Posts Tagged ‘Boutique’
Interview with Grace Ellay Owner
Since we moved around the corner from Grace Ellay in Silver Lake, I’d been warily eyeing the boutique. I knew if I ventured inside, I’d wind up buying something. Grace Ellay had that look. The look that said: money is going to disappear from your wallet the minute you walk in because you’re going to see things you can’t live without. And when I visited Grace Ellay, I did purchased something, but it didn’t put as much of a dent in my wallet as I expected! The prices are remarkably lower than comparable boutiques, but the quality is super high. The owner, Ramey Arnold, has a great eye for unique clothing, jewelry and art. Ramey was super helpful and friendly, and even agreed to answer some questions about Grace Ellay and her experience owning a boutique in Silver Lake. Check it out!
Take Sunset: When did you open Grace Ellay?
Ramey Arnold: Grace Ellay opened in September 2007, and I have loved every single moment since.
Take Sunset: Why did you want to open your own boutique?
Ramey: I dreamed of opening my own business for almost ten years. I let the dream change and evolve until it took the right shape. Fundamentally, I knew I wanted to open a place that would attract like-minded people. I wanted all of the right elements to be involved, everything that I love: fashion, art, accessories, people, good conversation, wine…
Take Sunset: How would you describe Grace Ellay?
Ramey: I would describe it as a friendly and fashionable neighborhood gem. It’s a place to stop by and chat, pick out clothes that you look and feel good in, fall in love with a piece of art or an accessory, grab a gift for a friend, or just a treat for yourself. I love boutique shopping. So, I really wanted to give people a more affordable boutique option than they are used to. You know, go ahead, treat yourself and don’t feel guilty!
Sirens and Sailors in Echo Park
Sirens and Sailors is located in little Victorian bungalow right off Sunset in Echo Park. The boutique is owned by Jennifer Phillips and frequented by stylists looking to pick up pieces from both LA and international designers, like Grey Ant and Vivienne Westwood.
If you’re looking for unique, beautiful clothes, this is your spot. There are new and vintage items and a small selection of men’s clothing. Sirens and Sailors also carries shoes and amazing accessories. (I’m currently dying over a few of their necklaces.) Plus, they have little odds and ends like Crazylibellule Perfume Sticks and Cupcake Lipgloss.
Sirens and Sailors
1104 Mohawk St. (Sunset Blvd.)
(213) 483-5423
Interview with Bobbie Boutique Owner
Newly opened Echo Park boutique, Bobbie, carries cool, affordable lines like Mink Pink, Motel, BB Dakota, Jack by BB Dakota, and more. Bobbie’s owner Kate Moore was sweet enough to chat with Take Sunset about Bobbie, why she decided to open a boutique in Echo Park, and some of her favorite spots in the area.
Take Sunset: When did you open Bobbie?
Kate Moore: November 27, 2009.
TS: Why did you want to open your own boutique?
Kate: I had been a buyer/manager for four years at a store called Wolfgang in Florida. At 21, I decided to quit and move to Los Angeles alone to kind of do the whole get as far away from home as possible thing. After not working and living in downtown LA for about a year, I decided I missed the shop life, but I did not miss working under someone. So I decided to make my own shop, and here I am.
TS: How would you describe Bobbie?
Kate: Bobbie is affordable fashion forward clothing for everyone. Bobbie has something for everyone, and pieces that are versatile so you can wear them more than one way. I also try to get new stuff in frequently so that people have something new to look at every time they come in.
TS: Why did you want to open a boutique in the Echo Park/Silver Lake area? Read more…
Interview with Oou Owner Nina Galbert
While doing a little last minute holiday shopping, I popped into Oou in Los Feliz. I had been to the shop a couple times before, but honestly I try to keep my shopping to a minimum because I’m bad at browsing. When I shop, I like to shop. Oou has a fantastic mix of reasonably priced new items, vintage finds and higher-end pieces. It’s the perfect spot to find something special–a cute dress for a night out, an interesting piece of jewelry, or a vintage top. I ended up snagging a ridiculously cute Marc Jacobs lookalike handbag for $70 on my “holiday” shopping trip. The bag is gorgeous! And I hooked up an interview with Oou owner Nina Galbert.
Take Sunset: When did you open Oou?
Nina Galbert: I opened Oou with a former business partner August 8, 2000. So oou has been around for about 91/2 years! Hard to believe that it has been that long.
TS: Why did you want to open your own boutique?
Nina: I moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco and had dabbled a bit in retail. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I suppose I’ve always wanted to have my own business. I love clothing so my own clothing shop made perfect sense!
TS: How would you describe Oou?
Nina: Oou to me is really reflective of how I (and many of my friends) approach fashion. It’s an eclectic mix of contemporary clothing with vintage, masculine/feminine and high and low prices.
TS: Why did you want to open a boutique specifically in the neighborhood of Los Feliz? Read more…
Echo Park Boutique: Luxe De Ville
Luxe De Ville has been a favorite boutique of Echo Park locals and those outside the neighborhood since it opened in 1996. It has tons of great jewelry from local and independent designers, like Erika Weiner pictured above. I own a few of her pieces, and I love them to death. Luxe De Ville also carried amazing sunglasses, shoes, and lots of vintage and designer clothing–men’s stuff too.
Some of the merchandise is a little pricey but there’s always a sale rack, so there’s something for every price range. Luxe De Ville has a large selection of merchandise and they get new clothes in frequently, which is great if you like to check in regularly and don’t want to see the same stuff on each visit.
The staff at Luxe De Ville is very laid back and will let your browse without being pushy. They’re also friendly and helpful, especially Oskar Delacruzs, the owner of the shop. He will help you put together a hot outfit!
Luxe De Ville
2157 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 353-0135
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12 pm-7 pm
Sun: 12 pm-5 pm
Una Mae’s In Los Feliz
I used to shop at Una Mae’s in Wicker Park, before I moved from Chicago, so I felt right at home when I saw that there was an Una Mae’s in my new neighborhood in Los Feliz. Una Mae’s is a super cute boutique and a great place to spend time browsing or trying stuff on. The salespeople are nice and helpful, but not overly pushy (which I hate more than anything), they will leave you alone to spend an hour poking though every pile of stuff, as I often do. Una Mae’s is not huge, but they manage to pack in a lot of great merchandise. Just like in Chicago, they have a nice variety of colorful dresses, jeans, super soft t-shirts, beautiful jewelry, and they even carry men’s clothes.
There carry a mix both vintage and new merchandise, and the prices range from kinda pricey to sale rack, so there is something for everyone.
Una Mae’s also has handmade greeting cards from independent and local artists along with amazing smelling candles, which I resisted buying the last time I was in. I am still thinking about those candles; I think I need to make a trip to Una Mae’s!
Una Mae’s
4651 Kingswell Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-6137
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