Abbott-Kinney is a small stretch of three blocks in Venice Beach–the “Westside” of LA. I don’t know the entire history of the area, but it was originally founded by tobacco millionaire Abbott Kinney and called Ocean Park in 1905. In 1911, the name was changed to Venice, and in 1925 it became part of LA.
A few miles inland from the more tourist sections is a neighborhood called “Oakwood”. This area was designed during a period with restrictive real estate “covenants” (California’s version of southern segregation), and during the 1930’s and 40’s it was built to house the large numbers of African-Americans pouring into LA to work the oil fields. In the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s the Beat generation of artists and poets would inhabit the area, and even today, although there is a truce, the Venice 13 and the Shoreline Crip gangs would have a presence.
That’s the history…Back to today. Real estate and retail in Venice is at a high high. People may look hipster, but the scuffed boots, torn tees, and ragged jeans cost hundreds and the stores that sell the merch have the attitudes to prove it. LA has always been a place where people look over your shoulder while they talk to you in case someone more important arrives behind you–and the store owners in areas like Venice, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and even more up-and-coming neighborhoods like Los Feliz, and Silver lake are the same.
San Diego may not have the most cutting edge fashion—I’m certainly not the first or last to say it. But we do have boutique owners who cater to ALL customers with equal kindness. No worries, no one here will snub you. Whether it’s La Jolla or Del Mar, or Rancho Santa Fe, the young women who own and work in our stores are kind. They smile, they help, and they serve even when the clothing is expensive and the clientele is simply window-shopping.
