A Memorable Year in the Montrose Shopping Park!

Once a year, at CV Weekly anniversary time, I like to take a trip down Memory Lane and reminisce about the things shared here over the last 12 months. So let’s go on a little adventure together, shall we?

Last year was a banner year for the MSPA (Montrose Shopping Park Association) with lots of newness. We welcomed new board members Andre Ordubegian (Copy Network) and Corey Grijalva (Joselito’s) and hosted a “Meet & Mingle” for merchants and City of Glendale officials to get to know each other better. With the help of Tikran Siranians (515 Creative), a brand new website www.shopmontrose.com was launched. We also forayed into television with our first MSP Christmas commercial featuring the Merry Montrose Carolers. A brand new event, White Friday, was added to our calendar with a town tree lighting and real snow!

We had some major stars in town doing their Hollywood thing. Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs walked Honolulu Avenue filming his TV show “Awake.” Shortly after Helen Mirren graced Faye’s for the upcoming “Hitchcock, The Movie.” Montrose is also a favorite filming destination for “True Blood” and “Sons of Anarchy.”

Exciting changes happening on Ocean View Boulevard were shared and they continue today. A new antique store and a soon to open sandwich and bakery shop are joining Paper Rabbit on the borders of the MSP.

Now you all know how much I love to write about food. Montrose is becoming a “foodie paradise.” Giuseppe’s is the place to go for casual Italian with homemade sauces, fresh pizza, cold beer on tap, and my favorite salad with blue cheese dressing on iceberg lettuce with garbanzos, Italian meats and cheeses. Three Drunken Goats continues to please with Spanish tapas, a wine lovers menu and live music. Along came Baked with Le Cordon Bleu expertise behind it and pastry photos were shared.

In the beauty department, you got to meet Ann, owner of Perfect Touch Hairdressers who’s been rockin’ hair for 30 years. She looks the part and is a walking advertisement for her business. We also explored gourmet facial territory at Spa Pura. They insisted I experience one to better write about it. Now that was fun!

What a treat it was to write about Ken Grayson, MSPA president and longtime owner of Grayson’s Tune Town, thanksgiving at Twigs & Things, the Mars watch and custom designs from Executive Jewelers, pottery design fun at Color Me Mine, the new owners of Critters, skateboarding know-how at Billy’s Board Shop, and our colorful new kids store It Takes A Village.

Thanks for taking the anniversary tour and for continuing to support the Mom & Pops of the Montrose Shopping Park. See you back here next week!

  Mary Dawson