The Boutique - Grand Opening

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon—a perfect day for a drive and a little shopping—so I headed out to Culver City for The Boutique’s grand opening. I frequently run into Bobo and his business partner at sample sales. They always have great stuff at a reasonable price, so when they told me about their new store I was excited to check it out. Plus, they are both so sweet I had to show my support.

The Boutique is located in a cute little section of Culver City that has a cozy hometown vibe. It shares a space with Gloria Rose Florist. In fact, Gloria—who has been in the floral business for 20 years—invited Bobo to share her storefront when she heard he was looking to open up a shop. It really is the perfect location because there is a hair salon next door, so when a girl walks out with her pretty new hairstyle you know she’s going to stop in The Boutique to pick up a cute outfit or accessory to go with it. And, perhaps, even a lovely floral arrangement for the home. Gloria specializes in custom arrangements that fit your budget without skimping on quality. Just name your price and she’ll make it work.

The great thing about The Boutique, aside from its fabulous selections, is the prices – everything is wholesale to the public. They have a wide selection: jeans, tops, dresses, jackets, shoes, jewelry, caps, lingerie, and bathing suits. I found a darling leather jacket for $45 that I couldn’t resist. There was also an awesome hand stitched leather bag for $110, which would easily sell for $500 or more anywhere else. The handbag and a few pieces of handmade jewelry were the only pricey items. However, the draped feather chain earrings for $30 were a bargain. You can slip the feather end in one ear, drape the chain around the back, and connect it to the other ear for a very dramatic/sexy effect. Picture it with a backless dress. Of course, there were plenty of other great finds for $20 or less – including some big colored bangles for $5.

The lingerie and bathing suits are made by Karla Gisselle. Originally from Honduras, Karla makes luxurious lingerie pieces that mix a little European flare with Latin American passion. Her bathing suits are equally sexy and accentuate the female figure. They been featured in a number of magazines and are also worn by celebrities.

Since it was the grand opening our hosts were gracious enough to serve us some drinks courtesy of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and Hypnotic. It was also nice to see the bartender from the other night. He won’t be there when you visit but I’m willing to bet you’ll still get a warm reception from Bobo and Gloria and you’ll also score some killer deals. The Boutique is located at: 4358 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA. 90230 310-391-1905. Tue – Fri: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun Noon – 5 p.m.



Narrative and photos by Nikki Neil