Make Montrose Your Summer Place

As I write this column I’m still glowing from a total Montrose weekend. Sometimes you have to take a break from your routine, let everything go, and escape to Honolulu Avenue. Last week I joined thousands of others and did my part in supporting the crafters that came to town as well as several of our stores and cafes. I don’t know about you, but I got some great loot at the Arts & Crafts Festival. I truly followed the advice written here and hit the streets with a new hat (purchased at the festival), market bag, sunscreen and a wad of cash.

We shopped all of the booths over two days and walked all of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard. Truly there is no place like wonderful Montrose. Have you had the experience of sitting outside and enjoying a Giuseppe’s oven fired pizza with shredded fresh basil, mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar? It’s a relaxing way to watch the world go by under the blooming purple Jacaranda trees. When you are done, walk a few doors down and check out Pattye’s Closet summer windows with a vintage barbecue theme. There’s nothing like this store anywhere.

For dessert, head on over to the newly opened Polkatots Cupcakes at the corner of Honolulu Avenue and Verdugo. It’s bright and cheery and the cupcakes are fresh, cute and delicious. There are two sizes and lots of great flavors. It’s fun to try a couple of the small sizes to start.

Another new store that is a “must visit” is It Takes A Village, 2317 Honolulu Ave. next to Revelation Tops. This children’s clothing store is the brainchild of local Mom GiGi Garcia. GiGi has such great and creative taste! The clothes are so fun and unique that if they came in my size I would want to shop there. Check out the themed tees with The Beatles standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

There is so much more to write but alas there is always next week. In the meantime a big thank you to all of the behind the scenes workers that made our Arts & Crafts festival such a success and a joy from beginning to end. Thank you Dee Ovenden, Dale Dawson, Linda McMenamin, Mark Sheridan, Steve Pierce, Melinda Clarke, Ken Grayson, Danny Pranata, Alfonso Milanese, Barbara Fraser, Matt Zakarian, the GPD and all who helped.

Whether you are close or a few “hoods” away, think of Montrose as your summer place to shop, dine, spa, style and get away.

See you in Montrose!

  Mary Dawson