Venice Blvd, one of LA’s main arteries, has never gotten much love. It has always been a throughway and not a destination. So hearing about Mayor Garcetti and Councilmember Mike Bonin announcement that Venice Boulevard would be the Great Street selection for the hood is pretty exciting stuff.
What does this mean? Mar Vistans want Venice Blvd. to be more like a “Main Street” than a freeway. Neighbors want a safer, more calm area that can act as a central gathering place for the community. Proposed designs have been submitted that include more mid-block pedestrian crossings, sidewalk seating, small parks (affectionately called parklets...awwww), more trash bins, safer bikeways, drought tolerant landscaping and some murals and community art to top it off. In order to execute this, part of the street space will need to be utilized. These are all changes that the neighborhood has been waiting for.
Since the Mar Vista’s Farmers Market has increased in popularity (thank you, Diana...you rock), so has this stretch of Venice Blvd. This is good news for me, as I live spitting distance from here. I love living in this neighborhood. The neighbors are friendly and it feels like a real community. We look out for each other, bring in mail, feed pets, water plants, etc. It is common for many of us to be outside in the early evenings chatting with each other. It’s the westside version of Wisteria Lane, though I don’t think many of us are particular desperate.
On Venice Blvd, one can find some cool business establishments. Sam Johnson’s bookshop with its selection of new and used books, Mitsuwa Marketplace(all things japanese, plus a great food court with some tasty Ramen selections), Council Thrift Shop (my mom loves this place and so will your wallet), the newly refurbished Bowlero Bowling alley, Surfing Cowboys with its awesome selection of mid-century modern furniture and cool tees, Bikerowave and Vintage on Venice (Check out their Instagram for what they've got) and Robinson’s Beautilities that meets all one’s costume, wig and theatre make up needs. Throw in Venice Grind Coffee Shop and Earl’s Gourmet Grub, who share a large outdoor patio space and offer delicious food and drink options, Sweet Lucie’s Ice Cream (haven’t tried yet), Status Kuo with its ridiculously good friend chicken and rotisserie meats, Louie’s with its crazy moonshine and you’ve got the makings of a kick ass little enclave.
The plans presented by our mayor and councilman can really make this micro-hood a fantastic area to amble around, window shop and, of course, eat and drink.
If you or yours are interested in moving to the area, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have
nothing but great things to say about my community and I know the neighborhoods well. It would be my pleasure to help you figure out where suits you best and find a place that meets your needs.
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