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Beverly Hills: Fashionphile
If glamour and glitz is your thing, duck into this handbag consignment business with shelf after shelf of limited-edition, gently worn luxury bags: Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès. It turns out that the term “bargain” is relative in Beverly Hills: Even secondhand, many items still have four-digit price tags.
• Accessories
• Closed Sundays
• 9551 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA; 310/279-1136
• www.fashionphile.com -
Downtown: Fugetsu-do Confectionery
This favorite is one of the oldest stores in Little Tokyo, serving intricate and colorful Japanese-style sweet treats. Don’t miss the mochi (pounded rice) and shaved ices in flavors like strawberry and lime. The chocolate mochi with chocolate filling is also a must-try.
• Specialty foods
• Open daily
• 315 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA; 213/625-8595
• www.fugetsu-do.com -
Pasadena: Gold Bug
Tim Burton would love the whimsical collection of artist-crafted oddities, like chandeliers made from emu eggs, taxidermy gone wild, and unusual jewelry. Expect such curious objects d’art as a pair of chipmunks wearing jewels and gothic crowns.
• Accessories
• Open daily
• 22 E. Union St., Pasadena, CA; 626/744-9963
• www.goldbugpasadena.com -
Santa Monica: The Green Life
Stop by for Amenity Home pillows made of a hemp and organic cotton blend, and stuffed with Organic Kapok or fiber from recycled plastic bottles. Modern screen patterns in earthy colors are printed with nontoxic water-based dyes. And they’re stylish to boot.
• Home décor
• Closed Tuesdays
• 2409 Main St., Santa Monica, CA; 310/392-4702
• www.thegreenlifecostore.com -
Long Beach: Meow
Find reconditioned cashmere sweaters for less than $50, felt hats, and Risky Business-era Ray-Bans. Even the decor is retro, with salvaged display fixtures from Long Beach icons like Steak-O-Rama. Some of the inventory comes from old store stock so items are in great condition.
• Women’s clothing / Men’s clothing / Vintage
• Open daily
• 2210 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, CA; 562/438-8990
• www.meowvintage.com -
Santa Monica: Natural High Lifestyle
This boutique proves that your clothes can be as organic as your produce. They use only natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo for their chic but casual clothing and accessories line. Pick up a biodegradable jute yoga mat or even a fair-trade balsa wood surfboard from Ecuador. The shop is outfitted with bamboo floors and reclaimed-wood display racks.
• Women’s clothing / Men’s clothing / Accessories
• Open daily
• 2400 Main St., Santa Monica, CA; 888/515-3866
• www.naturalhighlifestyle.com -
Long Beach: Open
The owners hand-select the used inventory to cater to the artsy crowd. Pore through sections like “Short Attention Span Fiction” or back issues of architectural-design magazines. You might even find a first edition of Fast Times at Ridgemont High by Cameron Crowe.
• Books
• Closed Mondays
• 2226 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, CA; 562/499-6736
• www.thestoryofopen.com -
West Hollywood: Plastica
Sleek and colorful toys appeal to shoppers of all ages. Be sure to check out their Egg Bird Feeders that come in a rainbow of colors. The store’s inflatable Rody toy is especially popular for young children.
• Toys
• Open daily
• 8405 West Third St., Los Angeles, CA; 323/655-1051
• www.plasticashop.com -
Long Beach: Xcape
This retro shop features mid-century and Danish modern furniture including credenzas, lounge chairs and Turner chairs. They also refurbish patio furniture.
• Furniture
• Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
• 2236 E. Fourth St., Los Angeles, CA; 562/433-9911
• www.xcapemodern.com -
Chinatown: Realm
Shop for delicate ceramic objects d’art and hand-painted bone-china tea sets. You can also choose from a bounty of tableware, porcelain hand painted vases and Chinese-themed books.
• Home décor
• Open daily
• 425 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA; 213/628-4663
• www.realmhome.com -
West Hollywood: Reiss
With stores across the globe, Reiss is known for its elegant, detail-oriented clothing lines. Shop for candy-hued party dresses, luxurious outerwear, and charming necklaces.
• Women’s clothing / Men's clothing
• Open daily
• 145 N. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; 310/276-0060
• www.reissonline.com -
Chinatown: Super Home Mart
Wander long aisles of ceramic dishes in traditional Chinese blue-and-white and floral themes, colorful bowls, pots and pans, knives and cleavers, and utensils for every kind of cooking—at prices that hover around wholesale. They also now offer Asian groceries.
• Home décor
• Open daily
• 988 N. Hill St., Ste. 101, Los Angeles, CA; 213/628-8898 -
Pasadena: Zinnia
You’ll find materials and tools for artists, scrapbookers, and other creative types. The store also offers classes like a vintage tin doll workshop.
• Arts & crafts
• Closed Mondays
• 1024 W Mission St., South Pasadena, CA; 626/441-2181
• www.zinnia.biz
