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Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
Image via Yelp
Michael Choi ditched his career in the health care industry to set up Life After Denim. With his business partner and childhood friend Alexis Frey, Choi's mission was to bring wearable and approachable menswear to the masses. Now he lives in Pasedena, but whenever he's on La Brea he makes sure to stop in to General Quarters.
"The place that first enters my mind [when asked about where I shop] is General Quarters on La Brea across the street from American Rag. The owner Blair is a great guy whose interests include vintage motorcycles and American heritage, and his store certainly reflects that. It's spacious, clean and cool—and the product is very accessible. Blair has great personal taste and it's reflected in the products he sells. He's not afraid of trying new and/or obscure brands, as long as he believes in the product and it fits into his point-of-view. For example, I recently found a really great denim jacket from Australian brand Deus. He also carries his own line of T-shirts and jewelry, as well as miscellaneous accessories to round out the lifestyle that he so clearly believes in."
· General Quarters [Official Site]
· life/after/denim [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked LA]