One of my very favorite places in Los Angeles is the original Farmers Market. Founded in 1934, Farmers Market has become a Southern California institution and a major tourist destination. Truly, it deserves an entire post of its own as it is such a beautiful landmark. On any given day, visitors can buy fresh produce, sample foods from all over the world, and visit Shine Gallery!
I guess I am a bit of a junking/treasure hunting/thrifting snob. I don't really feel like I have found a treasure unless I have unearthed it from among a pile dirty clothes, chipped ceramics, and broken electronics. There is something about sleuthing in a thrift store, bargaining at an estate sale, or broiling under the California sun at a swap meet/flea market that makes me feel like I have earned the artifact - a less-handsome, less-rugged, less-adventurous, trash-digging Indian Jones. For that reason, I resent stores where cool things are abundant and out in the open for everyone to see. Shine Gallery is really no exception to my nutty neuroticism, but I can't help but love it. Shine is a wonderland of dead stock novelties and collectibles and every time I go to Farmers Market, I come away with something awesome from Shine. This post is just a bunch a photos that hopefully, will have you making your way to Farmers Market for some food, fun, and treasure hunting!
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| Mary (Mary-Go-Round) & Jessie (Jessica Stopnik Photography) at Shine Gallery |
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| An interior view of the store. Don't let the giant $1.50 sign fool you; not everything at Shine comes at dime store prices. I go there for inspiration but usually find a few things that fit my miniscule budget. |
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| Vintage Fold-Away shopping baskets make loading up a heck-of-a-lot easier. |
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| I love the way the store is designed/merchandised. It is very clean and but far from sterile as the goods are so colorful. They even use those Fold-Away shopping baskets to stage items for sale. |
They're doing nothing to quell my fixation with pennants!
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| Pennants and the circus!!!! |
For reasons that will be forthcoming shortly, my most recent obsession is vintage circus/carnival memorabilia. I realize I am either very late to jump on the bandwagon or very early for the next
go-round.
The oversized, novelty, name buttons are a hit with me; I have two already. Unfortunately, they don't have any that say "Mr. Tiny." One day I hope to achieve "Picture Patch" status. Sadly, I think I've passed my teen idol years. Dick Clark, Ricky Nelson, and Fabian have nothing to worry about.
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| 3 great reasons to START smoking with you new Finger Cigarette Ring: "Hold your cigarette while your hand relaxes, No hazard of dropping cigarette while fatigued, No more nicotine finger stains" |
Shine Gallery carries everything from everyday, vintage postcards to more obscure and
collectible pieces like this ice-skating, beer bottle man, lamp with fiberglass shade.
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| I love Christmas stuff. I think this feather-bearded, glitter Santa would be even happier at my house. |
Babies in a box and monkeys in a sack.
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| They even have 1930's Disney merchandise! |
They carry some things that are pretty socially unacceptable, but that
offer insight into the mindset of a different time.
Vintage cowboy/girl goods! Fortunately, I have a little self-control.
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| Mary & Jessie were not above flirting with the staff to try and get a discount! |
Shine Gallery (Inside Farmers Market LA)
6333 3rd St #134
Los Angeles, CA
(323)954-4700
shinegallery.com
"Shine" - Louis Armstrong
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Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
Looks amazing! I will have to check it out the next time I am in socal.
ReplyDeleteHiya Kim! It's a pretty cool place. I'm hoping we have something down here pretty soon that warrants everyone coming to town!
DeleteAw I really miss the Farmer's Market/The Grove, I used to go all the time when I lived in LA. How long has Shine been open? I don't remember seeing the store on my visits so I'm assuming it's fairly new (though I moved to Chicago 5 years ago).
ReplyDeleteI love all their displays and I've been trying not to buy lots of vintage pennants too. Circus stuff is great, I caught the bug after reading "Water For Elephants".
Hiya Leilani! I would guess it has been open about three or four years??? The salesman said that they have been selling for about 14 years at shows and online. Fortunately, when I go in there my mostly-empty wallet forces me to use restraint. There is one thing in particular that I didn't buy and now I regret. It was a souvenir pillow cover with an Indian Chief's head painted on it. Maybe I'll find another someday!
DeleteI love going to the Farmer's Market - like a trip back in time!
ReplyDeleteMe too, especially on afternoons when it is mostly elderly people eating and having the same conversations they have been having for years. I promised myself that I will do a whole post one day.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI liked your blog and I personally invite you to join htttp://www.coollectors.com - The World's Free Collectors Zone.
We will also be happy to cooperate with your blog such as adding its link to our site.
All the best,
Diane
info@coollectors.com
Great blog! Thank you
ReplyDeletehttp://michelleanna.tumblr.com/
How funny...I was in that very store with Lauren about a year ago and I told her, "I bet Chris could find some treasures in this place". I was right!!
ReplyDelete