Tag Archive for: echo park businesses

, ,

Villainy General Store closing for good

villainy_storefront

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?

/760 Comments/by
, ,

A new shade of blue for Echo Park’s Little Joy

Little Joy on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Portia has undergone many exterior paint jobs over the years. From green to black, and covered in colorful murals, the dive bar now dons a purple-ish blue shade.

The exterior facelift is just one of the new changes that new owners Joaquin Reyna-Donaldson and Donald Andes have been working on since closing the doors in November. We’ve reached out for some more info, but for now it’s not clear whether or not the dive-bar vibe will be a thing of the past.

/196 Comments/by

Mishka to move out of Echo Park Avenue storefront

Mishka announced on its blog this week that it’s packing up its Echo Park store and moving to another, so far undisclosed, Los Angeles location.

The store opened up along the same strip as El Batey and Chango on Echo Park Avenue in February 2012. They plan to close the shop’s doors for good by the end of the summer. For now, go in and grab your Mishka goodies for 50% off.

We imagine it won’t take long to fill the storefront – what kind of store do you think will take over?

/18 Comments/by
,

Echo Park’s Delilah Bakery back open for business

Cupcake lovers rejoice! Delilah Bakery reopened softly today after the renovation, repainting, and rethinking of the Echo Park Avenue bakery.

Echo Park resident and owner Genevieve Ostrander has partnered up with realtor Darren Hubert of Urban Hillsides to rehab the look and the business model of the nearly six-year-old bakery. Known for its amazing cupcakes like the Jack Daniels flavor (here to stay, by the way) and incredible bread pudding, there will be slight menu changes including an expanded weekday breakfast menu. They will also focus on expanding the business’ catering services.

The new and improved, and certainly re-energized, Delilah Bakery hours are now 8:00 am – 4:00 pm daily, and closed Mondays.

Delilah Bakery will be finalizing more later this month when it has its official grand reopening.

/583 Comments/by

How many 7-11s can you fit in Echo Park?

Apparently a lot!

Glendale Boulevard at Berkeley is getting a new 7-11, and a presentation at the last week’s neighborhood council Planning & Land Use Committee revealed plans for another location at Alvarado Street and Beverly Boulevard. The map above is a screenshot of several 7-11 stores in Echo Park and the immediate area, with the purple dots showing locations for the  twonew stores.

The Beverly Boulevard and Alvarado Street 7-11 location will be part of a larger demolition and rebuild of a service station at 2041 Beverly Boulevard. It sounds like the state of the existing building is pretty bad, and could use a serious boost. But even committee members at the Planning & Land Use meeting asked if there would be alternative vendors other than 7-11, especially since there’s one on Beverly Boulevard just down the road. A quick search on the franchise’s website for our zip code, and there are at least six 7-11 stores within a two mile radius (not including the new ones).

However, it looks like the deal is done, and the property owners have already negotiated the establishment of a 7-11 store at the revamped location. But permits still need to be granted, and the neighborhood council has asked for hours of beer and wine sales to be reduced just as the Glendale Boulevard location has done.

/2 Comments/by

Origami Vinyl anniverary celebration at tonight’s Record Club

If we could make a cake for Origami, this is what it'd look like. (Flickr photo via Sugar&Lace)

Origami Vinyl is turning three!

The record store/music venue is celebrating at tonight’s weekly Record Club across the street at El Prado. Bring some cupcakes and some 45’s to spin on the record player any time from 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. Perhaps you’ll make some vinyl record themed cupcakes for the occasion?

if you can’t make it tonight, mark your calendars for Record Store Day – a nation-wide event celebrating, you guessed it, record stores – on Saturday, April 21. Origami plans on throwing a grand fiesta with eight bands at The Echo, DJs at Origami Vinyl, giveaways, and we’re sure much much more.

Read more about Origami Vinyl on just-published interview on LAist.

/437 Comments/by
,

New Echo Park boutique focusing on female designers

Echo Park isn’t lacking in boutiques and independent stores, but there’s plenty of retail space for all!

New boutique Myrtle is celebrating its grand opening tomorrow, Wednesday, November 30, 2011 after taking over 2213 Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park (once occupied by Bobbie Boutique).

The name Myrtle refers to the store owner’s great-great-grandmother, and great-great-great grandmother, according to the website. The store will feature vintage goodies like bags and clothing from independent female designers (Alexandra Grecco, Kathryn Whyte, Scout and Catalogue, and Kelly Bergin are amongst the many designers).

While the store is opening tomorrow, you can also check it out during the Echo Park Shop Hop on Saturday, December 10 from 5-10:00 pm, where they’ll have cocktails to enjoy and fashion to shop for.

h/t LA Racked for the heads up!

/37 Comments/by
,

Shop local: Echo Park holiday events and sales

By tradition, we’re looking for the great deals this Thanksgiving weekend, so while you’ve got the turkey in the oven feel free to peruse the following Echo Park sales and events in honor of Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday, and Cyber Monday (we’ll try to add more as we come across new sales/events):

Villainy Saturday Event

Villainy General Store at 1519 W. Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park is hosting “Saturday is the new Black Friday” with holiday cocktails, coffee and treats. Of course there are great gift items to snatch up, which you can read about on our previous post.

Montana Cans Black Friday Super Sale

The 10 hour sale on Friday, November 25 includes 20-60% off store items (spray cans, markers, etc.). Store hours are 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, located at 1528 1/2 West Sunset Boulevard.

Post-Thanksgiving Epic hike

The Big Parade creators are hosting this 15 mile street, stairs and trails walk on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Starts at the Chinatown Metro Gold line at 9:00 am, and according to the Facebook invite there’s an “eay bailout point” halfway through if you want to hop on a bus and head back. Great way to work off that 2,000 calorie meal you gobbled on Thanksgiving – and for free!

Tavin Boutique Weekend-long Sales

There’s a 10% off sale at Tavin Boutique if you’re looking for some unique gifts or a party dress for yourself (they’ve got some seriously cute stuff starting at $20). The sales at Tavin last through the Thanksgiving weekend, Friday through Sunday. Also be sure to save the date for the store’s holiday parties on Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11 from 3-7:00 pm.

Feeding Birds Sales

Always some great vintage finds at Feeding Birds, also great “Echo Park” tees. They are closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, but be sure to stop in over the weekend and check it out. If you shop online on the Etsy store on Black Friday and Cyber Monday you get a free screen printed tote bag.

Read more

/231 Comments/by
, , , ,

Echo Park rules: LA Weekly’s Best of LA list

We all know it: Echo Park is the raddest. But it’s nice to get a little acknowledgment – LA Weekly’s Best of LA 2011 is out, and once again, we’ve got quite a few locations in our ‘hood to celebrate.

Keep reading what Echo Park businesses and locations made the Best of LA cut:

Spitfire Girl: Best Ironic Baubles for a Best Friend

Located along our stretch of Echo Park known as antique row, Spitfire Girl gets kudos for being a “more authentic version of Urban Outfitters’ indie accessories department.” From horses and owl-themed products to art books, jewelry, and woodcut wall art, LA Weekly recommends a stop as “you should have no trouble finding a unique gift for any lover of irony or beauty.” We have to admit we’ve never been to Spitfire Girl… we will definitely go now!

LA Weekly link
2203 Sunset Blvd. • (213) 989-1977 • spitfiregirl.com

Rewind Audio: Best Electronics That Don’t Fit in a Pocket

Audio geeks rejoice: “This is not the insanely priced stuff sought by audiophiles but great, quotidian, mainstream electronics…” says The LA Weekly.

Even better? “Their pristine little Echo Park shop attracts a steady stream of people in their 20s seeking a retro look and electronic equipment that’s fun to touch, as well as a 40s-and-up clientele who miss the richer sounds often lost to digital.

LA Weekly link
1041 N. Alvarado St. • (213) 273-8904 • rewindaudio.com

Read more

/335 Comments/by
, ,

Echo Country Outpost taking up new diggs

Echo Country Outpost has been host to many types of events – ho-downs, BBQs, and musical acts reminiscent of the ol’ Echo Curio days (don’t tell the city of LA). Opened in November 2009 by Erica Forneret, Chris Hajek, and Brendan Missett, the small space on Echo Park Avenue has been a great neighborhood and family-friendly establishment for music and shopping (they carry the kinds of antiques and hand made items that make the store feel like home).

But now it seems that they may have outgrown the store, which occupied the same building as the former Echo Park Cycles (now frame store Hotel de Ville) – “for rent” signs decorate the commercial space hoping for new occupants. The Echo Country Outpost website says only: “The Outpost is real busy traveling the country and cooking up big plans for the future of Outposts in Los Angeles and around the world.”

Call it perfect timing, but production company 2HeadedHorse recently vacated their production space at 1770 Glendale Boulevard, just south of the 2 Freeway entrance, and it seems our friends at the Outpost have settled on some new diggs. Posting a sketch on their Facebook page, the Outpost looks to be expanding beyond what we thought the Glendale Boulevard storefront even had – there’s an inner court/patio, an atrium and gift shop, studios, lofts, a kitchen, even a bar!

We’ve reached out to the guys and gals at Echo Country Outpost for further details, but expect a lot of great Echo Parkian thinks to do up on the Glendale corridor.

/2 Comments/by
, ,

Montana Cans celebrating one year anniversary

Take a break from the festivities at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 9, and stop by Montana Cans just up Sunset Boulevard for their one-year anniversary celebration!

From 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm at the store there will be a lot of sales going on, special give-aways for customers, and in-store appearances/signings (these guys know some cool people, so it will be worth checking out!).

PLUS our favorite part – our good friends Whqles are playing a show at 8:00 pm. And they rule. Seriously.

Montana Store LA is located at 1528 1/2 Sunset Boulevard.

See you there!

/398 Comments/by
,

Xoia celebrates first anniversary with free tacos!

A very happy first anniversary to Xoia Vietnamese Eats, located along Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park.

The restaurant opened up late last June, offering up a nice, cool patio area to enjoy your meal and an affordable menu. A fan of the tofu Pho, I’ve also heard great things about the bold directions they’ve gone with non-traditional menu items such as the Pho Beef Tacos.

And, speaking of Pho Beef Tacos, they are giving one away for free when you purchase an entrée on Saturday, June 25 (while supplies last). You can also get a few Vietnamese Iced Coffee (soooo good)!

If you’ve never met the owners, Jose Sarinana and Thien Ho, they are incredibly pleasant and great for a community like Echo Park. In an email, they told us about celebrating their first year with Xoia:

“It has been an awesome adventure in creating and recreating food this past year! More importantly, this past year allowed us to meet and stay in touch with so many great people who have embraced us in their food community.”

Congrats to Jose, Thien, and the staff – see you soon!

/1 Comment/by
,

Former Echo Curio space remains empty

It’s been a few months since the Echo Curio closed its doors, but the retail space at Sunset Blvd. and Laveta has yet to get new renters.

It seems the space has been plagued by problems since the LAPD started cracking down on the entertainment venue last year for its unofficial BYOB problems, and then for permitting issues as a performance space (which ended up being the final death-blow). Other food and/or entertainment businesses interested in the space might run into the same issues – there’s no parking (the city has ridiculous parking rules) and it’s not permitted for pretty much anything (other than commercial/office space).

For those brave enough to try and open up this great space in a great location in Echo Park can check out this Craiglist post leasing out the location:

Up for lease is this wonderful store-front commercial space in the heart of Echo Park along Sunset Blvd. This is a very visible space with lots of pedestrian traffic.

The space itself is divided between two rooms. The front room is just under 500 interior sf and the back room, which includes the bathroom is just over 300 interior sf.

This is perfect for retail, commercial, office or studio. It is not currently suitable for food services.

This space is being offered at $1750/month with a 2 year lease (with option to renew). Lease includes one off street parking spot.

Call or email to schedule an appointment for viewing.

Check out the Craigslist post here.

/614 Comments/by
, ,

Saturday: The Classroom LA grand opening party

We are very excited for the grand opening for The Classroom LA – a recreational class space created by Echo Park resident and uber entrepreneur Justin Warwick. Also a friend of ours, Justin is the man behind Warwick Vintage store, which used to be along Sunset Blvd., and now The Warehouse – a large vintage and DIY space filled with tons of treasures. If you haven’t checked it out – now’s your chance!

The Classroom offers inexpensive (only $25 each) classes from jewelry making and sewing to terrarium building. They also host private events should you want to take a private class as a group.

Gift certificates for both the store and the classroom are available for $35 – they include a unique and really cute terrarium. We got a peak at these last Saturday at the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park annual banquet, where two of them were donated and raffled off – they were pretty awesome!

The Classroom LA grand opening party takes place tomorrow, June 11 from 4-11:00 pm at the Warehouse, located at 1197 W. Sunset Blvd.

Please contact us (213) 482-4089 or info@theclassroomla.com for more information.

See you there!

/2 Comments/by
,

RIP our favorite Echo Park laundromat

About a month ago, we return from the honeymoon to the real world – lots of laundry and an empty refrigerator. Now, you might be a fan of Lucy’s – tempting you with Starbucks and Subway sandwiches and all. But we have a different routine along Sunset Boulevard. Sandwiched between Stories Books and Out of the Closet is (rather, was) a reliable 24-hour place to do the laundry. Better yet, its proximity to some of our favorite bars and restaurants gave us the excuse to have dinner and a beer or two at Masa while the our delicates spun in the washer.

But this time we arrive to a shuttered laundromat, and seeing the vending machines had been removed and mail piling up near the front door, we had a feeling it was for the long run.

Now, a month later, the favorite laundromat is still closed and collecting dust. No word on why it closed or what’s going to happen with the empty space, and our routine will have to change a little bit.

It’s not that there aren’t enough laundromats in Echo Park, but we’ll miss the routine of grabbing a beer in between loads. Perhaps someone should take over the space and turn it into a combined bar and laundromat (Like the ones they have in San Fran?)? The hipsters would LOVE it.

/256 Comments/by