Bobbie Fashionably Bridges a Gap in Echo Park

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Echo Park has really come into its own as a shopping destination, but up until lately, there weren't a lot of options for reasonably priced, new, women's apparel. (No, we're not counting American Apparel or any of the other, uh, colorful stores that scatter Sunset Blvd. on either side of the Sunset and Echo Park intersection).

Enter Bobbie, just north of Sunset and Alvarado. The store opened during the holiday season; judging from the prices and the cute merchandise, we're guessing they did pretty well for themselves.

Bobbie is sunny little space stocked with younger-leaning, established labels like Mink Pink, BB Dakota, and Jack by BB Dakota; in addition to smaller indie labels like Motel, American Gold, and Spanish Moss Vintage. The vast majority of the merchandise is well under $100, including a variety of party dresses and happy frocks for $50 to $70, well-designed tees, jewelry and jackets. The more expensive merchandise is pretty exceptional, and still a bargain for the price. Like buttery soft clutches for $160 and an amazing band jacket for $265. (But they carry a less glitzy alternative; still well made and striking for $69.)

As you would expect from a store this new, it's still something of a work in progress. Kate, the owner, buys merchandise very selectively—and just a few pieces of each item, so the clothing turns over very quickly. The moral to this story: drop by Bobbie often, and if you see something you like, buy it there and then. 'Cause someone else will probably snatch it up before you make it back. Bobbie is open Tuesday to Thursday, 11am to 7pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 'late'; and Sunday, from 12pm to 5pm.
· Bobbie [Official Site]