Article and Photos By: Scott S. Smith and Sandra Wells
We’ve periodically highlighted specialty retailers offering items from art to bookstores that would be ideal for gifting, whether under a tree or on a birthday. These included the handcrafted fair trade products at Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena, Candle Delirium in West Hollywood, and the unique treasures at Tesoro in Beverly Hills.
Spy Shop One
https://spyshopone.myshopify.com/ aka IQTronics on Van Nuys Blvd. in Sherman Oaks has been in business since 1993 claims to be “the Valley’s number one dealer in covert surveillance, counter surveillance, security, and personal protection equipment.” With the Olympics coming to L.A. in 2028 along with hordes of tourists, there is a big increase in interest in equipment that would both keep a home or apartment safe, but also prevent unauthorized observation of visitors in their rooms. The store was featured on “Good Morning America” for training customers in how to use whatever they buy, from a mobile phone case that shields it from GPS tracking and smart locks to high-powered cameras and home security systems (see photo).
Sherman Oaks Antique Mall
https://www.soantiquemall.com/ has 10,000 sq. feet and is open seven days, with 180 eclectic dealers offering to buy or sell pre-owned designer clothing, retro dresses and pants, handcrafted jewelry and accessories, antiques, vinyl records, Mid-Century and Bohemian furniture, decor, toys, ceramics (see photo), and much more.
Outfitters Wigs
https://www.outfitterswig.com/ on Hollywood Blvd. was established in 1969, making it one of the oldest and most popular wig sources around, making the “Best of L.A.” list in the August 2024 Los Angeles magazine (see photo). Celebrity customers have included RuPaul, the Kardashians, Madonna, Richard Simmons, and Elvira. The fun of trying on wigs for different occasions, from Mohawks to human hair ones, is supercharged by Bebe McPherson, a sparkling former employee who bought the store a few years ago and holds parties and events there. She has skills hard to find elsewhere, such as the ability to bring back to life even old synthetic wigs. “We use our knowledge and vast resources to provide our customers the service they deserve,” she says.
The Little Knittery
https://thelittleknittery.com/ in the Los Feliz Shopping and Entertainment Neighborhood on Vermont north of Hollywood Blvd. and south of Franklin (near Skylight Books and the Los Feliz Theatre) is full of exotic yarns (like alpaca and types that are machine-washable for babies), sweaters and toys, and tools for knitters of all skill levels and ages. It also offers classes and carries books like The Modern Weaver and The New Bohemians Handbook. A customer we spoke with praised the owner of the store as “by far the most helpful of any at the knitting shops in the Los Angeles area for those who want to continue to learn” (see photo).
Village Heights
https://larchmontla.com/village-heights/ is in the center of the Larchmont Village south of Beverly Blvd and north of 1st St. where the farmers’ market is held Sundays (if you go then, plan to part several blocks away). There are also lots of other specialty retailers, which can make for a fun browse. Noted for its award-winning holiday window displays, by the door are cute gift bags with messages like “Small Bag for a Big Deal” and “Gangsta Wrap.” Books include The Frugal Vegan and a pocket translator on how to say “I Love You” in everything from Zulu to Irish, cannabis candles and sprays, vintage glassware, jigsaw puzzles, unique handbags, holiday napkins and wrapping paper, journals waiting to be filled, Trappist Abbey fruitcake, cashmere gloves, and high-end utensils (see photo).
The Shell Shop
https://www.morrobayshellshop.com/gallery in Morro Bay on the Central Coast is a world-famous resource for beautiful shells, many of which are byproducts of the fishing industry in places like the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and India, giving fishermen another source of income. Some coral was harvested over 30 years ago before it was restricted, while the store has been in business for nearly seven decades, so it is well-stocked and offers other shells as they are or as part of jewelry and art pieces (see photo).