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Villainy General Store closing for good

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This is a bit sad news because we’ve gotten to know owners and Echo Parkians Erich Schlieske and Ellen McAlister (eEvil Ink Design) quite well. Villainy General Store opened in the former Echo Curio space almost exactly two years ago, taking on the challenge of renovating the space and that terribly tiny bathroom. Erich announced the store’s closing on the store’s Facebook page, saying:

THANK YOU ECHO PARK !!! We have met so many very cool and gracious people here. We met lots of neighbors, old-timers, new-timers and for the most part we’ve been well received and we’ve always appreciated that kindness.

Who knew that a Villainy General Store could last for 2 years? More importantly, what is a “Villainy General Store”? It was an experiment, what can I say? I’ve always been intrigued by junk drawers, misfit accessories, vintage curios and funny, odd gifts.

And a curious store it is – but we’ve always found something to take home. Since the store won’t be closing until the end of December, you can still pick up some great and unique gifts, including cheeky greeting cards and (my favorite) t-shirts with hipster sayings like “Echo Park: Where Silver Lake Comes to get Drunk.” After December you can always check them out online at villainyla.com.

What will be next for the storefront on Sunset Boulevard and Laveta Terrace? Perhaps another boutique?

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Rumor Mill: Cortez in Echo Park closing? (UPDATE)

cortez-echo-park

Could it be true? Only a year and week (to the day) after Cookbook owners Marta Teegan and Robert Stelzner opened Cortez in Echo Park, our rumor mill reports that it could be closing for good.

It seams like yesterday the culinary duo took over the 1,000 square foot upscale, American restaurant on Allison Avenue near Sunset Boulevard. The reviews over Yelp! are pretty darn fantastic, but perhaps it could have been the January 2013 review by the esteemed Jonathon Gold that did them in when he wrote in the LA Times:

Tiny portions are great in principle and on tasting menus, but there may be a reason so many of the regulars at Cortez fit nicely into skinny jeans. And by the time you finish ordering, you are going to have spent a shocking amount of money.

Pricey, perhaps –  but delicious from what we’ve heard. Echo Park Now has reached out to Cortez for comment and to confirm the rumor… in the meantime, we hope it’s not true and we wish Cortez nothing but the best!

UPDATE:

You’ll have a chance to check out Cortez after all – Owner Marta Teegan responded to our email, saying it is NOT closing. Glad to hear!

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Flashback Fridays: Birds eye view of Echo Park in 1903

Yes, we love maps – especially old ones of Echo Park and Los Angeles. The latest publication on the Big Map Blog is a nice display of Los Angeles circa 1903, so we zoomed in nice and close on Echo Park (of course!).

The map shows a sprinkling of homes with lake views and some in “Angeleño Heights,” as well as neighborhood by the name of Sunset Blvd Heights on what appears to be Laveta Terrace (near now Scott Avenue/McDuff Street), and current-day Glendale Boulevard going north into Edendale.

On the Big Map Blog website you can zoom in and out while scrolling through Los Angeles, all centered around a surprisingly well-developed Downtown.

h/t CurbedLA

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EchoPark-1903map-edendale

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Blessing of the Animals on Saturday

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The annual Blessing of the Animals is coming up this weekend on Saturday, October 5 at 4:00 pm. Make your way to the Silver Lake “Polka Dot Plaza” (Sunset & Edgecliffe Drive) where Franciscan Friar Thomas Carey will preside over the Blessing.

The Blessing is “a gift to the Los Feliz/Silver Lake/Echo Park communities from Holy Spirit, progressive Episcopal community in Silver Lake.”

All donations benefit the Echo Park Animal Alliance.

This tradition is attributed to the ability of St. Francis to preach to animals, which resulted in his becoming their patron. For more info contact Nick Cuccla at (323) 663-0633 or nacinla@gmail.com.

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Echo Park’s Missed Connections

Flickr photo via Erica Farglow

Flickr photo via Erica Farglow

Big smile in a fierce camo green polo – m4m – 25 (Echo Park Lake) – September 23

This is so embarrassing, I really should have approached you. I feel like such a coward.
But yesterday around 5 I was strolling around the lake, half-heartedly walking my dog, Mr. Buttersworth.
You are white, tall, and had a deep and charismatic voice. Your whole self was charismatic. Your friends were a little rough around the edges- there were two other guys and a girl. One was wearing a hat, I think. The other was small with a mustache. The girl had dark hair. You have dark hair, and a wide smile. Oh, that smile.
You were a roudy bunch, so I think I was a bit scared to approach you. But you seem really put together, clean, confident… just my type. I’d love to go dancing with you. I’m a bit of a homebody, but I’d L-O-V-E to see you again…

 

taco truck at vons – w4m – 26 (silverlake / echo park) – September 23

i was wearing a dodgers jersey at the taco truck
you were with a guy and a girl, your complexion was darker
you had two line tattoos on your arm
i wanted to say hi because your laugh made me feel safe
like i was slowly covered in a bean and rice burrito
sinking into it
i couldnt say anything because i was with my brother
who does not like me talking to other boys

 

my romeo in echo park by the boathouse – w4m – 34 (Echo Park Lake) – September 23

You were with some friends having a weird loud conversation. I was captivated by your presence. You had your hat on backwards. I liked your arm band tatts. I feel like our stars are aligned, do you?

Me: skinny… long dark hair… full sleeve. Did you see me?

w/b with what your friends looked like so I know its you.

-juliet

via Craigslist

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