HIP NEST

IT’S taken 10 years, but the prediction seems to have finally come true. Eagle Rock really is the next Silver Lake.

In a space that was once a newspaper distribution center, there is now SW Hill Country -- a country-western shop that sells Wrangler jeans and plays Roy Rogers movies during business hours. A rundown house that used to hawk used cars is transforming into Larkin’s -- a contemporary soul food joint. A former insurance office is the eco-friendly clothing and design boutique Regeneration, and a defunct blueprint operation has changed into the cozy knitters’ hangout That Yarn Store.

The list goes on and on.

It would be hard to find an L.A. neighborhood that’s gentrified as quickly or dramatically as Eagle Rock has in the last couple of years. As escalating house prices forced aging hipsters out of Silver Lake and Westsiders sought more space for less money, this once-forgotten neighborhood in northeast L.A. has become a favorite nesting ground with its tree-lined streets, small-town vibe, affordable homes and top-ranked public schools. What was once a middle-class, largely Filipino enclave is becoming more hip, family-oriented and upscale, and it shows in the L-shaped corridor of boutiques, galleries and restaurants along Colorado and Eagle Rock boulevards.

Much of the place seems set to an indie-rock soundtrack. In fact, just last month, Colorado Boulevard shut down for the Eagle Rock Music Festival, which after eight years of being a mostly under-the-radar affair looked to break out as a neighborhood festival in the vein of Silver Lake’s Sunset Junction Street Fair.

On this crisp Friday night at 6:30, it’s the Raconteurs, My Morning Jacket and other indie flavors of the day that are playing as part of a moderately loud iPod mix at the Colorado Wine Co. A fashionably dressed mom in a Kelly green sweat jacket strolls in to buy a bottle of wine. Her toddler is parked near the door, bouncing up and down on the cushioned boxes that serve as additional seating during the shop’s popular wine tastings. Farther back, in a dimly lighted tasting room, couples are canoodling over the night’s flight of affordably priced wines.

It is, to be sure, a scene, but it’s a comfortable one -- more low-key than pretentious, much like the folks who’ve been moving in over the past few years.

“We just want to be the neighborhood joint,” said Jennifer Nugent, co-owner of the Colorado Wine Co. with her husband, John. “We decided on Eagle Rock because a lot of our friends had started buying homes in the area and they said, ‘Listen. It’s great for houses and it’s beautiful and it’s this and it’s that, but there’s nothing to do.’ ”

THAT was three years ago. It’s an entirely different game now. In 2005, the pace of gentrification began approaching warp speed, to the point where there are now enough shops and restaurants to offer pretty much anything you could desire.

Like many of the area’s new business owners, the Nugents own a home in the area. Instead of commuting to a faraway workplace, they decided to earn a living close to home, with a niche business reflecting their interests. The eclectic shops and restaurants that now line Eagle Rock’s two main drags are largely a reflection of who’s been moving into the area. If the Silver Lake aesthetic is hip, twentysomething and single, Eagle Rock’s reflects the next stage in life. It’s just as hip, but thirtysomething and married with kids.

Parents looking to deck out their infants and toddlers with unique boutique fare can check out Twerps, the Rockin’ Baby Shop and Swanky Blanky. For tweens, teens and twentysomethings, there’s the action-sports boutique Transport, the clothing shop Eagle Rock Underground and the comics-art toy emporium Mini Melt Too.

Moms who refuse to let motherhood destroy their sense of fashion can peruse the racks of Australian clothes and accessories at Blue Heeler, the frilly skirts of Boutique Oohlala, the independent L.A. designs at Lily Simone or the vintage styles offered at Owl Talk and Lucy Finch. And if they want to apply fashion sensibilities to their home decor, there are Latin-oriented art galleries like Cactus, Carlotta’s Passion and the Imix Bookstore and urban, functional art boutiques such as F*Art and the eco-conscious Regeneration.

In addition to clothing boutiques, art galleries and coffee shop hangouts such as Fatty’s, there’s a world of cuisines, whether it’s a pulled pork sandwich from the Oinkster, sashimi from Mia Sushi, Mediterranean kebabs from Spitz or Vietnamese at the Blue Hen. To work off the calories, there’s Pilates Eagle Rock, Impact Martial Arts and the Ballroom Blitz dance studio. And to relax, there are energy healers at the Blissful Soul, organic facials from the Garden Spa’T and knitting classes at That Yarn Store.

Late on a Wednesday morning, David Orozco is sitting on a floral couch knitting a baby blanket. Barefoot and bearded, he isn’t the sort of owner you’d imagine for a yarn shop, but this isn’t your average knitting store. In addition to offering classes and selling yarns made from bamboo, hemp and yak hair, the store is a community gathering spot of sorts. Set up like a living room, with a couple of well-worn couches and rocking chairs, this strip-mall outpost regularly hosts special events, including a monthly Spin a Good Yarn Night (where knitters share stories while working their needles), yarn swaps and Spanish conversation nights.

The concept is “a place where people could come and hang out and talk and have it be supported by a business,” said Orozco, 55, who runs the shop with his wife and two of his six children. He chose Eagle Rock because the retail space is fairly inexpensive and “the cultural mix of the community is such that there’s all kinds of people here and all kinds of economics.”

In other words, a mix of new homeowners who can afford a $600,000 mortgage and seasoned residents who are getting by on significantly less. Like all neighborhoods in transition, Eagle Rock is a mix of old and new. As trendy as the area has become, evidence of its recent past abounds.

Colorado Boulevard remains home to various mechanics’ shops, motels and old-school restaurants such as the ever-popular Casa Bianca pizza and Colombo’s -- the Eagle Rock equivalent to Silver Lake’s Dresden Room, where old-timers go for the food and live music and newbies visit for its kitsch.

Bordered by Glassell Park to the south, Glendale to the west, Highland Park to the east and the 134 Freeway on the north, Eagle Rock takes its name from the building-size boulder at the Figueroa Street entrance to the 134 West. When the light is right, a shadow is cast over an indentation that’s shaped like an eagle in flight, thus the name. A thriving, middle-class community until the late 1950s, when L.A.’s Red Car trolley line ceased operation and California Highway 2 opened, Eagle Rock isn’t on the way to anything else, which is largely why it languished -- and why it’s now coming back.

The area’s rediscovery parallels the real estate boom in the late ‘90s. The resurgence of its business district has followed suit, starting with the Swork coffee shop, which opened in 1999. At Eagle Rock and Colorado boulevards, Swork is the geographical fulcrum of the neighborhood. The dozens of businesses that have opened in Swork’s wake have all fanned out from there.

That doesn’t make the area a walking district in the vein of Mid-City’s Larchmont Village or Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue. Parts of it are walkable in stretches, but the businesses are for the most part too spread out, for now. If the pace of growth continues as it has these past few years, even that may change.

susan.carpenter@latimes.com

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For eagle eyes, ears

A selective list of coming events in Eagle Rock:

Friday

Music Night featuring country-western folk singer Lorin Hart, That Yarn Store, 7 p.m.

Saturday

“In the Beginning Was Ovum: What Makes a Woman a Woman” gallery show opening, Imix Bookstore, 8-11 p.m.

“Shut Up and Shoot” artists’ reception, Cactus Gallery, 7-10 p.m.

Open house with children’s artist Jill Fong, Twerps, 5060 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 256-7608, noon-4 p.m.

Sunday

Arroyo Art Collective tour, Cactus Gallery and other galleries 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Art collecting tips and Q&A; with curator William Moreno, Carlotta’s Passion, 2012 Colorado Blvd., (323) 259-1563, 4 p.m.

Wednesday

Spin a Good Yarn Night, That Yarn Store, 7 p.m.

Dec. 1-2

Open house with hors d’oeuvres, wine and music, Lily Simone and Cross & Brown, 5024 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 257-8060, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 1; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 2.

Dec. 2

Performance by Santa Cruz River Band, SW Hill Country, 7 p.m.

Anniversary party with DJs and a performance by musical group Quetzal, Imix Bookstore, 7-11 p.m.

Holiday Shopping Night, Regeneration/Colorado Wine Co./SW Hill Country/That Yarn Store, stores will stay open till 9 p.m.

Dec. 9

“Bliss” art exhibit opening, Carlotta’s Passion, 8-10 p.m.

Skateboard demo and music with pro skater Jim Greco, Transport (location TBD), 10 a.m.

Dec. 10

Holistic Holiday Faire, the Blissful Soul, noon-6 p.m.

Nightly

Jazz, Colombo’s, 1833 Colorado Blvd., (323) 254-9138, 7 p.m.

Fridays

Wine tasting, Colorado Wine Co., 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Farmers market, 2100 Merton Ave., (323) 225-5466, 4:30-8 p.m.

Second Saturday of each month

Northeast L.A. Arts Organization Gallery Night, various galleries, 7-10 p.m.

Last Saturday of each month

Trompers Car Club meeting, the Oinkster, 6 p.m.

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A few of the reasons Eagle Rock is rockin’

A sampling of Eagle Rock businesses that have opened in recent years:

Eagle Rock Boulevard

1. Cactus Gallery and Gifts

4534 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 256-6117.

This gallery for up-and-coming artists is also an activist hub promoting community and cultural traditions.

2. Auntie Em’s Kitchen

4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 255-0800. Gourmet sandwiches, salads and cupcakes are among the favorites at this much-loved breakfast and lunch nook.

3. Mia Sushi

4741 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 256-2562. It’s Sushi Roku with Eagle Rock style, meaning the music is pumping and the joint is jumping. If you’re looking for a traditional sushi bar, this is not it.

4. Swanky Blanky

4807 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 478-9306.

A creative children’s clothing boutique carrying styles from around the world for newborns up to size 14.

5. Transport

4866 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 550-8115.

Whether it’s decks and wheels or shirts and shoes, this skate shop has got the gear. Video cameras sold separately.

6. The Blissful Soul

4870 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 258-6900.

Metaphysics is the theme of this boutique, which offers energy healing, tarot card readings and spa parties, in addition to selling books, musical instruments, Indian clothing and Amazonian herbs.

7. Ballroom Blitz

4878 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 258-0029.

The quickstep, foxtrot, swing, samba, salsa and tango are among the dances taught in classes at this dance studio.

8. Lily Simone

5022 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 254-0530.

The pink-and-green interior says it all: This young women’s boutique specializes in hip, hard-to-find designers.

9. Imix Bookstore

5052 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323) 257-2512.

This Chicano-Latino bookstore and gallery also offers children’s art classes and story times.

Colorado Boulevard

10. Swork

2160 Colorado Blvd., (323) 258-5600.

The oldest hipster outpost in Eagle Rock, this collegiate and kid-friendly coffee shop serves up the usual lattes and pastries in a cozy, exposed-brick enclave complete with toddler play area.

11. Pomp2

2148 Colorado Blvd., (323) 257-7667.

Rock star photos ring the walls of this small, high-end salon where “we eat, drink and sleep hair.”

12. Colorado Wine Co.

2114 Colorado Blvd., (323) 478-1985.

A down-to-earth wine shop where the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the well-selected offerings are generally $25 a bottle and under. Friday night tastings are so popular, reservations are recommended.

13. The Oinkster

2005 Colorado Blvd., (323) 255-OINK.

Chef Andre Guerrero, of Senor Fred fame, has a way with pig. He cures his own pastrami at this sandwich joint, which also serves salads, burgers and chicken.

14. Pilates Eagle Rock

2002 Colorado Blvd., (323) 254-4444.

Core strength is the name of the game at this Pilates and yoga workout studio.

15. Blue Hen

1743 Colorado Blvd., (323) 982-9900.

This organic Vietnamese restaurant buys from local farmers and offers vegan as well as traditional classic dishes served in a streamlined, low-key setting.

16. Regeneration

1649 Colorado Blvd., (323) 344-0430.

Patio furniture made from old Thai fishing boats, telephone-wire baskets and elephant dung paper are among the offerings at this upscale and eco-friendly clothing and design boutique, where 10% of sales is donated to environmental causes.

17. The Chalet

1630 Colorado Blvd. (323) 258-8800.

Hip yet unpretentious, this cozy take on a ski resort is one of the most beautiful bars in the city, with a killer jukebox to boot.

18. Pollen

1583 Colorado Blvd., (323) 550-1555.

Orchids are the specialty of the house at this new, upscale florist.

19. That Yarn Store

1578 Colorado Blvd., Suite 4, (323) 256-9276.

In addition to yarns made from hemp, bamboo and yak fur, this neighborhood knitters’ hangout also offers classes and hosts special events several times a week.

20. Larkin’s

1496 Colorado Blvd., (323) 254-0934.

Just about to open, this soul food joint will serve mac ‘n’ cheese, fried chicken, smothered pork chops and other fare from old family recipes.

21. SW Hill Country

1412 Colorado Blvd., (323) 256-2500.

Owner Robert Talamantez brings some favorites from his Texas ranch upbringing to this large, well-adorned shop that sells western wear, tack, Native American jewelry and home furnishings.

-- Susan Carpenter