The new owners were Barry and Karen Mason, a straight Jewish couple, who for 30 years ran what would be an iconic part of the gay scene in LA. The store opened in the 1960s, but in the early 80s, the owner was having financial difficulties, and one of their merchandise distributers took the opportunity to take over. Circus of Books are a couple of stores in the West Hollywood and Silver Lake neighborhoods of Los Angeles that specialize in gay pornography.