Best gift shop: Gum Tree
Gum Tree’s eclectic mix of products from all over the globe world has made the Pier Avenue boutique and café the first place you think of when in need of the perfect girft. Owner, Lori Ford has a simple philosophy. “We buy we want for ourselves or would love to give as a gift. We […]
Best brunch under $15: Sharkeez
Call it the beachy brunch – burritos and fajitas, pancakes and omelets with a Mexican theme, all served in the very bar where you may have been carousing the night before. You might look around on some weekend morning and wonder if some of the more colorful characters even left, then realize other people are […]
Best Women’s Boutique: Katwalk
KATWALK’s cute options win it the best women’s boutique for their affordable options and sassy fashion. “We’re for the girl who always wants to be in style and keep up with the trends but not blow all her money,” owner Kat Master said. “It’s always fun making girls look pretty and feel good about themselves.” […]
Best fresh produce store: Grow
Grow’s passionate-about-food owner, Barry Fisher put it very simply. “There’s no reason for people to come here if we don’t have better produce and food than the guys down the street.” Grow’s luscious pick of citrus, expansive selection of greens, and fresh-daily meat, poultry, and fish have countless locals avoiding the oh so convenient supermarkets […]
Best Jewelry Store: Seymour Jewelers
Seymour Jewelers, the “gem of the South Bay,” has been in business in downtown Hermosa Beach since 1950, when a young World War II veteran from Brooklyn named Seymour Bilowit walked by an empty storefront and decided to start his own full-service jewelry store. His son, Scott Bilowit, has continued the family tradition, which focuses […]
Best nursery/garden center: Deep Roots
If you’re looking for inspiration of the botanical kind, you’ll find lots of ideas here: from ground covers to fruit trees, beautiful pots, lush house plants, water features, garden decorations and more. Deep Roots can also design and install your landscaping. Owner Jon Bell strives to offer more than your run of the mill gardening […]
Best Wax: European Wax Center
The European Wax Center keeps customers coming back because of their 100 percent beeswax that’s made especially for their locations. They have many repeat guests because of the way they take care of the skin by cleansing, protecting and rejuvenating, all done in clean, professional, full-privacy wax suites. For first time visitors they offer a […]
Best breakfast muffin: Tammie’s Corner House Cafe
Tammie’s Corner House Café is a popular breakfast spot in Hermosa, but you will see just as many beach folk in line at the counter to buy Tammie’s muffins as you will at the tables eating omelets. Tammie Los wins for her muffins once again, with varieties like traditional blueberry and inventive raspberry chocolate chip […]
Best Tanning Salon: Cop-a-tan
Customers enjoy Cop-a-tan’s clean and abundant beds as well as their upgrade options. Their multiple locations help members get a glow from anywhere in town. There are often special offers and also offer sunless tanning. Cop-a-tan: 1133 Artesia Blvd, Suite B. Manhattan Beach. 310-372-6022 and 413 N. Pacific Coast Highway #100, Redondo Beach. 310-921-1001.www.copatan.com Runner […]
Best Men’s Barber: Alan Bailey at Mint
Alan Bailey’s attention to detail is why his customers keep coming back. “I love what I do and I have been doing to for more than 10 years,” said Bailey. “My clients come in on a regular basis and I give them top-notch service as well as something to look forward to when they come […]
Best Men’s Clothing: Spyder Surf
Nothing influences the way beach people dress more than the sport of surfing, which helps explain why our readers named Spyder Surf the Best of the Beach men’s clothing store. This year’s hottest fashion item, Spyder manager Chas Wojick said, is the Hurley Phantom Board shorts. A five-time winner of board short of the year […]
Best gold buyer/seller: Finleys
Finley’s owner David Blank can still remember when his uncle, a flashy New York stonecutter for Harry Winston, would cruise up to his house in a chauffeured Mercedes Benz. “I just thought he was the coolest guy ever,” Blank said. Blank has always had a passion for the mechanical aspect of manufacturing jewelry and watches. […]
Best grocery store: Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s may have the world’s worst parking lots, but they also have a beloved following of customers who flood the stores to buy prepared foods, packaged goods, produce, and, of course, Two-Buck Chuck. The grocer offers high-quality foods without the sticker shock you get at its competitors who shan’t be named. Multiple locations. www.traderjoes.com […]
Best Flower Shop: Growing Wild
Growing Wild has 23 years of roots in the community. Their handmade products are unique, imbued with their creative and elegant design and classic style. Many of their arrangements feature shells and local plants like succulents, making them a home-grown favorite. Their silk flowers are their specialty and according to employees most people can’t differentiate […]
Best antiques and collectibles: Stars Antique Market
Something about Stars Antique Market’s cramped, but homey corridors makes you feel like you’re rummaging through your great aunt’s attic or basement, or maybe making a guest appearance on an episode of TLC’s American Pickers. The antique haven houses over 65 eccentric antique dealers, with enormous selections of fine vintage jewelry, timeless furniture pieces, and […]
Best male bartender: Scott Perry, Charlie’s
“I think the fact that I’ve been doing this for a while…” Scott Perry, this year’s best male bartender, is first and foremost, modest. The New York native has decades of bartending experience. After graduating from Mira Costa High School, he moved back to New York for 15 years, navigating through the bar backs and […]