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Celebrate Independent's Week in Los Angeles
- by gillians
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- July 01, 2009
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Every year, the same week as July 4th (Independence Day, if you didn't know), the American Independent Business Alliance hosts Independent's Week. The idea is that as you celebrate everything that is great about our country with alcohol and explosions, you take a moment to realize that small, independently operated businesses are a huge part of what makes your neighborhood and in turn, America, a great place. So as you spend another sunny, carefree week in the City of Angels, make an effort to spread your wealth around at some of these independent shops.
Independent's Week 2009: July 1st - 7th
From the AMIBA website As we honor national heritage and liberty, we also celebrate our nation’s local independent businesses who have given so many citizens opportunity and underpinned and underwritten community life and prosperity. It’s also a time to consider the independent decision-making ability each of us possesses to choose the future of the place we make our home. Shop locally and you’ll keep your money circulating in your community three times as long or more than spending it at chains where i leave immediately for somewhere else.
Bookstores
Sure, stop in at a local Borders and you can get chain coffee and the complete series of Alf on DVD before you even get to the books, but why not make an effort to stop in at one of these independent bookstores. Benefits: brainy customers, cool events and booksellers that might actually know how to read.
Vroman's Bookstore
695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
This Pasadena institution never ceases to amaze me. It’s sprawling but organized and something about the generally older and well kept clientele is quaint and cozy. I especially like the staff recommendation shelves which are always thoughtful and interesting.
This Pasadena institution never ceases to amaze me. It’s sprawling but organized and something about the generally older and well kept clientele is quaint and cozy. I especially like the staff recommendation shelves which are always thoughtful and interesting.
Stories Books & Cafes
1716 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
This Echo Park book shop is unassuming from its storefront on Sunset Blvd but inside it’s compact but diverse in its selection of new and used books. The icing on the cake is the cafe and patio in the back where you can enjoy your new purchases immediately. Nothing is more American that instant gratification.
This Echo Park book shop is unassuming from its storefront on Sunset Blvd but inside it’s compact but diverse in its selection of new and used books. The icing on the cake is the cafe and patio in the back where you can enjoy your new purchases immediately. Nothing is more American that instant gratification.
Record Stores
I know how easy it is to get your music online either through nefarious means or even legally on iTunes or lala or whatever you site of choice. But I also know the giddy adolescent pleasure that comes with browsing a physical record store. There something very satisfying about being surrounded by music. Benefits: Everyone that works there is cooler than you so you want to impress them with your impeccable taste (save your Lady GaGa purchases for the privacy of your own home).
Amoeba Music
6400 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
The largest independent record store in Southern California – and it is large – right in the heart of Hollywood.
The largest independent record store in Southern California – and it is large – right in the heart of Hollywood.
Inside Amoeba
You aren’t supposed to take pictures inside the massive store, so extra special thanks to Malingering flickr for this one.
Aron's Record Shop
1150 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA
CLOSED
Let this now defunct but completely great record shop be a lesson: you have to patronize the stores that you like or they will go out of business like Aron’s did a few years ago.
Independent & Lesser Known Music
Susie tells you what’s what in the indie music scene.
Origami Vinyl
1816 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Is there a better place for a hip new independent record shop that hosts listening parties and has shelves of vinyl for sale than Echo Park? I say no.
Wine & Cheese
You might not be able to pick up an entire gallon of wine or stacks of Kraft Singles at any of these local shops, but the guests at your fancy party (even if it’s a party of one) will surely appreciate that you went the extra mile and shopped locally.Benefits: Discovering new wines, foreign and pungent cheeses, learning a thing or two about pairing and gosh – wine and cheese. Honestly, what’s better than that?
55 Degree Wine
3111 Glendale Blvd Ste 2, Los Angeles, CA 90039
The ground level of this Atwater Village wine shop (which is unfortunately nestled next to a Starbucks) looks like any other with narrow rows of bottles. But hidden in the cellar is a tasting room where you can order flights of wine, snack on cheese plates and get a knowledgeable spiel or two from the lovely employees.
The ground level of this Atwater Village wine shop (which is unfortunately nestled next to a Starbucks) looks like any other with narrow rows of bottles. But hidden in the cellar is a tasting room where you can order flights of wine, snack on cheese plates and get a knowledgeable spiel or two from the lovely employees.
Boston's Mom & Pop Shops
Celebrate Independent’s Week in Boston at these local shops.
Colorado Wine Company
2114 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
This Eagle Rock shop is what a local wine shop should be: unpretentious and welcoming. Along the main drag of Colorado Blvd. in the Occidental neighborhood, they also host local art openings.
This Eagle Rock shop is what a local wine shop should be: unpretentious and welcoming. Along the main drag of Colorado Blvd. in the Occidental neighborhood, they also host local art openings.
Coffee
Let’s face it, unless you were in Seattle in 1971, it has never been cool and rarely has it been satisfying to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks. In L.A., the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is only slightly better (and that’s mostly because their straws come in purple). I promise that you won’t be sorry you stopped in for your morning latte at one of these independent cafes. It’s not like Starbucks is even cheap, you know?Benefits: Better music, baristas who know that a machiatto is not a carmel and milk monstrosity and that tall means tall not small, often free wifi (no HotSpot BS) and plenty of scowling, underemployed screenwriters
Transitioning to Indie Eats
AliciaK helps you cope with your Starbucks obsession in New York.
A frothy cup of independent cappuccino at Intelligentsia, via Ardvaark
Back Door the
1710 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Silverlake’s Back Door Bakery is more than coffee, to be sure but you can get a fresh brewed cup to go with your vegan omlette and sit outside while hipster filled Prius’ whiz by on their way to the nearby dog park.
Silverlake’s Back Door Bakery is more than coffee, to be sure but you can get a fresh brewed cup to go with your vegan omlette and sit outside while hipster filled Prius’ whiz by on their way to the nearby dog park.
Patriotic Guide Icon Thanks to greyhills2
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