Louis Eafalla

Operator of Village Heights gift shop in Los Angeles for 17 years.

The store is located in Larchmont Village.

The area — which features more than 50 stores and restaurants packed along Larchmont Boulevard between Beverly Boulevard and First Street — was established in 1921, and after taking a beating during COVID, has returned to become one of L.A.’s hottest neighborhoods. Levain Bakery, Clark Street Bakery and Faherty Brand have opened shops this year, with upcoming outposts for Sweet Lady Jane, Terroni, Suá Kitchen and Superette and Jon and Vinny’s Cookbook Market joining a mix of longtime mom-and-pops.

Levain has been a particular crowd-drawer, according to many in the neighborhood, with the brand’s first L.A. location creating lines down the block. Lorna Sommerville, Levain’s chief commercial officer, says after looking at many areas throughout the city, the company’s founders were “instantly drawn to the charming feel of Larchmont Blvd, the walkable streets and the close-knit community.” It’s been so popular they even had customers camp in their cars on opening day, Sommerville says, adding, “we’re thrilled there seems to be a bit of a culinary and baked goods renaissance taking place on Larchmont.”

Canadian clothing brand DUER is also a newcomer on the street, opening up over the summer, and CEO Gary Lenett reports a similar level of early success: “We came out of the gate and we’re doing really well. I always say nothing’s as good as you ideally hope or as bad as you fear but this has been amazing — we’re really thrilled with the results in the first three months.”

And competition has become stiff, as Lenett says they competed with two brands to land the retail space. “It’s built-in foot traffic, which doesn’t exist in LA,” Eafalla says of the area’s appeal. “For people wanting to be on this street, some of them have waited for years.”