Some two decades ago, a bewildered looking bunch of German tourists were totally lost trying to find “Malibu.” They were in a daze between the supermarket and drug store on Malibu Road until they stumbled upon the Malibu Newsstand. There, they discovered the ancient words of wisdom and saw the writing on the wall. The stand’s ever-clever chalkboard had these simple words, “Number one most common asked in question in Malibu: Where is Malibu? Answer: You’re here!”
The chalkboard at the newsstand (much like the board at the Reel Inn) has a new saying daily and, while sometimes cryptic, the writing always delivers a smile.
Owner of the newsstand Nathan Schields says the literary treasure opened more than 20 years ago by a woman who wanted a place where people could get magazines and papers without having to drive all the way into town.
Schields probably knows the place better than anybody, having started working at the newsstand when he was a student at Pepperdine. It is worth noting that Schields is a real paper guy.
“For me, computers are useful, but I just don’t associate them with downtime,” he shared. Like a dying breed, he enjoys the tactile touch of a magazine or newspaper and finds it more relaxing for winding down after staring at a screen all day long. He also loves the neighborly feel of the newsstand. He knows customers not only by name, but he also knows their kids, their dogs and their preferences for publications.
Seven-year employee and literary lover Chris Sorensen shared his sentiments about working at the newsstand.
“It’s one of the most beautiful corners in the world and to share crossword information with people like Rob Reiner … it’s a thrill,” Sorensen said. “You get such a great and diverse range of people.”
While he says the newspaper business is struggling due to Internet, Android and iPhone competition, as well as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, according to Schields, “magazine sales remain steady.” He added, “there’s other challenges as well.” From his immaculately maintained newsstand at Colony Plaza, he’s seen many people come and go.
“The rents are getting so high,” he said with a shrug, gazing at world-famous celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s long-shuttered Granita restaurant, which stands like a phantom from days gone by.
But the Malibu Newsstand has withstood many surrounding store openings and closings and maintains a vast selection of publications, with something for every taste, from Scientific American and National Geographic to The Economist, Playboy, Interview, The Robb Report and Vanity Fair. You want The New York Times? Got it. National Enquirer? Done.
If you like to indulge on occasion, there’s Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Wine Spectator, Food and Wine, Grilling and Bon Appetite, which you will find located next to The Consumer’s Guide to Better Health.
There’s also a vast array of foreign publications from Hola to Hello, La Opinion and Gente.
“We love it,” local hotel manager Scott Margot said. “Our guests love the selection and so do we.”
Malibu Newsstand customers and any lost German tourists can comfort themselves with the latest edition of Bunte and Der Spiegal, French travelers can kick back with a copy of Paris Match and British residents and visitors can relax with the newest issue of British Country Life.
Who knew life would hold so many options? At Malibu Newsstand, it does. For Schields, it makes it all worthwhile.
“I love coming into work here,” he said. “I feel lucky to work in such a beautiful place and have such great support from the local community.”
The Malibu Newsstand is located at 23717 Malibu Road. For more information, call 310.456.1519.
