by Ralph Doyle
Hermosa jeweler winding down
Seymour Jewelers, a mainstay in downtown Hermosa for over seven decades, isn’t closing as the liquidation sale signs suggest. Owner Scott Bilowit said he still has four years left on his lease. But after the current holiday season he is easing into retirement, and leaving management duties to long time employees, Jeremy Hall, Pam Mock and daughter Sarah.
Scott’s Brooklyn-born father Seymour Bilowit opened in 1950, when Harry Truman was president. The wagered customers $50 if he couldn’t fix their watch, and according to son Scott, he never lost the wager
Scott took over the story when his father retired in 1987.
It’s not just precious metals and stones artfully arranged, that the Bilowits offered generations of Hermosans. “Beauty, love and memories are in everything that leaves our store. You can’t put a price on sentiment,” Scott said. As evidence he noted he wears his father’s Mason ring every day to work. “Just wearing his ring, I feel close to him,” he said.
Through the holidays Seymour Jewelers is holding a sale that will make loving sentiments a little less costly.
Seymour Jewelry is located at 1212 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach. Semourjewelry.com.
Snowboarding (sales) at the beach
Snowboard retailer Wave Rave Los Angeles held a grand opening party last month for its new location at 19400 Harborgate Way. Wave Rave LA is the third snowboard shop owned by Steve Klassen, who founded Wave Rave Mammoth in 1989, and opened the Bishop Wave Rave Outlet in 2013. Klassen’s partner in the new location is Jon Hirsberg, owner of sports distributor JR286, and founder of the Manhattan Beach Tour de Pier. The annual stationary cycling event has raised nearly $10 million for cancer research over the past decade.
Wave Rave LA’s marquee was built by Wave Rave’s John Scobie from recycled snowboards. The interior mural is by snowboarding legend Jamie Lynn. Brands include Volcom, Dakine Electric, Vans, Dragon, Thirty Two, 686, and Burton.
For more information visit WaveRaveSnowboardshop.com.
Pure Bliss Opens
Pure Sound Bath owner Lynette Toma, and Redondo Chamber of Commerce ambassador Mark Van Norman (with scissors) are joined by customers and friends during the yoga and sound bath studio’s opening two weeks ago. Pure Sound Bath is located at 310 Vista Del Mar, Suite B, Redondo Beach. For more information call (310) 388-4598, or visit PureSoundBath.com.
Flair Cleaners’ says ‘clean out the closet’
Flair Cleaners is holding its 19th Annual Holiday Clothing and Shoe Drive through December 31. All types of clothing are needed in all sizes, including accessories such as gloves, scarves, hats, belts and purses. Remember to empty all pockets before donating. Donations will be cleaned, if needed. Customers and non customers can bring donations to Flair Cleaners at 1900 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach, (one Block East of Aviation). Pickup and Delivery customers may leave a marked bag out with their cleaning orders. Donations will be given to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission and Helping Hands for the Blind.
For more information visit FlairCleaners.com.
Ballet at the beach
Robbie Downie was in her second year performing with the Colorado Ballet when COVID canceled the company’s performances. Having spent six years teaching ballet, she decided to return to Southern California, where her family lived, and open the West Coast Ballet School. She was joined by her sister Kyla, who is also a professional ballet dancer and teacher, and her mother Gina, WCBS’ business manager. Classes are offered for children four and older, and for adults, based on the Vaganova method. Instruction focuses on barre and building a strong foundation for both recreational dancers and those training to become professional dancers.
WCBS is located in the Hermosa Beach Community Center, at 710 Pier Avenue. For more information call (858) 703-7214, or visit WestCoastBalletSchool.org.
Gaga goes gaga over El Segundo
Lady Gaga’s vegan cosmetics brand, Haus Laboratories is among the tenants at newly opened The Collection, next to Plaza El Segundo. The creative office campus was formerly home to retailers Bebe, Gap, Crew and Banana Republic. The conversion from retail to office reflects a growing trend toward a mix of retail and office. The 48,000 square foot office campus is walking distance to Plaza El Segundo and The Point.
News about South Bay businesses may be submitted to Easyreader@easyreadernews.com, att: Word on the Street. ER
