Abbott Kinney: Exploring Venice Beach's Creative Shopping Oasis
If Oakland is to San Francisco what Brooklyn is to Manhattan, one might argue that Venice could very well be the Oakland, or Brooklyn, of Los Angeles. With a diverse mix of locals and visitors and varied destinations east of Muscle Beach, Venice is a creative oasis for those who are seeking good vibes in an off-the-beaten path setting.
During my latest trip to Los Angeles, I spent the majority of my time cruising around Venice Beach. Although I was “headquartered” in Beverly Hills, I eagerly drove the eight miles (much more than it sounds in LA miles) to explore Abbott Kinney Boulevard and its alluring side streets.
Since I run the risk of exhausting you by listing out ALL of my Venice Beach faves by day and by night, I have chosen to feature some not-to-be-missed daytime spots you won’t find anywhere else.
Tumbleweed & Dandelion
An oasis on Abbott Kinney, Tumbleweed & Dandelion lures you in with sparkling porch lights and all signs literally pointing toward the beach. While this cottage look could be kitchy in any other beach destination, Venice is not your average beach town, and neither is this specialty home store. Like its surrounding community, Tumbleweed & Dandelion is full of surprises. Wind through every nook and cranny of this shop, poke through every shelf and be sure to meander outside and to the back house where you’ll be tempted to kick off your shoes and settle in to a comfy couch or fluffy bed (both for sale, of course.) Feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s home? Well, you sort of did—before it was a groovy home goods store, Tumbleweed & Dandelion was once the owner’s family home. Talk about authentic.
The Piece Collective
Neutral tones, zen-like clothing, organic home accessories and subtle inspirational messaging await you at The Piece Collective. The moment I climbed up the wooden steps and across their welcoming front deck, I felt like I was basking in gold. This glow extended inside where homespun collections beckoned me to touch, explore and discover. Whether you are seriously looking or just out on a whim, you won’t walk out of this place without something unique (think hand-painted ceramic wind chimes, French cutlery sets that are both funky and fine, and ultra-soft denim shirts like this cool pick from Sandrine Rose’s new collection). The Piece Collective satisfies all your shopping cravings, even the ones you didn’t know you had.
Burning Torch
I learned about Burning Torch soon after the LA-based brand launched its debut collection back in 1999. A fashion pioneer of the “Replace, Reuse, Recycle” movement, Karyn Craven parlayed her Fine Arts degree from UCLA into a clothing line that celebrates the human body and honors treasures from the past. Look closely at the details of a Burning Torch piece and you can find everything from a bright orange seam on a black top to a button salvaged from a great grandmother’s sewing kit. (Craven’s designs embody the notion of “upcycling.” She has expanded this notion over the years, masterfully applying it to her own line of jewelry and home accessories.) I flew down to Los Angeles on a mission for a dress and this mission was accomplished at Burning Torch. Paired with sandals or stilettos, this silky goodness made from vibrant vintage scarves has already earned its place in the front of my closet!
DENIM CENTRAL
I admit it, I am a jeanaholic. Yes, I wear jeans pretty much everyday of the week. No, that does not necessarily explain the ridiculous amount I have in my closet. That said, similar to my ongoing quest for easy dresses, finding the perfect jean is a lifelong journey. Luckily, I steered my way into a couple of shops where I could linger among the many shades, shapes and styles of denim and satisfy my jean quest...at least temporarily.
Guild
My heart skipped a beat when culling through the sale rack (yes, the sale rack!!), I spotted my beloved R13 Kate Skinnys marked down almost enough to justify me buying yet another pair. (I didn’t.) Guild carries a distinctive assortment of denim that in addition to R13, also includes specialty names like Moussy, AMO, 6397 and more. Looking for something to go with those fabulous new jeans? No problem—The Guild’s carefully curated assortment of clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories won’t disappoint.
The Stronghold
Just as we were wrapping up and before shopping burnout set in, I spotted a clever mural on a red brick building. Murals in Venice Beach are not uncommon, but there was something about this cherubic character in classic denim that caught my eye. A few steps further and I was hooked, convincing my exhausted family to make just one more stop. The Stronghold is a killer fashion find filled with throwback denim, custom leather jackets, limited edition badass clothing and vintage accessories. Bucking any current trends, The Stronghold uses a selvedge denim technique to update its original designs which have been manufactured locally since 1895. A first timer to the brand, I literally had to eeny, meeny, miny, moe my way down to two final selections which were then expertly nipped and tucked to fit me perfectly. Similar the devotion we feel toward the original Levi’s brand, my husband and I are sure to become lifelong collectors of the uniquely authentic Stronghold brand.
A good shopping day can feel like a great workout where your endorphins are flying and you’re left feeling depleted, yet energized. Want a healthy place to rehydrate and refuel in order to re-energize? Head straight to The Butcher’s Daughter for a juice flight and food that is literally green. (I’m serious—even the pancakes are green.) Settle into the bright, breezy space for delicious fare and swift, friendly service, and leave feeling virtuous once again. Still need a fashion fix? Pick up one of their cute and clever organic cotton slogan t-shirts (“We Sell Designer Kale”) on your way out!