills. They also publish some of the students work and sell it in the store. I once bought the most hilarious small book there written by the students. I always bring out of town guests there and look for gifts there when I need one. My favorite thing they have there are the donuts, "Fresh in 1985."

While not the most exciting road-side attraction in the world, I'm very glad this exists. It's more of an art exhibition than a convenience store, though you can purchase things. Next time you need a VHS tape or a donut from 1985... this is the place. It won't take you too long to see, but it's full or quirk. If you're like me and you're looking for things to see just to get your toddler out of the house for a moment... it's a place you can stop. Otherwise, it might not be worth the trip just for this if you're far away... but if you're close, FOR SURE check it out!!! Places like this don't tend to last super long, so we need to support it while it's here!

Great to have a convenience store available for all temporal possibilities. Sadly, the slushie machine is out of service. I returned the day before but it was still out of service. Yesterday is a very iffy concept when the entire timeline is at your fingertips. Minus one-star for the lack of clarity there, but plus one-star with the availability of Mammoth Chunks! Only physical location in the currently timeline to carry this! Brings me back to my childhood drifting the time-stream -- reminds me of my mom's cooking (well, what I ended up eating when my mom tried to cook). Also, a good selection of convenient parts for your time machine.

On the left side of a convenient store, a robot shakes hands with a caveman. On the right, a keyboard typing by itself rests on a desk. My curious feet have taken me into this store to grab a pack of gum. I gaze to a slushy machine with a sign that reads "Out of Order Come Back Yesterday", past the poster with facial hair styles throughout history, to the green walls of the studio with kids being tutored. The sign above the clerk reads "Time Travel Mart." The products are a bit off. I stumbled into 826LA. Excitedly, I looked around snapping shots to show my Boston 826 colleagues. Los Feliz and beyond, this place has character.

I could only spend five minutes here before it closed (I don't have a time machine, unfortunately) but I've never seen a shop so wondrously creative and charming. Every corner is packed with little blink-and-you'll-miss-it jokes and references, with tons of genuinely unique gag gifts that take the entire concept with admirable straight-facedness (medieval leeches, time travel sickness pills, a Deluxe Chubble). It's not your usual novelty tat - everything is designed with good wit and humour all over. I couldn't resist. Beautiful posters, too. And it's all for a good cause!

What an amazing store!!. So much to see and do here. Definitely a one of a kind store although there are two locations lol. Staff was friendly and informative. Let us roam around and watched us just laugh at nearly everything in the place. My son loved it and I think might have had a better time. The time travel slushies were broken on the day we went so we came back the day before and enjoyed one...gotta love time travel. If you do use the phone to travel, pick up a time travel survival pack to be safe...saved our skin a couple times now

The Time Travel Mart is home to Dave Eggers' 826 program - a center that provides under-resourced students with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills. The front part of the store has all the gadgets you need if you so happen to teleport back in time, including whale oil, leeches, and a lovely collection of stick-on mustaches. In the fridge, you can find writing samples from the kids in the program, next to the dino eggs. It's wonderfully quirky :)

We loved this little store. There were so many one of a kind gifts and the store's concept was very unique. For a nerdy fan of time travel, this was a perfect stop on our vacation. The cashier was excellent, very informative and didn't seem to mind me walking off with a shopping basket. ...we did return it after walking a couple blocks and noticing that I had something swinging in my hand. Thank you for the work you do, tutoring students. A very important cause!

Not for the boring at heart, this little mart offers anything you (or mainly, your kids/the kid in you) might need for a future or past trip - they even have relics like future nano bots and dinosaur eggs and such. Profits go to their parent company which runs and operates creative writing programs for students. Spend a few bucks, they make it go a long way! PS: they play by 2015 rules so you can use American cash or those retro plastic credit cards if need be.

Pretty cool place. TSA pulled my carry on bag for inspection because it looked like I had a bottle of pills in my bag. He removed the bottle of TK brand time travel sickness pills from the bag and ask "what are these?" With a straight face I told him "it says on the lable" he gave me an odd look, put them back and sent me on my way. That alone was worth the trip to the time travel mart! Great place. Worth a visit.

Located in the front of 826LA, this quirky market offers everything from posters and literary zines to fake mustaches and Viking helmets. I am not kidding you. This place is a fantastical quicky-mart of curiosities. All sale proceeds go towards the nonprofit tutoring & writing center located in the back. So you should feel good that the robot toupee you're going to buy is giving back to the kids.

Such a wonderful little gem. Staff is helpful and patient, and you can often fine yourself there looking over everything for 20+ minutes. There are so many items with each their own little gimmick. Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff is highly priced, and I escaped myself with just a sticker. Anyhow, I highly recommend you drop by even for just a look! You'll be amazed at what you find.

This place is obscure, creative, inventive, the right amount of different to be worth your time. Novelty gifts, fun decorations and staff that make you feel like, time travel is possible. Just simple fun, quirky.... FYI parking was a drag, very busy, trendy, gentrified area. But still stop in and say Hello, today, tomorrow, last week or in the future

Always wanted to come here since it's always popping up on my Google searches of unique places in Los Angeles. Kind of disappointing, was expecting the store to be bigger. Almost felt like this spot was more of a bookstore with some retro items. Did not really feel like I timed traveled. Take their survey and receive a free time travel sticker.

This was a clever idea. It probably wouldn't be a place I would go more than once but it was fun to see the labels they created for stuff you would find at most any souvenir shop. In the back, they have a writing workshop for kids and you can buy their little books. That is what's special about the place.

I accidentally caused a rift in the space-time continuum and frantically ran over looking for a repair kit. They had several options at very reasonable prices. I'll be more careful with my four dimensional motorbike now that I know the hazards, but it's good to know there's a local fix-it shop for backup.

Amazing place with dedicated people who value education and youth empowerment. The entire staff at 826 LA is deeply committed to serving the youth of the community by providing tutoring, writing workshops and other literary services. We need more places like these and less coffee shops in Echo Park.

This place is great! They have everything I need for my exotic travel needs all in one place! Why run around town preparing for your upcoming trip to Pangaea when you can get your robot milk and dinosaur eggs all in one place?! This really is your one-stop-shop for all your time travel needs!

Sounded good from web descriptions, but was terrible. Cramped little space with odd products marked "robot..."--like "robot milk" (looks a lot like milk), or "robot toupe" (steel wool). One or two clever jokes and a lot that would make Fozzy the Bear look like George Carlin.

It's another charming themed 826 shop, this time made to look like a convenience mart but with cheeky time-travel related goods and gift items. The area has some good vintage/ thrift shops one the street plus good local eateries, bars, and coffee shops. Parking lot out back!

This is such an amazing, wonderful shop. The staff is always in character, the products are amazing. It's great that the proceeds of this shop go to fostering the creative minds of teens who, without this program, won't get the opportunity to explore their potential.

I was so excited to visit this place and it was really cute, and I love that they do non profit work, but there really wasn't much to see. It is worth stopping by if you're in the area, but I wouldn't make a trip just to see it.

So fun and creative! Every single thing is themed down to the tiniest details. It's a very small store but you can spend a long time in there if you're paying attention! Amazing employees and all the sales help a great cause.

If you are around, visit this small fun store. It will give you a laugh about some things they have. Be aware it is a non profit organization to let students write, and it isn’t a full shop with tons of stuff.

All the proceeds support a nonprofit that hosts writing workshops and other writing stuff for kids! It's a fun quirky store designed to give your creative juices a little squeeze. Nice place to pick up a gift.

Fun and quirky place! A non-profit Time Travel Mart! ? Yep! It was more fun than we expected and we were glad to purchase some hilarious souvenirs to help the childrens writing workshops. …

This was completely a stop of shear interest. It was as strange and the peeps hanging outside. I think They could do so much more with this location. Have quartera for meter parking out front

Very unique store for interesting finds. I stopped by since it was listed on Atlas Obscura. It's setup like a gas station with the slushie machines, spinning postcard rack, fridge, etc.

Coolest place to buy funny gag-type gifts, and you're supporting a charity to boot. They're the storefront for a non-profit tutoring and writing center run out of the back of the shop.

Cute fun novelty store that supports youth reading and tutoring for kids who need it. Stop in for some laughs and get a souvenir -- it all helps out kids! Really fun and creative.

Cute little shop, the kids didn't like it so much but more for adults I think. Prices a little steep compared to other gift shops but worth a stop if you're in the area!

Whenever you are, they're already then. Proceeds of the store go towards teaching writing skills to young people. How can you go wrong with that. Store is hilarious too.

One of a kind place that you shouldn't miss. It is super fun just browsing the items and the store. They are doing good work in our schools. Go support them by visiting!

Fun place to inspire creativity and awe. Great place for unique gifts. Profits help fund the writing programs for public bschool students. Neat neighborhood and shops.

Interesting little retro shop. I thought there would be more items however the business is more of a training centre than shop. Ideal for retro gift shopping!

A unique destination worthy store and a non-profit? How could this not be 5 stars. I hope it is successful enough to upgrade to a bigger location some day.

Insanely friendly non-profit with a fun, unique storefront. All proceeds are donated to 826LA, a non profit writing and tutoring organization.

Really fun little shop. Funny time travel things for purchase and amusing photos. And it's all a front for a great cause-- helping kids learn!

I loved it so much that I'm going back again tomorrow! Great selection of odd gifts in a store littered with very creative details.

Fun, kitschy place if you're already in the neighborhood. Don't drive in just to see it, but it's worth a wander if you're nearby.

Nobody needs a store like that. The store is just for fun but it’s not even funny. Prices are too high for what you can get there.

It’s a cute idea but… lacking in actual items to purchase / enjoy. If you’re looking for “robot milk” though, this is the place.

The details are amazing in this place. So fun and quirky. It’s tiny, but totally worth a stop if you are ever in the area!

The guy behind the counter is cool. Interesting assortment of items, pretty creative. Check out the art installation.

This place really has everything for the past, present and future! It also features in the Zillionaires Board Game

clever, total commitment to the theme, satisfying merchandise, doing important work. And... 30% neural implants!

Curious little place, but really tiny without much to see, do, or purchase. I advise going back in 1850. …

If you ain't white or not a hipster be prepared to get stalked around or stared down. Very uncomfortable visit.

Very cute, very clever. The items you can purchase are a little pricey, but they money goes to a good cause.

You need ALL this stuff for time travel!!! I bought a dinosaur egg!!! If it hatches I'll update youguys!

My new fave spot in LA it's fun it's quirky and proceeds all go towards a creative writing non profit!

This cute shop has all your time-travel needs and supports 826LA, a non-profit writing center.

Super relaxed great place to spend the afternoon. Lots of food options. Bring cash

Fun novelty gag store as a front for kid's writing workshops! Great place.

This place is awesome, and they have a great mission

Good chai latte, be aware they only have box water

If you're in the area, definitely check it out