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Out and about on Abbot Kinney

Venice’s best-loved street unites chic style and bohemian attitude

By Tara Tyson, Special to Metromix

January 21, 2008

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Kickin' it on Abbot Kinney (Credit: Carmen Vorse)

Abbot Kinney (the man) may be known for founding Venice, but Venice is now known for being home to Abbot Kinney (the boulevard). In the century since the neighborhood’s creation, Abbot Kinney Blvd. has become one of the most diverse shopping stretches in Los Angeles. Between Westminster Ave. and Venice Blvd., the street teems with intimate clothing boutiques, quirky shoe shops, unique housewares stores and elegant furniture showrooms. An added bonus: The walkable row of retail is only a few minutes' walk from the beach. Surf, sand and sales—what more could you want?

Brick Lane

1132 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-392-2525

Brick Lane’s stock of clothing for dames and gents (that’s women and men for you Yankees) proves the U.K. is more than just high tea and Paul McCartney gossip. Everything in the store, from the graphic tees to the cashmere sweaters, was created by a designer from across the pond. International travel has never been so easy.

Claudia Milan

1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd. , Los Angeles

310-581- 2964

With its Repetto flats, Isabella Fiore handbags, and dresses by everyone from Diane Von Furstenberg to Catherine Malandrino, this intimate boutique is stocked like the walk-in closet you’ve always dreamed about—but with a friendlier staff and a better chandelier.

Colcha

1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-743-3837

Colcha is a new kid on the Abbot Kinney block, having opened in Feb. 2006. With its warehouse-like space, the store has the feel of a really, really good garage sale: one-of-a-kind wood furniture, antiques from Europe and found objects with histories as interesting as the items themselves. When you find yourself in need of a decorative, moderately functional 6-foot woven basket, look no further.

Coutula

1204 Abbot Kinney Blvd. , Venice

310-581-8010

Need a funky gold and white tea set? Maybe a cool messenger bag for the job you only keep to pay for your tea-set collection (vicious cycle, ain’t it)? Coutula’s got you covered. Cute but edgy apparel and accessories—blinged-out cuff links and weekend beach totes—abound at this quaint post-and-beam boutique.

Dewey

1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-392-2974

If you are the sort of person who prefers as little distraction as possible while on life’s most important quest—the search for the perfect shoe—Dewey’s simple but bold decor could make it just the sanctuary you crave. That is, if you can turn your eyes away from the giant photos of Rod Stewart and David Bowie in their heydays. Focus, people!

Digs

1118 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-450-3072

The Upper East Side vibe at this furniture showroom—regal foyer pieces, swanky living room sets—promises to transform a West Coast pad from drab to fab. Well-lit and dramatically staged, the store’s goods don’t come cheap, but then again, can you really put a price on what a black lacquer dining room set will do for your studio apartment?

ecookie

1639 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles

310-392-2135

A sweet treat of a store, Ecookie stocks some of the cutest frocks, jewels and undies on Abbot Kinney. Feel better about binging on Rachel Pally, Nanette Lepore, Lewis Cho and LaROK between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., when the store knocks off 10 percent for happy hour.

Enda King

1419 Abbot Kinney Blvd. , Venice

310-396-1242

For dudes cultivating that "Swingers"-meets-hillbilly-meets-cowboy look, Enda King is well worth a visit. There are enough patterned button-up shirts, trucker caps and blue jeans on their shelves to fill two stores, which is exactly what they’ve done. So if you can’t find the ironic belt buckle you want, you probably just need to go next door.

The Goddess

1507 Abbott Kinney Blvd. , Venice

310-314-1494

The Goddess not only offers a selection of jewelry made of everything from coral to onyx to diamonds, it also holds classes for those who want to make their own earrings, rings and bracelets. Gems and stones won’t break your bones, and a custom-designed turquoise necklace will never hurt you.

Heist

1104 Abbot Kinney Blvd. , Venice

310-450-6531

From its KA7 tops to its Rag and Bone bottoms, Heist satisfies any style hunger a girl may have. Under its very bright lights (just because it’s called Heist doesn’t mean they want to experience one), the dog-friendly store stocks oodles of Pedro Garcia shoes, a table’s worth of jeans and all the Shelly Litvak totes your arms can carry.

Madley

1227 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-450-6029

With a mix of vintage duds and owner Coryn Madley’s own creations, there’s a little something for everyone at this unassuming boutique. Whether you’ve budgeted for a $50 frock or are in the market for an $850 feather jacket, it's all here. Bluesy music and a laid-back atmosphere create a relaxed shopping experience. After all, who doesn’t feel relaxed when surrounded by 80s-era sequined blouses and retro YSL pumps?

Principessa

1323 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-450-6696

Don’t be fooled by the front window displays: Principessa has more to offer than just the standard SoCal fare of faux-fur-trimmed dresses, bejeweled tunics and flowy blouses. Better still, the prices will pleasantly surprise. Be sure to check out the $10 bin of scarves and assorted goodies.

The Stronghold

1625 Abbot Kinney Blvd. , Venice

310-399-7200

Although it may be hard to believe for those who were attached to 2005 fashion, fedoras, suspenders and brand-name denim have all been in existence for quite some time, a historical fact that the Stronghold has based itself around. Rocking a turn-of-the-century-hardware-store-meets-an-Old-West-saloon vibe, the shop carries both contemporary and vintage clothing and accessories. And there’s a decanter of whiskey for those who are just browsing.

Surfing Cowboys

1624 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-450-4891

Surfing Cowboys is part vintage furniture showroom, part vintage photography and art shop, and part pop culture bookstore, with a little modern-day jewelry thrown in for good measure. The shop’s square footage recently expanded when the owners, who lived in the store for many years, decided to hang ten in a real house, opening up more room for awesome credenzas and mirrored coat racks.

Turquoise

1409 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice

310-314-2010

Turquoise owner and ApartmentTherapy.com blogger Vanessa de Vargas is a lover of vintage crafted furnishings and has a good selection of mid-century pieces on offer, from tufted chairs to Burke dining room tables and Danish cabinets. She'll also custom-design for you, if you so desire.

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