Chevalier’s and other Lipson Building tenants transition to their new reality
NEW SIGN for Chevalier’s Books was erected in late December at the new home of the city’s oldest independent bookstore, now at 133 N. Larchmont Blvd. In 1940, Joe Chevalier opened his original store on that west side of the street, closer to Beverly Boulevard. Photo by Duke Underwood
Longtime tenants of the Lipson Building on Larchmont Boulevard had until midnight Dec. 31 to vacate the 17,000-square-foot property located at 124-148 N. Larchmont Blvd. New owner Malibu-based Christina Development purchased the property in Oct. 2018 for $23.5 million with plans to renovate the existing structure.
Some of those tenants have found new locations while other tenants have struggled to start fresh. Here’s what we have learned so far.
Chevalier’s Books
The oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles officially has a new address. Last month, Chevalier’s Books moved across the street to 133 N. Larchmont Blvd., located between Village Pizzeria to the south and Sweetfin Poke to the north.
A new sign was quickly constructed to highlight the Chevalier’s storefront, which was once a part of the iconic gourmet grocer Albert T. Balzer Company, and, later, Jurgensen’s Grocery.
In fact, this is a return to the west side of Larchmont Boulevard for the local bookshop that was first opened on that side of the Boulevard in 1940 as a lending library located a few doors south of Beverly Boulevard.
Larchmont Barber Shop
For nearly eight decades, Larchmont Barber Shop served local residents, young and old. In 2013, George Hilario bought the shop from Jerry Cottone, who, with his father Vince, ran the barbershop for more than 70 years.
Taking the “Larchmont Barber Shop” name west with him, Hilario says that he is moving the salon to a new location at 401 1/2 S. Fairfax Ave., with two of his colleagues, Cesar Perez and Cesar Vasquez.
Hilario says that the new location will be open Sat., Jan. 2. Contact 323-464-6659.
Vincent Hair Artistry
The transition has not been easy for Vincent De Marco, owner of Vincent Hair Artistry.
Having secured a new location last October, located at 140 N. Larchmont Blvd., De Marco has been fighting to get the necessary permits and renovations complete as soon as possible, but he fears it could be several more months of work until he’s ready to welcome back clients.
“It’s been really stressful,” De Marco told the Chronicle. He requested a 90-day extension to his lease in the Lipson Building, but the request was swiftly denied by Christina Development. Visit vincenthairartistry.com for updates.
Alegria Bazaar
Opened as a pop-up shop in 2017, Alegria Bazaar by Paula Carlotto does not yet have a new location. Local residents know Carlotto from her years selling hand-made jewelry from her colorful van at the Larchmont Village Farmer’s Market. When asked about the changes coming to Larchmont, Carlotto says that she is worried that “the special community feeling is being lost.” She can recall “the golden years” of Larchmont Boulevard (her ex-husband was the chef and owner of La Luna, a former Larchmont restaurant located in the Le Pain Quotidien space and beloved by many locals in the area): “Twenty years ago, there was such a strong feeling of community between local residents and the small business owners on Larchmont, but things are changing. I worry that the younger generation is going to lose that special quality of community. Nationwide chain stores don’t care about local neighborhoods,” she said.
Carlotto told the Chronicle that she has not been able to find the right location on the Boulevard, although she says that she wants to stay local if she can. For now, she is directing people to her website for updates, alegriabazaar.com.
Other updates
Owner of Landis Gifts & Stationery Edie Frère told us that, for now, she is taking custom stationery orders at landisstationery.com.
The upstairs tenant in the building, Judy M. Horton Garden Design, is leaving Larchmont but, as Judy says, “still in business!” Her contact information is 323-440-9846 and jhorton@jmhgardendesign.com.
Lipson Plumbing is staying on Larchmont, moving its business office north of Beverly to 606 N. Larchmont Blvd, Suite 106. The telephone number remains the same, 323-469-2395.
Category: News
