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Shopper's Guide To Silver Lake

intelligentsia
(credit: Intelligentsia)

Silver Lake shopping does not lend itself to those who are looking to buy in the big box stores. Instead, eclectic boutiques hawking hard to find items and a slew of vintage outlets recycling goods from bygone eras are what this part of town is all about. So, if you're looking for a unique gift or simply something to satisfy your whims if not your needs, take to the east side where Silver Lake will certainly capture your attention. That said, following are five special shops operating in this artistic area of Los Angeles.

Mohawk General Store
(credit: Mohawk General Store)

Mohawk General Store
4011 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 669-1601
www.mohawkgeneralstore.com

Located in Silverlake on Sunset Blvd., Mohawk General Store may just be the coolest mens and women's clothing retailer in this part of LA. For men and women, they offer all types of clothing including shoes and accessores including bags, wallets, belts, hats and more. In addition, the shop also features handcrafted home wares, leather goods and other accessories and is the perfect spot to get your hipster on. From the 'Market', shop stationary, books, magazines, apothecary, music and more.

Intelligentsia
(credit: Intelligentsia Coffee)

Intelligentsia Coffee
3922 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 663-6173
www.intelligentsiacoffee.com

Known for being some of, if not the best coffee in town, Intelligentsia definitely lives up to its hype. With only a few locations throughout LA (Silverlake, Venice and Pasadena), the location is coveted among locals and non-locals alike. The coffeebar here reflects the spirit of the neighborhood too with a casual and uncluttered atmosphere. People watching here is just an added bonus too. If you're looking for some of the world's best coffee, this is a must try.

guitar
(credit: Timothy Clary/Getty Images)

Old Style Guitar Shop
510 N Hoover St
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 660-5700
www.oldstyleguitarshop.com

If you're a music lover, visiting The Old Style Guitar Shop is a must. Featuring gorgeous refurbished and vintage guitars, banjos, euks and more, you'll get your chance to sample some of the coolest instruments LA has to offer.

Le Pink and Co.
(credit: Le Pink and Co.)

Le Pink and Co.
3820 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-7465
www.lovepink.com

Not many, if any, beauty apothecaries around town stand up to Le Pink. This decade-old Silver Lake haunt stocks all kinds of beauty items fitting a wide range of subjects, from fine bath products to impossibly pretty lingerie. What is found within this rarified Sunset Junction emporium comes from around the world, from French perfumes to Swedish soaps to Italian lotions. The nostalgic spot also offers gift bags for all occasions and facials and waxing services for those who like to multi-task when it comes to shopping in this part of town.

Berda Paradise Thrift Shop
(credit: Berda Paradise Thrift Shop)

Berda Paradise Thrift Shop
3506 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-8246
www.facebook.com/Berda-Paradise-Thrift-Store

Berda Paradise is a thrift shop with flair. The racks are packed with carefully culled and distinctively divine dresses and such that have been passed along from Los Angeles-based fashionistas who know style as soon as they see it. Add into the mix rows of cool sunglasses and top-shelf home goods like vintage coke glasses and you'll get the idea. Remember, there's always something new at this Silver Lake emporium so go often to inspect the fresh selections and you're bound to find a treasure or two.

Related: Best Shopping Malls In The Los Angeles Area

clover silverlake
(credit: Cynthia C./Yelp)

Clover
2756 Rowena Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 661-4142
www.cloversilverlake.com

From hard-to-find architectural books to cutting-edge toys to the most current pair of jeans, Clover supplies them all and then some. In fact, the collection of distinctive objects in this boutique are as carefully curated as the pieces you'll find in a top museum shop, only with a whole bunch more fun added into the mix. Indeed, the buyers at this boutique go above and beyond to find both trinkets and practical items to be treasured for years to come.

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.

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