Although Abbot Kinney Boulevard’s wheel of cool may be making its turn towards the global — Roots, Scotch & Soda, Lucky Brand, Aesop, and Velvet by Graham & Spencer are just a few of the international chains recently opened along its gentrifying stretch — Venice’s main street still fronts plenty of the indie cred and quirky, homegrown charm that drew L.A. scenesters to it in the first place. Here are five of its must-stop shops, from new design-driven boutiques to the standard bearers of the ’hood.
Just opened this May, Left House bucks the big-name chain trend with its multi-store concept — brainchild of West Hollywood’s H. Lorenzo— in which four local brands join forces under one roof in a clapboard cottage near Venice Boulevard. The four “brand atelier” showrooms each have a different design and vibe, from the white cubbies and raw workspace of Westbrook Maker milliners to the Native American-inspired yellow and red walls of H.O.W.L. (Handle Only With Love), known for their ethereal boho jewelry. Colorful casualwear from Kapital and beaded-leather accessories from M. Cohenround out the offerings.
1629 Abbot Kinney Blvd
424-238-8382
A pop-up that set down permanent roots this summer, urban outdoor outfitter Ilan Dei Venice’s raison d’être is to get you outside — and keep you there — in high-design style. Whether you need a red-corded geometric lounge chair or a vibrant green Gainey ceramic bird feeder for your garden, or a mod cone-shaped fire pit to warm your next dinner party, or an Xtra Cycle cargo bike to get you there, owner/designer Dei’s eponymous furniture line and curated selection of like brands reflect the epitome of modern SoCal outdoor lifestyle.
1650 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-302-9222
Satine Convenience Store, which opened in late June 2012 as an offshoot of Mid-City's Satine Boutique, represents all that is cool about this stretch of Venice indie boutiques. Local graffiti artist Jules Muck spray-painted the facade, and there's a garden and greenhouse out back for alfresco hang time. Inside, an overstuffed leather chair and back issues of Japanese fashion mag Spur encourage lounging. Wares on offer include Jen Kao frocks, Rick Owens skirts, and Japanese goodies such as faux bois anime iPhone covers and kawaii dolls.
1508 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
310-450-6218
Boho brand Burning Torch chose Abbot Kinney for its first brick-and-mortar store opening in mid-June 2012. The 1,000-square-foot rustic-chic shop sits in the same 1925 building that Muhammad Ali once trained in and where former Jefferson Airplane member Lee Michaels had a recording studio. Designer Karyn Craven sells vintage eyewear, furniture, and clothing along with her line of ethnic print dresses, leather bombers, and linen jumpsuits.
1627 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
310-399-1920
When Taku and Keiko Shinomoto moved from Tokyo to L.A., they opened Tortoise Gallery and later Tortoise General Store. Both are filled with art, home goods, books, and jewelry that foster what they call "tortoise life," meaning a grounded and well-considered way of being. Clean lines, muted palettes, and natural materials abound. You might find earthenware pots or polished cherry bark canisters, avant-garde ceramic pigs, or geometric crayons that are more like sculptures than writing implements.
1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
310-314-8448
From new openings to the standard bearer of this Venice neighborhood, check out Los Angeles’s coolest strip of shops