July 7, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

One Hand Washes the Other – Brentwood Beat by Jeff Hall

Because we put out a local newspaper, we are regularly seen on the streets of Brentwood. I am often asked by local merchants to write an editorial reminding Brentwood residents to “shop local.â€
Many Brentwood store operators drive in from the Valley or other distant locations, they say their rents are too high and they wonder where the customers are. We tell them they should advertise in the Brentwood News, that everyone reads Brentwood’s community paper — and if their ad appears there, someone will surely see it and maybe even respond as a result.
They say they can’t afford to. Instead, they ask that I write an editorial asking people to “shop local,†hoping that will magically turn the tide.
If you’ve lived here any length of time, it’s hard not to think wistfully about businesses that are no longer among us. I miss Marjam’s Deli and that tiny little Book Nook (both used to be in the Country Mart); Regular Jon’s was terrific (it was so, well, “regular†); Brentwood Stationer was mighty convenient when you needed something in a pinch; great local names like Fred Sands and Jon Douglas got taken over by real estate giants and something became a little less personal along the way.
Shops along San Vicente seem to come and go all too quickly. Just as you’re starting to view them as regulars, off they go. The loss of Dutton’s was a huge blow, noticed by all. But how many lesser-known dress shops, restaurants and home décor places have seemingly disappeared into the night, noticed by few? Empty buildings are bad business for everyone; they send a signal that “something is wrong here.â€
Divino’s in Brentwood Village is a great restaurant – and probably qualifies to be viewed as an old-timer by now – but remember that cute little place that preceded it that had the choo-choo train running overhead? Or the Brentwood Inn with its old-fashioned bar which is now simply “The Brentwood†? We’ve become so chi-chi.
Less chi-chi old-timers like Vicente Foods, Chang’s, San Gennaro, Redi Chick, Early World, Susman Insurance, Fazio Cleaners, Pulp & Hide and Brent-Air Pharmacy have a way of sticking around through thick and thin. But even these stalwarts would like more of you to “shop local,†I’m sure.
Relative newcomers like Coral Tree Café and Katsuya have livened things up a bit. Many are hoping a restaurant called Fig & Olive can find a way to get into the currently empty “Terra Cotta†building at Montana and San Vicente. Still others are hoping the Charlie Munger project, Green Hollow Square, will go through and breathe new life into our community.
In recent weeks I’ve heard some say it’s too bad San Vicente Blvd. isn’t more like Montana Avenue in Santa Monica – that our sidewalks aren’t all that inviting, we have too many banks and nail salons, there’s no place to linger, that it’s time to come up with a new vision for what San Vicente should be.
New visions will take a long time to develop – and far longer to implement. In the meantime, when you do shop, remember to shop locally. It’s not a stretch to see a correlation between the health of our commercial community and property values in Brentwood. One hand washes the other.

in News
Related Posts

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

(Video) Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp from celebrated cookbook author Kiano Moju Has Been Extended Until July 3 at Citizen Public Market

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Bold Flavors and Spice Merge with Crisp, Chewy Chapati. Delicious With a Caring Chef and Staff. Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...