Shopping in Los Angeles
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A
Grand Central Market
The frenzied and sawdust-sprinkled Grand Central Market across the street has some fun nosh spots.
reviewed
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B
Universal City Walk
With flashing video screens, oversized facades and garish color combinations, City Walk hovers beside Universal Studios like a reject from the Blade Runner –meets– Willy Wonka school of architecture. Opened in 1993 as a shopping adjunct to the theme park, this outdoor mall evolved into a local hangout that can feel like a middle-school mecca on weekends. Its 65 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues offer a mix of mid- and lowbrow attractions, with low leading by a nose. Beyond the knickknack stores and chains, the new Dodgers Clubhouse (818-761-5677) stands out with its Dodgers-related clothing and accessories – including bats broken during games. The courtyard…
reviewed
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C
The Grove
This outdoor mall is one of LA’s most popular shopping destinations. Its recipe for success? Fill a faux Italian palazzo with 40 name-brand stores and restaurants, toss in a fountain, the Pacific Theatres and a sprinkling of celebrities, then top it off with a trolley rolling back and forth down the middle. PT Barnum would be proud. Check out the roof of the parking garage for stellar city views. Highlights include little-girl fave American Girl Place and grown-up-gal boutique Theodore. Parking free for the first hour; $3 for two to three hours.
reviewed
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D
Century City
A divine alfresco shopping mall, and it’s only a mile from Rodeo Dr. Godiva, Kenneth Cole and Abercrombie & Fitch are among the more than 140 mostly high-end stores anchored by Bloomingdales and Macy’s. New shops, restaurants and a dining terrace were added in 2005 as part of a long-term renovation. Parking free for three hours.
reviewed
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E
Two Rodeo
Most people shopping in Rodeo Drive gravitate to Euro-flavored Two Rodeo , a cobbled lane lined with outdoor cafés for primo people-watching. Tip: if Rodeo price tags make you gasp, head one block over to the more down-to-earth boutiques and chic chains (Lululemon to Jigsaw London) along Beverly Dr.
reviewed
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F
Central Plaza Chinatown
Of late, parts of Chinatown have received an injection of hipness, no more so than at Central Plaza , conceived as an unabashedly kitschy walking mall. Outposts of contemporary cool like Munky King designer toys and the Mountain Bar mix it up with incense-scented import bazaars, an endearing wishing well and the kookily noir Hop Louie restaurant and bar in a five-tiered pagoda. Across Hill St, the galleries and studios along Chung King Rd bring out art students and aficionados in droves on opening nights.
reviewed
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Horizons West
The sun won’t be setting on Horizons West in the immediate future. This landmark surf shop was granted a temporary reprieve from demolition after neighbors rallied the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission. Sharing a roof with tiny Zephyr skateboard shop, this scruffy corner was the hangout for the 1970s surfers and skate-rats chronicled in the movies Lords of Dogtown and Dogtown & Z-boys. Inside, rent a board ($25 for 24 hours) or browse the boardshorts, flip-flops and beachy tees packing the tiki-themed rooms.
reviewed
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H
Malibu Country Mart
Malibu, which hugs 27 spectacular miles of Pacific Coast Hwy, has long been synonymous with surfing, stars and a hedonistic lifestyle, but it actually looks far less posh than the glossy mags make it sound. Still, it's been celebrity central since the 1930s, when money troubles forced landowner May Rindge to lease out property to her Hollywood friends. Leo, Brangelina, Streisand, Cher and other A-listers have homes here and can often be spotted shopping at the villagelike Malibu Country Mart.
reviewed
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I
Cheese Store of Silver Lake
For indie-minded shopping, check out Silver Lake’s funky but fashionable Sunset Junction at the intersection of Santa Monica and Sunset Blvds. It’s a happily-not-hip little corner where sassy sundresses, one-of-a-kind kicks, local coffee, worldwide cheeses and low-key patio dining draw a laid-back neighborhood crowd. Worth a stop is the Cheese Store of Silver Lake. The massive Sunset Junction Street Fair draws multicultural crowds for bands, food and community mingling in late August.
reviewed
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J
Riviera Village
Shoppers unite! Shake off the chains that bind you along the charming sidewalks of Riviera Village, where 150 boutiques, specialty stores, restaurants and salons fill six bustling blocks, with nary a Gap nor B Dalton’s in sight. From the beachy stylings of Lisa Z (1901 S Catalina Ave) to the Tommy Bahama flair of Threads (1907 S Catalina Ave) to the precious PJs of Little Moon (1813 S Catalina Ave) you’ll find something you want to bring home.
reviewed
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K
Surfing Cowboys
Giddyup bro. Bring your lasso and your wallet to the funkiest purveyor of mid-century furniture and surf memorabilia this side of, well, anywhere. Surfing Cowboys is filled with vintage surfboards and skateboards, retro but comfy couches, historic beach photos and gently worn cowboy boots. It also has friendly staff members who are happy to show you around the eclectic mix. Just don’t hem and haw too long – turnover is pretty quick.
reviewed
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Wacko
There’s a present for every member of your dysfunctional circle at this eclectic, bursting-with-kitsch, garishly painted giftorium: dashboard Jesuses, tiki statues, soap-plant candles, and tomes on cult cinema. Staff loiter like bored British rockers but a fun Elvis section makes up for perceived indifference. For a low-culture immersion, wander back to the La Luz de Jesus gallery and its intriguing array of edgy, postpop art.
reviewed
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M
Hennessy + Ingalls
With its sleek shelves, snappy organization and eye-catching titles, Hennessey + Ingalls exudes a palpable cool. Approaching its 50th birthday, this indie favorite – which is dedicated to art and architecture – stocks everything from coffee-table books and fashion retrospectives to landscaping how-to tomes. If you happen to be looking for a gift for that hard-to-please artist in your life, this is the place to start.
reviewed
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N
Meltdown Comics & Collectibles
LA's coolest comics store beckons with indie and mainstream books, from Japanese manga to graphic novels by Daniel Clowes of Ghost World fame. Also here is the kid-oriented store-within-a-store called Baby Melt, with a great if smallish selection of offbeat books, clothing and toys. Look for Hello Kitty goods, Roman Dirge's mix-and-match Halfsies mini-figures, and reprints of Tin Tin in several languages.
reviewed
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O
Japanese Village Plaza
The funny-looking tower across 1st St from the JANM is a yagura, a traditional fire lookout tower typically found in rural Japan. It's the gateway to the Japanese Village Plaza , a modern outdoor mall with gift shops, restaurants and good people-watching. A few steps west, tucked into a hidden courtyard away from the street, is the Koyasan Buddhist Temple .
reviewed
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Fred Segal
This ivy-covered icon is really several high-end boutiques clustered under one impossibly chic but slightly snooty roof. Celebs circle for the latest from Jet, Jill Stewart and McQ, while those in the know (including savvy stars) arrive early for deep discounts at the September sale. Café and salon onsite. There’s also a store in Santa Monica (C4; tel: 310-458-9940; 500 Broadway).
reviewed
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Q
Decades & Decades Two
Industry stylists and celebs love Cameron Silver's knack for digging up rare '60s and '70s couture and accessories by such design legends as Pucci, Courrèges, Paco Rabanne and Chanel. His recently expanded style salon also includes Decades Two, where the focus is on barely worn contemporary styles that may include Jimmy Choo heels, Stella McCartney jackets, Prada totes and Marc Jacobs skirts.
reviewed
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R
Napoleon Perdis
A judge on Australia's Next Top Model, Napoleon Perdis has brought his 'star powder' to Hollywood where he's adding extra luster to Teri Hatcher, Paula Abdul and other famous faces. At his flagship store you can go color-crazy with samples displayed on mirrored tables or ask the non-snooty sales girls for some advice. There's another branch in the Westfield Shoppingtown Century City mall.
reviewed
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S
Small World Books
Look closely or you’ll miss Small World Books, tucked beside the overflowing patio of Sidewalk Café. Small but jam-packed – with requisite cat – this welcoming indie has an eclectic inventory reflecting the interests of Venice denizens: film, Eastern philosophy and travel, to name just a few. Vampires will appreciate the dark spookiness of the crammed mystery annex. Plenty of beach reads too.
reviewed
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T
Crossroads
Melrose between La Brea and Fairfax is resale city. At warehouse-sized Wasteland you could pocket an American Apparel tee along with a Prada bag and '70s polyester shirt for less than $50. Prices are lower and styles more contemporary across the street at Crossroads , which has premium denim (Seven, True Religion) and coveted Calvin, BCBG and other labels.
reviewed
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Whimsic Alley
Muggles love this magical store at 2717½, superbly designed to invoke visions of Diagon Alley, where Harry Potter and friends seem to be waiting just a portkey away. Flip through Hogwarts sweaters and capes at Haber & Dasher, find your wand at Phoenix Wands, or just poke around nooks overflowing with Harry Potter memorabilia and literature on piratology, dragons and wandmaking.
reviewed
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La La Ling
Hip babies and toddlers keen on making a fashion statement in kindergarten should drag their parents to this self-proclaimed 'baby lifestyle boutique' to stock up on camouflage pants, Darth Vader onesies and miniature Paper Denim & Cloth jeans. While you shop, your bambinos can take art, music and even language lessons to say 'merci beaucoup' for their cool new stuff.
reviewed
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Hollywood & Highland
The spark plug for the neighborhood's rebirth was Hollywood & Highland, a multistory mall marrying kitsch and commerce. The main plaza is designed to frame views of LA's most recognizable landmark, the Hollywood Sign, which was erected in the Hollywood Hills in 1923 as an advertising gimmick for a real-estate development called Hollywoodland.
reviewed
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Polka Dots & Moonbeams
Stylistas sing the praises of this sassy number where orange Juicy jackets mingle with lime Free the People tees. From up-and-coming designers to fashionable old faves, there’s something – bright sundresses, short shorts and spunky shoes – for every occasion. Check out the still-bursting-with-style vintage shop (Tel: 323-651-1746; 8367 W 3rd St) a few doors down.
reviewed
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Y
Kitson
Follow the fun, funky and fab to this green-and-white pop tart where moneyed sceney-boppers flock for up-to-the-second fashion. High-energy tunes will keep you flipping fast through hoodies, purses, shoes, and stacks and stacks of denim. For fashion-forward families there’s also Kitson Men (146 N Robertson) and Kitson Kids (108 S Robertson Blvd).
reviewed