SHOP SMALL, WITH LOVE
MAKE VALENTINE’S DAY ALL ABOUT GIVING BY SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH
IN THE fast-growing digital world of NFTs and blockchain technology, shopping for gifts in person at your neighborhood bricks-andmortar store may be the most romantic thing you can do for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. Sure, you could send them a Cameo video greeting from their favorite “Office” character, or buy something online and hope it arrives by Monday, but why not go old-school this year and support local businesses in the process? Think about it: No one is going to be shopping on Super Bowl Sunday. So get out there! (And if even that level of retail interaction seems daunting, many stores are set up so you can order a gift online and pick it up curbside.)
If you’re serious about supporting L.A.’s small businesses beyond the immediate holiday, we’ve got you covered there too. You can consult our list of 45 places to shop for gifts during the winter holidays as well as our guides to Black, Latino, AAPI and women-owned businesses, must-see pot shops, plant shops and thrift stores for zero-waste gifts, all at latimes.com/topic/guides.
ACORN EAGLE ROCK
In addition to plants, candles, ceramics and casual apparel, Erin and Laura Tanaka’s Eagle Rock store features a variety of new gifts for Valentine’s Day, including handmade jewelry by Acanthus Jewelry and Margaret Solow Jewelry and ceramic pieces by Ann Cutting. acorneaglerock.com
DREAMS
Monica Navarro and Adi Goodrich’s surrealist lifestyle shop has a selection of gifts by local makers Debbie Bean, Noto Botanics, Chelsea Mak, CARLEEN, Rose Greenberg and Brooke Callahan. Florist Yasmine Mei will host her annual f loral pop-up with bouquets available for pre-order on her website and pickup on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Sunday, Dreams will take part in the Brain Dead Valentine’s Fair from noon to 5 p.m. in the former Army Surplus store in Silver Lake (3828 Sunset Blvd.). dreamslos angeles.com
GREENWOOD SHOP
In addition to houseplants, Jaime Curtis offers luxurious bathrobes in a variety of colors, ceramic planters by Front Range, candles by Good Medicine and Boy Smells, and ceramic wall snakes by Carter & Rose for Valentine’s Day. “We see a whole Valentine’s Day angle, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden,” she said of the popular snakes. “We will have a big jar of free apples to go with your Valentine’s snake.” greenwood-shop.com
THE JUICY LEAF
Felix Navarro’s custom designs include houseplants, succulents, cactuses, tillandsia and terrariums, many of them in heart-themed planters. thejuicyleaf.com
LOST & FOUND
Jamie Rosenthal works with the Corita Art Center to create products by Sister Corita Kent, with 100% of the proceeds going to the center. Shop for Corita’s iconic 1979 artwork “yes #3” T-shirts ($38), shoulder bags ($65) and pillows ($90). lostandfoundshop.com
MARZ
In addition to unusual gifts, owner Marcia Ellinger and her daughter Jasa Cocke are stocking their South Pasadena gift shop with Valentine’s Day cards, a table of “hearty” gifts and a special jewelry pop-up on Saturday with gluten-free cupcakes. marzbazaar.com
OTHERWILD
Rachel Berk’s favorite gifts to “celebrate self-love, partnered love, deep friendship, familial love or the love you share with your ex-girlfriend who is now your best friend” include driedf lower arrangements, beeswax candles, Madhu chocolates, lubes and vibrators from Dame Products, organic cotton underwear and unique jewelry from Bebe Rouge, Notte, Girls Crew and others. otherwild.com
POKETO
Husband-and-wife team Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung will be offering a special Yayoi nail polish collection in Matcha, Pumpkin, Sakura and Infinity, new oven mitts and pot holders as well as candles, planners and bags. poketo.com
PRELUDE & DAWN
Shop for bouquets, chocolates, cards, jewelry and rose-scented candles and teas at Alison Ables’ Highland Park boutique. preludeanddawn.com
QUEEN
As an alternative to f lowers, Amorette Brooms is selling her hand-painted pink pots paired with plants this year. She is also joining DoorDash as a partner for quick, contactless delivery. queenlosangeles.com
THE SILL
In addition to its normal plant inventory, the West Hollywood store is offering hoya hearts in ceramic blush planters, the button fern (and other assorted ferns, a.k.a. love ferns), anthuriums with red bracts, “I Dig You” message pops and ric-rac cactuses. thesill.com
SPITFIRE GIRL
On Monday, Kristin Scott’s Los Feliz store will have specially curated Valentine’s gift bags with SFG products free with $50 purchase (while supplies last), cupcakes, cookies and a Love Lemonade made with hibiscus and rose petals. Tarot card reader @highprietesszuzu will be doing love reads for $20 outside the store from 12 to 4 p.m. spitfiregirl.com
TANSY
Expect 20% off everything on Saturday and Sunday at Shawna Christian and Colette Fowler’s bohemian boutique, including colorful fair-trade garlands, plants, metal bells, mobiles, pom-poms and suncatchers. shoptansy.com
TESORO
Tara Riceberg is promoting Mail-a-Hug this year: You choose a card and she’ll write your dictated note and mail it for you. She is also obsessed with the magnetic minute timer, the pairing of a pedi scrubber with foot balm from Provence with super soft socks from Barefoot Dreams from Malibu, and Love Birds pajamas. bestgiftstoreever.com
WILDFLORA
Both of Alexandra Scholtz’s full-service florist and gift shops will offer arrangements and gift boxes. “Both shops are full of Valentine’s Day gifts and treats,” she said. “As usual, customers can come in and build their own gift box in person or online.” You can also shop for WildFlora f lowers at the new Erewhon in Studio City. wildfloradesign.com