Get Your Shop On: Echo Park

 

Nestled between Silver Lake and Downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park has plenty of retail gems sprinkled along Sunset Blvd. Parking is easy to snag and in five essential stops you can satiate all your purchase cravings.

SPITFIRE GIRL: Best place to pick up a gift for your best friend, significant other or heck, yourself! Stocked with stationary, adorable home goods and a new in-house line of handmade dolls. Who can resist gnomes? Trust me, you will not leave this place empty handed.

TIME TRAVEL MART: Located in the front of 826LA, this quirky market offers everything from posters and literary zines to fake mustaches and Viking helmets. I am not kidding you. This place is a fantastical quicky-mart of curiosities. All sale proceeds go towards the nonprofit tutoring & writing center located in the back. So you should feel good that the robot toupee you're going to buy is giving back to the kids. 

SIRENS & SAILORS: An irresistible selection of accessories, bags, new and vintage fashion. One foot into this adorable craftsman house and you will feel like you've stepped into the most fashionable pixie closet. I can guarantee that you will fall in love with the range of independent designers and leave with a few pieces that no one else will be sporting.

ECHO COUNTRY OUTPOST: For those of us living in the city and want to channel our inner woodsman, this cabin-like boutique offers an assortment of fine leather moccasins, incense, pine cones, and a collection of hand made objects from around the world. One visit here and you'll suddenly forget all about traffic jams and poor air quality.

K9 LOFT: Fido needs shop love too. Not only is this cheery space a grooming daycare facility, it is also one of the largest pet supply stores in town. Stylish and eco friendly brands such as Luca for Dogs and West Paw in addition to healthy and organic treats. The staff is knowledgeable offering recommendations on behavioral toys for any quirky pups and always remember your best buddy's name when you bring them along for a visit.

Need to refuel mid shopping spree? Grab a coffee or ice tea at The Fix,  Chango, or Stories Café. Are you shopping bags full but your stomach isn't? Drop into Two Boots Pizza, Delilah Bakery or  track down the Taco Zone Truck and get your snack on. Once you've rebalanced it's time to boost our economy some more... Get out there already!