A beloved Los Angeles nook retailer has traded dusty cabinets for designer vibes — and a few longtime Venice residents say the makeover has stripped away a bit of neighborhood historical past.
The century-old constructing at 1915 Penmar Ave., dwelling to the neighborhood market since 1935, has reopened as Bodega & Palms after an in depth renovation that reworked the once-humble comfort retailer right into a vibrant, boutique-style market stocked with artisanal eats.
The revamped store sits in the identical historic constructing that housed generations of nook shops, most lately Mitchell’s Little Market, a neighborhood establishment the place locals stopped for the whole lot from snacks and groceries to beer and wine.
Over the many years, the market modified palms and names — first Jack’s, then Gilbert’s and finally Mitchell’s.
New homeowners Phil and Kaila Neuville moved to Venice in 2021 and bought the market three years later after longtime proprietor Mr. Woo died. They stated they promised Woo’s household they might protect the shop’s legacy whereas giving it new life.
After two years of renovations, the darkish, roughly 800-square-foot market now options skylights, uncovered ceilings and a contemporary coat of paint.
A brand new mural can be within the works honoring Woo and the shop’s previous, the message on the aspect of the constructing reads, “The little market since 1935.”
“A small reminder of the historical past we get to proceed,” the homeowners wrote on social media.
“We can even have a mural drawn of Mr. Woo and the unique Mitchell’s and cling it within the new market,” they instructed YoVenice.
The shop formally reopened Wednesday, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner objects from native distributors alongside specialty drinks and upscale grocery objects.
“We can even be that includes native distributors by serving ready meals resembling focaccia sandwiches and breakfast burritos. There can even be native, distinctive beer and wine choices,” the proprietor stated.
The menu additionally options stylish choices together with matcha, mesquite espresso and soft-serve ice cream.
Many longtime residents welcomed the revival.
“The messages from individuals who grew up within the space have been so significant!” the homeowners wrote.
“Two brothers messaged us individually saying how Mitchell’s was a vital staple of their childhood… using scooters to seize strawberry shortcake ice cream.”
“Neighbors who dwell of their childhood houses have instructed us tales about how Mitchell’s was the primary place their mother and father allow them to stroll alone with just a few {dollars}. They went after college every single day.”
However not everyone seems to be elevating a toast to the upscale reboot.
The reopening ignited a heated debate on a Venice neighborhood Fb web page, the place critics blasted what they see as one other signal of the neighborhood’s relentless gentrification.
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“Heartbreaking. I grew up on Preston Manner within the mid Nineteen Seventies to mid Nineteen Eighties. My brother & I all the time walked over to the little retailer. I keep in mind the 25 cent Now & Laters,” one resident wrote.
“It was known as Gilbert’s Little Retailer earlier than the brand new homeowners renamed it Mitchel’s after their son. Many Many fond reminiscences!”
Others argued the neighborhood had misplaced a sensible comfort retailer in favor of one other stylish vacation spot.
“We’re dropping a priceless neighborhood amenity that made this space way more walkable, for a revenue grabbing seize and go espresso store that’s probably not wanted, there’s a number of espresso outlets inside strolling distance,” one other commenter wrote.
“The character and allure are gone, one other sufferer of gentrification.”
One other native predicted the transformation is just the start.
“Within the subsequent 10 or much less yrs there will likely be no extra Mother n Pop shops or any authentic shops in Venice they’ll all be like what you see on Abbott Kinney,” the commenter wrote. “If you don’t personal the property they’ll increase the hire to get you out as they already are …”
