Shoppers--Westchester Is Not Just for Travelers

To many Angelenos, Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester is merely that old main street on the way to the airport--the one with empty storefronts showing FOR SALE and FOR LEASE signs, the one with the Art Deco movie theater that was “preserved” only to become a hideous office building.

Troll the sidewalks between Manchester Avenue and 89th Street and you’re likely to have them to yourself. But there’s plenty on Sepulveda proper and in the Triangle, the charming little village-like district a block or so to the east, to interest folks of all ages.

You’ll see merchandise--and prices--that you’re not likely to find in a mall, and proprietors who are delighted have your business. (Would it were that way everywhere.) Parking spaces abound, as does a friendly sense of neighborliness. As the man at a snack shop urges when you stop for a root beer float: “Tell your friends about us.”

Westchester Faire

Collectors will enjoy this large (30,000 square feet) bi-level emporium--part antique mall, part modern merchandise co-op. There is everything from the utilitarian (chairs and tables) to the silly (an empty bottle of Beau Catcher perfume) to some stuff that’s both (a lamp made of Popsicle sticks). Most items are for the home--period furniture, bark-cloth drapes, tins and other bric-a-brac--but you’ll see some things to wear, too, such as beaded sweaters and antique and modern jewelry.

Designer Cargo on the upper level sells plain and fancy contemporary silver, turquoise, marcasite and other jewelry. If you’re thinking ‘60s and ‘70s revival--at least one ring on every finger, multicolored beads around your neck--then check ‘em out. Across the aisle is Dawn’s Discount Lace, a dandy boutique for the trim-it-yourselfer. Pick up a straw boater, say, or a cotton sailor or baseball cap or a cotton slipper and trim it on the spot. There is all manner of ribbons, antique and new; fake flowers, charms, beads, appliques and laces. Hat prices start at $2.95. Prices for trims range from 20 cents for a charm to $3.50 a yard for Venise lace.

8655 S. Sepulveda Blvd.; (310) 670-4000.

Flax

Need supplies to finish that landscape? Or just something to paint your face? This store--sister to the better-known Westwood art-supply store--has all the expected stuff as well as fabric paint, those sable paintbrushes that are so great for applying makeup, and a children’s table here with create-your-own puzzle kits, origami kits and painting cases.

8801 S. Sepulveda Blvd.; (310) 641-7995.

The Place & Co.

Serious bargain hunters know about this, one of L.A.’s most established resale shops. For many a female clotheshorse, this store alone is reason enough for a trip here. The clothes bear the labels of top international names--Yves Saint Laurent, Galanos, Chanel, Escada, Genny, Issey Miyake, Tahari, Bill Blass, Ungaro, Maud Frizon, Walter Steiger and on and on, all in excellent condition. Among recent examples was a strapless red draped chiffon Bill Blass evening gown for $270.

8820 S. Sepulveda Blvd., (310) 645-1539

‘Twice’ as Nice

Do your little darlings insist on designer duds? There’s a resale shop here for them, too. “Twice” stocks new and used (mostly used) clothing, toys, books, audio tapes and some furniture such as cribs and changing tables. Tops and bottoms by Guess, Gitano, Levi’s and OshKosh are well-represented. Some, such as the small boy’s brown golf sweater with toy soldiers embroidered on the pockets ($6.50) and the small girl’s paper-bag-waist blue jeans with pink ribbons and fake pearls on the pockets ($4.50) are not brand-name but just as attractive.

6209 W. 87th St.; (310) 338-9484

Country Cabin

This pleasant store has a little of this, a little of that, but the emphasis is on vintage linens, such as hankies--white, solid colors and floral prints, trimmed with hand-crocheted edges or fagoting ($5 each) table and bed covers, dishes and glassware, and kitchen utensils. There also is a small selection of hand-embroidered vintage baby and children’s dresses. 6235 W. 87th St.; (310) 641-5550

Ceramic Rack and Needlepoints West

If crafts are your thing, you’ll want to stop in at these neighboring shops. Both are friendly shops where customers can get advice for their projects. Ceramic Rack has shelves and shelves of ceramics, china, porcelain and wooden items ready to be done up in paint or other decorations. The store also sells plain T-shirts and the paints to decorate them.

At Needlepoints West, owner Marge Roberts says, “My favorite thing is samplers, so I carry lots of those.” A kit from the World of Beatrix Potter needlepoint alphabet collection might make a nice gift ($5 for an individual letter; $20 for a larger sampler with all 26). You’ll also find beading kits and household items such as towels with special inserts for needlework. Ceramic Rack: 6227 W. 87th St., (310) 410-9927; Needlepoints West, 6231 W. 87th St., (310) 670-4847.

Anthony’s Beauty Supplies

What woman doesn’t love to poke through the lotions and potions and other odds and ends promising instant improvement? This store has racks and racks and bins and bins of hairbrushes ($1.75 to $13), a whole wall of hair-color products, and at least a little of everything else. Cheap thrills include LaFemme cosmetics ($4.95 and under) and false eyelashes ($2.50 for a way-out pair of Andrea Mods).

6218 W. 87th St., (310) 670-3187

Westchester Stationers

A store to appeal to the organizer in all of us, but particularly good if your aesthetic is stuck in the pre-computer age. Not that there isn’t plenty of modern stuff here--there is--but you’ll also see lots of hard-to-find odds and ends. Amuse yourself with a hole punch that cuts a heart shape ($2.94), or pick up an old-fashioned Leatherette photo album or scrapbook.

6249 W. 87th St.; (213) 776-2322.

Where to Eat

The Coffee Co. is a tearoom-like small place that serves breakfast and lunch: imported coffees and teas, crepes, quiches, sandwiches, soups and salads. Decor runs to mauve walls and bentwood chairs, and there’s a small patio from which you can watch the planes land at LAX.

8751 La Tijera Blvd.; (310) 645-7315.

Don’s Deli & Catering in the Triangle. In the same spot since 1951 and looks it (that’s a compliment). Listen to the banter among the longtime waitresses and equally longtime customers. Bonus: three-decker sandwiches ($6.75) named after local businesses--e.g., the TRW (corned beef, pastrami and Swiss), the Department of Airport (salami, peppered beef, bacon, lettuce, tomato), the Jacky Maeder (ham, salami, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato). Jacky Maeder? Yeah. “He made up his own sandwich and gave me $100 to have it named after him,” says manager Franklin Shields. A small price for immortality, no?

6245 W. 87th St., (310) 670-2489, (213) 776-4686.