Not so long ago, there were more than a dozen legendary independent bookstores in Santa Monica and just over the border in Brentwood (i.e., Duttons). All but a handful of them are gone now.

Among the departed literary troves are the fully peerless Duttons and the fully radical Midnight Special, along with a dozen other splendid assemblies of books of every sort.

Now word has come that Arcana, which has been a primary purveyor of fine new, out of print and rare books on photography, art, fashion, design, architecture and cinema since 1984, is decamping. For Culver City.

It’s been on the Third Street Promenade since before it was the Promenade – 28 years.

It will be open Thursday and Friday only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – your last chance to explore its particular riches – at 1229 Third Street. 90401. 310-458-1499.

During March, you can console yourselves with shopping at the Arcana
website or by phone to quench your bibliographic hankerings. sales@arcanabooks.com and www.arcanabooks.com

Arcana’s spacious new Johnston Marklee-designed digs will be located in the historic Helms Bakery at 8675 Washington Boulevard, Culver City 90232. Details about its grand re-opening will be forthcoming.

Its longtime quarters on the Promenade will henceforth be occupied by Tesla, a very hot, very expensive electric car. And so it goes in Santa Monica 2012 – there go the books, here come the cars.