Montrose, the Heart of the Crescenta Valley

Every community has a heartbeat, a gathering place so to speak that truly represents what the area is all about. And in the Crescenta Valley, that is Montrose.

With our delightful tree-lined streets, wonderful shops and delicious restaurants it is like stepping back in time. When you walk through the town you are taken back to the days when you met at the counter of the local soda shop, walked your mail down to the post office and shopped at the general store for all of your needs. It speaks of an era when life was less hectic and moved at a friendlier pace. This is what you will find when you “Come Home To Montrose.”

And our beautiful town shines its brightest during the holidays. It is so heartwarming to walk down the streets under trees that are lit up like a picture postcard. The Montrose Shopping Park will again continue its wonderful weekend traditions of horse-drawn trolleys and pony rides, strolling carolers, Christmas music and Santa Claus walking the streets and handing out candy canes. This begins this weekend right after the annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday at 7 p.m. For all the details log onto www.shopmontrose.com. Remember that when you come to Montrose to shop you are doing so much more than picking up the items you want and need. You are helping to sustain our area and our local economy. That is why we encourage you to “shop local first.”

And of course you don’t want to miss the 38th Annual Montrose Christmas Parade. This local hometown tradition is a family-focused parade with more than 150 community service and youth groups, drill teams and bands from the surrounding cities participating. The parade theme for 2014 is “Made in the USA” just like our hometown of Montrose. This year there will be a special treat! The parade will be celebrating 50 years of the Mustang automobile. Our 25 VIP entry cars will all be vintage Mustangs in honor of the “Made in the USA” car. We are the first parade west of the Mississippi to honor this great car. So keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot all 25. Also don’t forget to look to the sky at the start of the parade when we have the unique honor of a fly-by with Santa Claus in one of the Glendale Police Dept. helicopters. Woohoo! Now don’t all of these hometown traditions truly warm the heart?

Our December holiday mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 3 is being hosted in a beautiful gift store in Montrose called Boulevard 34 located at 3427 Ocean View Blvd. and catered with delicious offerings from our newest bakery in town, ETC … Gourmet Kitchen. Yummmm! Boulevard 34 is a new take on the classic gift shop. All of the products are either handmade by local artists, eco-friendly or made right here in the U.S.! Combining these elements with the laid-back feel of California, Boulevard 34 is a fresh and unique shopping experience.

Boulevard 34 is owned and managed by Anna Lopez. With 10 years of retail experience, five of those in the indie/handmade scene, Anna wanted to bring her knowledge and experience back to her hometown. She also created the Boulevard 34 creative space that is a classroom and workspace all in one! Anna hosts workshops, creative classes and seminars hosted by local artists and entrepreneurs! Classes include painting & wine, jewelry making, kids classes, crafting classes and jewelry parties. Anna is always looking for new artists to showcase and sell their work in her shop. If you have a line of handmade products she would love to hear from you. So please join us at our mixer for food, fun, networking and holiday shopping for your family and friends.

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce: Your source for all things local! Our mission is to actively support and enrich the community, vitality and pride of Montrose, to help preserve the historic district and small town atmosphere, to promote economic stability and positive, productive relationships within Montrose and the surrounding communities.

Upcoming events

Montrose tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 28 in the Montrose Shopping Park at 7 p.m. at the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue.

December business mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Boulevard 34, 3427 Ocean View Blvd. in Montrose.

  Melinda CLARK