Photograph by Ashley Heifner

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A Place for Everything - Kirkwood

Start your day on Kirkwood Road, in the Kirkwood Junction area. At First Impressions Studio [1], buy a black-and-white or hand-tinted picture or a christening gown for your baby. Then head to Bicycles of Kirkwood [2], where the staff can help you find helmets, clothing, strollers and trailers for bike rides on those warm fall afternoons. For home décor that’s both country and modern, step into tranquil Sycamore Moon [3] and take inspiration. Walk next to Small Indulgences [4], at the corner of Kirkwood and Jefferson. Think of it as Kirkwood’s everyday art fair, featuring national artists alongside locally made works.  Next, turn down Jefferson and follow it to Finders Keepers [5], a shop selling new and nearly new children’s clothing. Feeling retro? Stop in at Sunny’s International Boutique [6] to free your inner bohemian. Continue on to Dolittles [7], a home-décor shop that strives for a “non–Pottery Barn look.”  (Don’t miss Blings ’n’ Things [8], a separate store inside Dolittles that’s studded with belt buckles, hats and T-shirts accented with wish-they-could-be diamonds.) Across the street and down a block or so, Blush [9] clothing boutique carries affordable L.A.-based labels such as Rachel Pally, Fresh Karma and 1921 Denim (try these jeans if you like Citizen of Humanity).

If Celtic blood runs in your veins, turn around and walk back to the Shannon Shop [10]. A few doors down, soon-to-be rock stars practice at the Music Center of Kirkwood [11].

Back on Kirkwood, turn right and head to Cornucopia [12], a kitchen-appliance shop with the latest in cooking accoutrements. If your mouth’s watering, stop at McArthur’s Bakery [13]. Continue south on Kirkwood, turn left on Argonne and walk to The Bug Store [14], with decorative stones and fountains in its windows and, inside, such flea-market whimsy as with mod rings, toys for the kids, cool door handles and Burt’s Bees lip balm—plus bugs for your garden’s ecosystem.
 
Now head east until you reach Moonbeams [15], full of kitchen and bathroom items as well as decorative street-address numbers. Sashay on down to Head to Toe Dancewear [16] to fulfill your (or your child’s) dream of becoming a ballerina. Gift shopping for a girlfriend? Cross the street to Down by the Station [17] and pick up a sweetly fragrant lotion or a Vera Bradley bag.

Turn around, cross Kirkwood and keep your eyes peeled for The Posh Fox [18], a custom-design jewelry store. Feeling more practical? Visit OK Hatchery [19] for seed, mulch, wind chimes and horse toys (big dogs love ’em). Farther down the street is Christopher’s [20], a hometown Crate & Barrel with platters by Atticus, picnic utensils, gardening tools and even Christopher Radko Christmas ornaments.

Continue south on Kirkwood to Tamou [21], a vivid Moroccan home décor shop, and Mavrik Romantika [22], where the jewelry is just as colorful, then head west on Monroe until you see the sign for Vellum [23], which creates personalized announcements and invitations. Examine their extensive paper stock until you find the choice that suits your style—what shopping’s all about.