(jbcurio/ Creative Commons)

As local radio station KCRW 89.9 broadcasted from the store all day long, a myriad of people came to appreciate the store's solid and unique presence. Since its first opening in Berkeley, California in 1990, Amoeba Music has been a popular music and movie outlet. The store not only sells music, but also frequently hosts free live shows and signings. 

After perusing the shelves upon shelves of albums and even cassettes, watching the diverse group of customers around me, that I started to recall my own fondest memory with Amoeba.

It was my first time at the Hollywood store, and my friend and I found ourselves completely lost in a sea of old and new records and posters. I picked up Britney Spears' first album, "Baby…One More Time," and recalled playing on repeat it in my portable CD player on long road trips. It's funny how a piece of music can hold so many memories. So many associations. 

After finally narrowing down our choices of albums to buy, we went to the cashier, who said nonchalantly, "You staying for the show tonight?"

I didn't know what she was talking about.

"Cold War Kids. They're playing here tonight. It's free. It's written on the marquee outside!" 

I looked to my friend, only to find the same look of disbelief that I had shared on her face. We loved Cold War Kids. We had never seen them live. I don't think that that excitement emcompassed what we were feeling.

A couple purchases and one speedy Umami Burger later, we were standing behind a Jazz/Blues CD shelf and looking straight into the eyes of the indie rock band's lead vocalist, Nathan Willett. I just remember smiling, because all I could think about was how this is how I imagined LA before I moved here. It was a city of thriving culture, with exiting, memorable moments behind every corner. 

So Happy Birthday, Amoeba Hollywood: and here's to the next 10.

Reach writer Natalie Morin here. Follow writer Natalie Morin on Twitter.