Block by Block: Volume 10

Explore Belmont Shore with Heather Kern & Lisa Ramelow, block by block. In this Volume they visit the block of La Verne to Glendora (South) which includes Angelo’s Italian Deli, Blue Windows, The Alcove, Tillys and Limpah Cleaners

've come up with a plan, to visit every business in the shore and share my experiences. To put my plan in action I needed company and a writer, so I called my good friend Lisa Ramelow and said ... Let's Meet on 2nd Street!! Join Lisa and I as we explore Belmont Shore Block by Block!
- Heather Kern, Executive Director BSBA

Block By Block: Volume 10 - La Verne to Glendora (south). – Written by Lisa Ramelow & Heather Kern

Shopping, Dry Cleaning and meatballs. A perfect day in The Shore!

Heather and I met up at Blue Windows, to once again start up our Block-by-Block series. I don’t think either one of us know what “number” block we are on, so we just dubbed it, “the LaVerne block,” which is the south side of 2nd St., from LaVerne Ave. to Glendora Ave.

Blue Windows - by Lisa Ramelow

We were joined by Heather Duncan, owner of Blue Windows, which is always fun to have another person along on our meanderings!

And it was such a delight to get to know more about Heather D. and her journey to owning Blue Windows. She told us she had once been an opera singer - I never knew! She happened to get a part-time job at the shop in a random way, and then eventually purchased it.

Blue Windows has been there for 26 years. It is impossible to walk in and not fall in love with so many of the beautiful things that await! I immediately headed towards the Halloween themed puzzles and purchased my favorite.

Heather D. explained that she doesn’t highlight Halloween, so to speak, but instead she focuses on fall/autumn, because that encompasses a bigger season and gives her (and shoppers) more options.

It felt so cozy to walk through her store in late September, relishing all of the beautiful items, from candles to coffee mugs to jewelry and gift items. I found it impossible not to touch all of the beautiful fabrics of her clothing items, to feel their softness and specialness.

Heather D. mentioned many other little extra touches her patrons enjoy. One is gift wrapping, and she told us she is frequently busy on Sunday mornings, as ladies stop by for a special gift before heading off to a baby shower. She carries a small amount of baby clothing (up to 24 months) and it’s a one-stop shop experience with the wrapping and card purchase.

She stocks a beautiful selection of greeting cards, and explained as the seasons change, she comes in early and has her coffee while quietly arranging all of the new cards for that season. She so clearly loves her store, and her passion shows in everything she beautifully displays.

The Alcove - by Lisa Ramelow

Next up, the three of us headed next door to Alcove. We chatted with their friendly employee, Regan, who was born and raised in Long Beach. She clearly loves her job and was well versed on the history of the store, letting us know there are two other

locations, one in Malibu and one in Fashion Island. She told us that owners, Madelyn and Cristina, designed their own clothing brand, ATF, that they sell right there in the shop, as well as online. Regan described the shop as “beach casual,” but it felt far more luxurious than that to me.

Heather spotted this red bikini, and found it to be so delightful - I secretly felt maybe it should be displayed around Valentine’s Day, and not in the fall, but I held it up so Heather could take a quick photo. The label said it was “one-size-fits-all,” but, well, I’m not sure of that - I was secretly obsessed with the cream-colored bikini - none of us was in the spirit to actually try any of them on!

Limpah Cleaners - by Lisa Ramelow

Our next stop really surprised me - we went into Limpah Dry Cleaners. This has been a staple in the Shore for “forever,” (orignally Norge Cleaners) and yet I have to admit I have always gone to a different dry cleaner. It seems I’m not alone - I chatted with a few friends, and it appears to be a common theme that people get stuck on whatever dry cleaning shop they have always used. And, even if they move, they still return to that same one, over and over again. I always went to the one on Redondo, next to Smart and Final, because I was frequently there shopping for my restaurant.

But I was so taken with this sweet family of owners, Kenny and Hannah, and their son was working too - they have owned the shop for 8 years. I was so impressed with how neat and tidy it was inside, because, well, the outside of the building is, let’s say, a little worn out. But inside it is filled with smiles and cheerfulness. They said they have a steady line of customers, and noted they offer “Fluff and Fold,” which basically means they will do your laundry and fold it too!

I will now be coming here on my next dry cleaning run!

Oh, and fun fact: Of COURSE, with all the other jobs Heather has had in her life, she also once worked at a dry cleaners (Orchid Cleaners) - she seems to have worked at every business imaginable… which may be why she is so good at her job as Director of the Belmont Shore Business Association!

Tillys - by Heather Kern

Surf, Skate, and Style in Belmont Shore Since 1991!!!

I’m a daughter of a surfer, a mom of a boy, and a girl who’s always had a soft spot for that skater-meets-beach-meets-just-a-little-rebellious vibe. So it’s no surprise that Tillys has been one of my longtime favorites — and they’ve been right here in Belmont Shore since 1991.

This spot is more than just a place to grab a flannel or a fresh pair of Vans — it’s where our community has been getting outfitted for decades. Whether you're a teenager looking for your weekend fit, or a parent still vibing with those sun-faded, skater-adjacent classics (hi, it’s me), Tillys is the place.

What I love most is that they are a store of brands - brands with a point of view and an edge.

When I knew we’d be visiting I reached out to District Manager Veronica Cortes to catch up and get some info. Veronica told me that she started to work for Tillys because she loved the clothes they sold.

“We love to see kids grow up shopping at Tillys and then eventually bring their kids in to shop,” Veronica told me. “The locals really support this store, and we love being part of the Belmont Shore community. There’s no other street like it.”

That community focus is real. Tillys consistently supports school events, fundraisers, and neighborhood happenings — showing up far beyond their racks of cozy hoodies and beanies.

Did you know you can shop in-store and get items delivered the same day if they’re out of stock? That’s the kind of retail magic we all deserve. !!

Whether you're a kid, a kid at heart, or just want to look like someone who knows how to ollie — swing by Tillys on 2nd. Style, sun, and Shore spirit all wrapped into one stop.

We’re SO lucky to have Tillys in The Shore!

Angelo’s Deli - by Lisa Ramelow

Finally, we headed into Angelos!

We really enjoyed talking to 9-year-employee, Jackson, as he clearly loves his job and is well versed in the history of the restaurant. He explained that he gets asked all the time if he is Italian. He said he always answers, “if you spend enough time in the kitchen, you become Italian.” That is a great comeback!

I have to admit I have only before gotten “to-go” sandwiches from here in the past, but dining in was a special experience. Sitting at the rustic table, while the TV silently played videos from the You tube series, “Treadmill Walks,” I felt like I was suddenly in another country. And, I never knew before that they had eggplant and pastas - I need to get out more!

Heather had her favorite, the meatballs, and she took home a container of their pasta salad - she whispered to me that it’s the best ever because they do not add black olives, which she doesn’t like. I don’t like them either! So, I will be returning there soon to take some home with me.

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Every time we work on this Block-by-Block series, and spend an afternoon going to all the shops on one block, I go home with such a sense of awe. Every single owner has such pride of ownership in what they are doing. The employees are proud to be there, and to serve their patrons. Each and every place is unique and tells their own special story.

As I walk home from our experience, I always ponder, “Wow! I should open a store!”

And then I remember how old I am and…. oh, I think I did that already!

I am so blessed to be able to continue watching the entrepreneurial spirit thrive here, in my special community of Belmont Shore.