If your first thought pulling into the ROW DTLA ten-story parking structure is, “whoa, this is one big-ass parking garage,” then the wool is not being pulled over your eyes.
The massive parking structure supports nearly 30 acres and over 200,000 feet of revitalized retail, creative and art space in what was once the epicenter of produce trade in Los Angeles. It takes a lot of chutzpa to develop the looming industrial noir property, but Runyon Group have already softened the Blade Runner-esque landscape with rows of vertical gardens and a handful of with-it retailers.
Runyon hopes to curate the ground level with over 100 high end shops and restaurants, while the brooding and austere warehouses above shoppers will be seized by companies as sought after office space.
The current vibe of ROW stores may not always be Los Angeles practical, but who cares? Instead, Portlandia chic lifestyles thrive, establishing an alternative to the corporate glitz or pseudo grit of shopping destinations like Beverly Hills, Melrose and Abbot Kinney. Grab your matcha and check out six of our favorite ROW DTLA stores.
Vrai & Oro
Leonardo DiCaprio is a big investor of this ethical jeweler that makes many minimalistic and contemporary designs. Finally, you can be guilt free crowing about your diamonds in public because Vrai and Oro’s diamonds are conflict free. That’s right, they are grown in a lab and hold identical compositions as their earthen cousins (as well as the same price).
Omamimini
The children’s clothing brand prides itself on “pint-sized versions of mom’s favorites.” Yes, the faux fur Himalayan pink jackets are ostentatious, but they are also very cute. They are not as cute, however, as their narwhal and owl print onesies. Chic parents looking for toddler apparel to complement their own high fashion taste will swoon for Omamimini.
Bridge & Burn
Forged by the lumbersexual tides of the Pacific Northwest, Bridge & Burn brings men and women top shelf flannels, matchstick pants and beanies that scream, “I’m outdoorsy!!!” while their branded matches read, “may the bridges I burn light the way,” and their graphic tees: “whisky will do.” Angelenos layering for cool winter nights and weekend trips to Mammoth will find comfort in the cozy fits.
Gossamer
This internationally recognized store collects vintage and designer women’s wear specializing in wedding dresses. Stroll the aisles arranged by color: eggshell, ivory, baby powder, snow, cornsilk, champagne and flax. The few atypical dresses stick out like well manicured (but still sore) thumbs. The shop also makes custom dresses for your special day.
tokyobike
Perhaps Tokyo Bike and its handsome line of city bikes will help transform Los Angeles from a cyclist's nightmare to a commuter’s paradise. The Japanese bike company makes sleek bikes in a variety of personalized styles and colors at a price that is an absolute steal.
Mission Workshop
Moving from their Sunset Silver Lake location, the SF weatherproof bag and technical apparel store brings the ROW high quality, minimalistic wear that bridges the gap between outdoor and urban wear, transitioning easily between using breathable, commuter-friendly fabrics to reduce sweating. Both their bags and wear are downright bombproof and hopefully your wallet is too.
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Revising the western myth and crooning the sand dune tunes, Miles Griffis is a Los Angeles-based, Colorado-infused writer with ears for coyotes, culture and adventure. There is kindling by the fire, stoke Miles with your story— confettiwesterns.co.
Header image courtesy of ROW DTLA