Gift Giving: Some of My Favorite Independent Stores to Support This Holiday Season
Personal gifts can be big or small, cost a lot of money or just a few dollars. The main goal is to make someone feel thought of and appreciated. Of course homemade items (from all of you potters and bakers out there) are always extra special for the time you took to make the gift.
The next best thing is to be intentional about your selection and have a good story. “I bought this for you from the best store in my neighborhood.” Or “ I met the designer at an event and wanted to support their work.” Shop at businesses that have handmade items or look for something you know they love or collect.
Here are some of my favorite independent shops in the L.A. area:
Do you love Japanese minimalist design? Me too! Maybe you’ve seen photos from my many trips to Japan. Sometimes there are things you want to buy on a trip but you don’t have enough room in your luggage. For Japanese housewares, Kado has many fantastic gift options. Sori Yanagi pans, Hasami ceramics, Balmuda appliances, and loads of coffee and teaware. They also have a webshop (https://thehub-store.com/) to order online.
Hya https://hya.la
Earlier this year I traveled to Copenhagen and fell in love with Danish food and design. In L.A. my favorite Danish restaurant is Open Face Food Shop. Chef Lene Houck makes the best smorrebrod and salads… and don’t miss the Danish style hot dogs. (I want one right now!) Next door they have opened a beautiful shop that features Danish designs alongside Japanese products and locally sourced items that fit into this modern colorful style. Culinary items, tableware, shelves of pantry items, and Hay is the best place to buy the cutest gifts toys and books for kids. Go there. Shop and eat. I promise you will be as enchanted by all of it as I am.
Paper Plant https://paperplant.co
Friedia Niemura is my multi-hyphenate talented friend. An actress, model, stationery and card designer, and proprietor of the coolest tiny shop in Chinatown. And a big bonus that Thank You Coffee is set up inside, to caffeinate you while you shop. Look for stationery and office supplies from around the world with many items from Japan . I love the packaged letters sets with paper, envelops, and matching stickers. Look for a display of washi tape rolls, Toyo steel boxes, and Kaweco fountain pens… if you are feeling fancy. And as the name suggests they carry plants in cute vessels too.
Highlow Shop https://highlowstudio.com/journal/building-highlow-gift-shop
When designer Sonya Gallardo told me she was opening a gift shop in Torrance, I knew she was going to create something very special. As a longtime fan of her jewelry designs and with her many years working with Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung at Poketo, Sonya has a unique perspective to bring to creating an ideal shopping experience. Shop here for tableware by notNeutral, super cute tea towels, and jewelry designed by Gallardo… as well as childrens’ books and toys. And they highlight a featured artists- like the current framed work and a blanket by Lilian Martinez of BFGF.
Pygmy Hippo Shoppe https://pygmyhipposhoppe.com
This is the place for the cute and subversive and can’t find anywhere else items. Emi Avanessian carries new and vintage cards, jewelry, books and more. Her shop is a fun destination and a treasure trove of unique gift ideas. Shop here for vintage ashtrays, deadstock treasures, and mystery bags filled with a fun assortment of store favorites. Pick up one of Barbara Sueko McGuire’s irreverent cross stitch hoops. The jewelry case is filled with cufflinks and brooches, quirky necklaces, moodrings and more!
Carla Fresh Market https://www.carlasfreshmarket.com
The newest shop on this list is a local independent market in Highland Park. The brainchild of Ariell Ilunga, who was the market manager for the beautiful crated selection of prepared food vendors at the Hollywood Farmers Market for SEE_LA. A visit to Carla will show that you are ‘in the know’ about news places, supporting a new local family business, and be a great destination to find a gift for everyone on your list (and buy groceries for you house too). Shop for wine, tin fish, local jams, pickles, and sweets. These are the best gifts to bring when you are invited to a party- or for that person in your life who seems to already have everything -or say they need nothing. We all got to eat!
Central Library Gift Shop- The Library Story at the Central Library https://shop.lfla.org
Ok, if you know me, you know how much I love libraries. So much so that I love to visit libraries around the world and have a pact with a friend (no joke) to plan a world tour of the world’s most beautiful libraries. One of my all times favorites is right here in downtown LA. Not only is it fun to visit and see the historic side of the building and the newer wing built after the fire, (check out Susan Orlean’s book The Library Book to learn about this fascinating incident in history) but they also have one of the city’s best gift shops and it supports the Library Foundation. If you have a library card they validate parking (and if you don’t… go get one!!)
Barkeeper http://www.barkeepersilverlake.com
Yes, I know you can buy booze at some very well-known big box corporate stores, buy what kind of story is that? Head to barkeeper for bottles of their favorite spirits, a comprehensive selection of barware, and vintage glassware. Give a gift with fun info about the spirit, a book with some cocktail recipes, and the barware or glasses to serve it in. Awhile back I went to an Uncle Nearest tasting there and became a huge fan of the founder, Fawn Weaver. Lately I have been coveting a decanter in the shape of a deer from their large selection of vintage Jim Beam ones. Don’y miss the shelf of locally made Miracle Mile Bitters too.
