Best of the Beach 2019 – Home Services
Frank and Roxanne Halstein offer old school locksmith service, and high tech as well, but advise caution.
Locksmith
Hermosa Lock and Key
Frank Hallstein isn’t a big fan of electronic home locks and transponder car keys.
“I work on them. I’ve got $70,000 worth of computers to figure them out. But I think they’re silly. A car key cost $6 when my dad started making them in 1975. Today a car key can cost $400. And now Amazon is asking customers to give them a one-use code to their homes so packages can be left inside. But, what happens when a kid follows the Amazon person in the door and says, ‘I live here?’”
Hallstein contends that restricted keys that can’t be duplicated without documentation offer better security without the exorbitant costs, or complications.
Silliness aside, Hallstein said he and his wife Roxanne still enjoy running their “meat and potatoes” shop on Pier Avenue.
“We’ve got customers we helped when they were single, after they married and after they had kids who needed car keys and now need house keys,” he said.
Hermosa Lock and Safe Shop
3820, 423 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
(310) 372-3557
Runner-up: Steve’s Lock and Safe
3401 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach
(310) 546-3391 steves-lock.com
Bob and Jim Cook, the Click, and Clack of doors and windows
Doors and Windows
Cook’s Doors and Windows
Cook’s has been at the same South Bay location since 1923 and is still owned by its founding family. Jim and Bob Cook continue the same quality and service that their father and grandfather began offering the South Bay nearly a century ago. Over the decades, they have become Los Angeles’ premier provider of interior and exterior doors, replacement windows, and molding. “For three generations, the Cook family has delivered accurate information, expert field service, and hands-on assistance,” said Jim Cook. “ Whether your project is new construction or a remodel, Cook’s has the products to match your vision and budget,” said Jim Cook.
Cook’s Doors & Windows
14410 Hawthorne Blvd., Lawndale
(310) 679-2212 cooksdoorsandwindows.com
Runner-up: Discount Glass & Mirror Co
2240 Lomita Blvd., Lomita
(310) 530-7655 discountglassandmirrorco.com
Furniture store
Living Spaces
If you can sit on it, lie on it, serve dinner on it, put your feet on it or display your books and collectibles in it, it can be found in the spacious and attractive showroom of Living Spaces. The store stocks the highest caliber furniture, from sofa and side tables to office chairs and file cabinets, and the best brand name mattresses and foundations at its Revive Sleep Center area. The showroom also features chic accessories from accent pillows to lamps and sconces. The prices, quality, and selection won our readers’ “Best Of” nod.
Living Spaces
1519 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach
(877) 266-7300 livingspaces.com
Runner-up: Jerome’s Furniture
18850 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance
(858) 924-1879 jeromes.com
Plumbing
Mattucci Plumbing
648 S. Irena Ave., Redondo Beach
(310) 543-2001 mattucciplumbing.com
Runner-up: Lucien Plumbing
1212 Aviation Blvd., Redondo Beach
(310) 372-3565
Carpet Store
Banner Carpets Flooring Center
18814 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance
(310) 327-6924 bannerflooring.com
Runner-up: Carpet Spectrum, Inc.
1050 Aviation Blvd., Hermosa Beach
(310) 376-4344 carpetspectruminc.com
Swimming Pool/Spa Store
ABC Pool & Patio
24449 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance
(310) 373-0935 outdoorfurniturestoretorrance.com
Runner-up: Leslie’s Pool Supplies, Service & Repair
5054 W. 190th St., Torrance
(310) 371-7272 lesliespool.com
Tile Store
Cal Tile Center
5108 W. 190th St., Torrance
(310) 698-4586 caltilecenter.com