Los Angeles County Store — Local Undercover

Screen Shot 2020-05-22 at 12.02.02 PM.png — Los Angeles County Store

Los Angeles, California

Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:

Los Angeles County Store is the only shop dedicated exclusively to fine goods made in Los Angeles. From artisanal food to small housewares, apothecary to prints and stationery, it is a thoughtfully curated collection of beautifully crafted wares from across the county.

Specializing in gifts and gift boxes - both pre-selected and custom-made - Los Angeles County Store is a great place to get a housewarming or baby gift, a unique souvenir of the City of Angels, or something for that hard-to-shop-for someone.

Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?

Los Angeles County Store reflects the mission of the shop: everything we carry is made somewhere in LA County.

What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?

The California Board is a fan favorite. It's by local woodworker Gary Silk, and we came up with this together after I had him make a California Cribbage board. He said drilling all the holes for the cribbage board was NOT something he wanted to do again, so we settled on this, which in the end has a broader appeal.

What makes your business unique to the industry?

My stubborn insistence that everything be not just DESIGNED in LA but also made here. And my enthusiasm for new- and still-forming ventures -we get things in here no-one else has thanks to that!

What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?

Rather than "overcome" I'd say I've been able to "endure." The biggest roadblock when it comes to business is really a societal roadblock: The vanishing middle class and the increase in income inequality. As a business that is neither a 99 cent store nor a fancy store for the .01%, the struggle is real.

How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid- 19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?

The shifting retail landscape began before COVID-19, with everyone shopping more online, less in person. But the safer at home order has inspired me to investigate pivoting to an online-only, gift box - focused model.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

Discovering fabulous new things that are made in LA and connecting with the amazing people who make them!

**What is your must do local activity?**

I love to take walks and explore LA by foot! IT IS NOT TRUE THAT NOBODY WALKS IN LA! And the pace of a walk helps me appreciate details I would miss zipping by in a vehicle. The advocacy group Los Angeles Walks does great work to help make the streets safer to cross.

Where to find Los Angeles County Store

Storefront: 4333 W Sunset Boulevard 90029