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 to 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 the trees that are lit up like a picture postcard. The Montrose Shopping Park continues its wonderful weekend traditions of horse-drawn trolleys and pony rides, strolling carolers, Christmas music and Santa Claus walking along the avenue handing out candy canes. For all the details log onto www.shopmontrose.com. Remember, 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 40th Annual Montrose Christmas Parade. This 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. Little known facts: it is the third longest running parade in Los Angeles, it is one of only 10 night time parades in L.A. and boasts one of the highest number of participants in a parade in L.A. as well. Pretty great for a small town. The parade theme for 2016 is hometown heroes. The parade will be honoring Ed Waldheim, Julie, Joe and Andy McClure and Betty Porto, who have all played a major part in bringing Montrose to where it is today through philanthropy, innovation and volunteerism. Also don’t forget to look to the sky at the start of the parade when we have the honor of a fly-by with Santa Claus in one of Glendale’s finest police helicopters. Woohoo! Now don’t all of these hometown traditions truly warm the heart?

Our December holiday mixer is being hosted at Boulevard 34 in Sparr Heights. Here you can mix, mingle, network and do holiday shopping. Boulevard 34 is a beautiful gift store located at 3427 Ocean View Blvd., just north of Schreiner’s Fine Sausages and Berolina Bakery. 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 in the U.S.! Anna Lopez is a local who has 10 years of retail experience, five of those in the indie/handmade scene, and has made this place flourish and thrive in the last three years since she opened. Anna also has a classroom and workspace all in one called Boulevard 34 Creative Space! Anna hosts workshops, creative classes, wine nights and seminars presented by local artists and entrepreneurs! Classes include painting and wine, jewelry making, kids classes, crafting classes and jewelry parties. She recently started Blvd 34 VIP group that is an online version of the brick and mortar shop. This space is dedicated to loyal customers to shop exclusive deals and be the first to see new products when they arrive. To join the exclusive club log onto Facebook and look up Boulevard 34 VIP Boutique.

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving with 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. 25 in the Montrose Shopping Park at the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue at 7 p.m.
December business mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Boulevard 34, 3427 Ocean View Blvd., Montrose.
Montrose Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. sharp in the 2200, 2300 & 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose.

  melinda clarke