Video by Sarynelli Valerin.
In our final installment of Best of Long Beach 2014, we look to the people and the businesses who help us make our own lives a little easier, liven up our professional endeavors, or simply provide us some relief from the stresses of the day-to-day with a some good ol’ fashion American-style consumer catharsis.
We asked where you go when you’ve got errands to run, business to take care of, or are just in need of a little retail therapy, and you answered; well over 60,000 of you joined in to root for your favorites in each category. Some of your top picks won by a landslide, while others were hotly contested, but the one thing they all have in common is that they all make Long Beach a unique, special, and beloved place to live.
Salvage Life
Best Place in Long Beach to Find a Gift for the Person Who Has Everything
By Asia Morris
With a curated mix of vintage offerings and brand-new merchandise, shoppers at Salvage Life are sure to find at least a few one-of-a-kind gifts for some very lucky friends or family members. Beth Giles, who started Salvage Life in 2006 after working as a showroom assistant and visual merchandiser, developed a keen eye for well-made clothing and stylish vintage apparel.
“At Salvage Life the goal is to give locals a place to find a beautiful mix of vintage and new items that bring a smile to your face and make sense for your everyday life,” said Giles.
Vintage jewelry, stationery by Rifle Paper company and candles by local Long Beach maker, Wilderess (who won Best Handmade Goods in Long Beach this year), are some of the most popular items in the store. Several of Giles’ hand-picked vintage dresses have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift and Fiona Gubelman (Wilfred on FX) and have been featured in several publications and blogs such as USA Weekend, People Magazine and Design Sponge.
Giles said, “I am thrilled to win this category! Though Salvage Life has received attention from bloggers, stylists and design websites, this recognition from our community where I live and work means everything to me.”
Salvage Life will be open right up to the last hurried hours of your frantic gift search on December 22 and 23 from 10:00AM to 7:00PM. The shop also offers year round gift wrapping, free of charge.
For more information and to shop online visit the Salvage Life website, call (562) 726-1147 or visit the store located at 3712A Atlantic Ave.
The Academy
Best Men’s Store in Long Beach
By Jason Ruiz
Bo and Sam Samreth, the brothers behind Long Beach boutique The Academy know how hard it is to find the perfect pair of jeans. They may fit in the legs but not in the waist. The legs are too short or the pocket too shallow. No two bodies are the same, that’s why at The Academy the denim is meant to be personalized. Heck, they’ll even tailor stuff you bought at other stores. This level of helpfulness and their unabashed attention to detail are just a couple of the reasons why The Academy was voted Best Men’s Shop for 2014. Putting the customer first is the way of life at this 1st Street clothier.
“In essence, that’s what we’re about,” Bo said. “It’s as if each customer has their own shop. We look at it from what you would want out of a store versus you going in and the store or the brand telling you what you should wear.”
Whether it’s their Easy Rider denim, designed to be a functional addition to any cyclist’s wardrobe, or the meticulously-planned, brilliantly-executed World Peace Day floral button up, the brothers Samreth are interested just as much in the quality of the fabric as they are the stories that their garments tell.
“One of the best experiences is having your own denim come back to you for repair and then seeing how much life was put into it,” Bo said. “Depending on what they do, their job, their lifestyle, you can see the story behind each denim. Our denim, if I had to pick one, that’s my favorite item.”
There are no sales at The Academy, Bo noted, explaining that they price their in-house items fairly, which eliminates the need for fluctuating prices. And while their selvedge denim pants might be pricey, they come with a lifetime warranty on the hardware. The durability of their products follows what Bo called a responsibility, as much as it is a desire to be green, efficient and minimal.
The Academy is located at 429 East 1st Street.
Anthony Barrios and long-time client Winnie. Photo by Brittany Woolsey.
The Pet Set
Best Pet Groomer in Long Beach
By Brittany Woolsey
The groomers at the Pet Set establish bonds with their dogs, and they believe that’s what sets them apart from other groomers in Long Beach.
Owner Jose Fonseca founded the Pet Set in 2003 as a daycare and boarding center for dogs. Eventually, in 2006, he began adding grooming services.
“We have a lot of regulars,” said Anthony Barrios, who has been a groomer at the Pet Set for four years. “Since we have the daycare, they’re here during the day and get groomed before they go home. We have great bonds with the dogs because we get to play with them and groom them. We get to know them, and that makes them more comfortable with us.”
Manager Luis Fonseca said the store grooms between 30 and 40 dogs on an average day, and upwards to 50 or 60 on a busier day.
The store offers both dog and cat grooming, and hopes it can eventually expand to service other animals, like birds and guinea pigs.
“This is the first time we’ve ever won best groomer, so it feels great,” Luis Fonseca said. “We’ve won best boarding before, but I’m glad that our groomers are getting the recognition they deserve.”
The Pet Set is located at 3690 Cherry Avenue, and offers grooming, daycare, boarding and training services.
Neutral Grounds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Best Place to Learn a New Skill in Long Beach
By Jason Ruiz
You don’t have to be a new business to be voted the best place to learn a new skill; Neutral Grounds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy opened in 2004 but was the overwhelming winner for Best of 2014.
Evaldo Lima came up with the name Neutral Grounds because he wanted something that reflected the ideology of his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym. Yes, they teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and yes, Lima is one of the best in the world, but they’re welcoming to all disciplines of martial arts. The academy offers classes in Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and muy thai kickboxing. They also offer children’s classes—although Evaldo’s wife, Betty, explained that it takes a lot to convince parents that it isn’t the violence that you see in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
“Jiu-Jitsu is a self defense skill and teaches you to defend yourself from the most vulnerable position,” Lima said. “A lot of people still don’t know much about jiu-jitsu, espcially parents. Most of the time they think this is karate until we tell them. Then they see the difference, that this is more real life, especially for kids. In jiu-jitsu we teach them how to get away, more of a defensive martial art.’
Evaldo was the sparring parter of BJJ legends and UFC Hall of Fame Inductees Royce and Rodrigo Gracie and earned the only black belt ever awarded by the latter Gracie. Although he hasn’t competed this year, Lima ranks first in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). The gym offers free one-week trial periods for anyone wanting to test the waters but not wanting to commit to a contract up front.
Located at 2451 E. Willow Street, the academy draws its over 150 members from all over the southland as they seek out the expertise of Evaldo’s teaching. Although you won’t become a black belt over night, Lima says that her husband teaches persistence and that BJJ is a marathon, not a sprint.
“With martial arts or any skill, you have to want to learn. otherwise you’re not going to keep at it, and we’re open to teaching,” Lima said.
Mike Dunfee
Best Real Estate Agent in Long Beach
By Brittany Woolsey
Mike Dunfee became involved in real estate in 1996 on a whim, and learned he had a knack for it. He also learned, further into his career, that working in real estate was in his blood.
“A funny back story is that I did not grow up around my father,” he said. “I did not get to know him until later in life, long after I established my career in real estate. It turns out that he is a successful real estate broker back in the mid-west, along with my grandfather and my uncles.”
Through his work in real estate, Dunfee said he has established a connection and personal relationships with his team and clients.
“Even with the extraordinarily tough times the real estate market went through recently, there have been many Long Beach success stories,” he said. “Some were just getting people out of homes that were either investments gone bad or financial drains. Others include people fortunate enough to buy during those tough times. It is such a relief and pleasure to see people again selling a home or condo and actually walking away with some proceeds from the sale. I guess the only guarantee is that if you never buy, you will never make money in real estate. Investing in real estate is unique in that it is only investment in which you can make your home and build relationships with those around you. I feel fortunate to be there to guide people through the process.”
Whether you’re searching for one of Long Beach’s iconic mid-mod masterpieces, a classic craftsman, or just a place cozy enough to call “home,” Dunfee’s services are available, and he’s always reachable by email at [email protected] or by phone at 562-221-2187.
Wildress
Best Handmade Goods in Long Beach
By Asia Morris
Making environmentally- and consumer-conscious lip balms, candles and vintage jewelry is Kristina Kochan’s passion. Owner, founder and maker of Wilderess, a small business born from a distaste for chemical-ridden products and their natural counterparts that still weren’t up to par, Kochan has been in business for a year and a half to date. She graduated from CSULB in May 2012 and started working for a company that provided her a great salary, yet had terrible ethics, she said. So she quit and started Wilderess in June of 2013.
Her loyal fans and customers love her handmade products because they lack any of the usual chemical culprits that most buyers would or wouldn’t know to consider harmful. Ukrainian sunflower seed oil, organic beeswax and organic coconut oil are just a few of the natural ingredients she uses to make her lip balms. Her candles are also made with natural ingredients, while she sells vintage jewelry in the spirit of reducing waste and consumption.
What sets Kochan apart from other makers selling their wares in Long Beach is the special attention she gives each and every one of her customers, her transparency and the hours upon hours of research she spends in an effort to create and perfect her lip balm and candle recipes.
“As a one-woman show, it’s definitely hard to juggle customer service, production, advertising, and accounting, but I try to give my customers top-knotch care in every sense of the word,” she explained. “In regards to ingredients, I’ve done hours of research before my products ever went into production. I founded Wilderess based on the notion of informed consumerism so I’ve outlined all my ingredients and what each one does on my website.”
“I feel extraordinarily flattered and honored to be nominated alongside extremely talented local makers,” she continued. “I’m even more motivated to now continue building my brand and expanding my product line in the coming year.”
Currently, Kochan is working on a new specialty line of scents and products set in vintage-inspired jars. You can purchase items from her website or find her consumer-conscious wares in shops around Long Beach.
You can find Wilderess items at MADE in Long Beach, Make Collectives and Salvage Life.
{gallery}bestof2014/wildress{/gallery}
Magnolia and Willow
Best Place to Score a Deal in Long Beach
By Brittany Woolsey
A vintage wine rack for $12.50. A Hawkeye Kodak Camera for $15. A leather chair for $45.95. Magnolia and Willow is, indeed, Long Beach’s best place to score a deal.
Emily Yep, owner of the store located in the Wrigley neighborhood, said she’s excited her store was recognized for having such great deals.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “We pride ourselves on having really good deals. We even try to price ourselves lower than eBay sometimes. It’s good that people are seeing that we’re a great place to come to score a deal.”
Magnolia and Willow is located at 490 West Willow Street, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11AM to 6PM and Sundays from noon to 5PM.
Beach Eyecare Optometry
Best Optometrist in Long Beach
By Asia Morris
At Beach Eyecare Optometry, Dr. Bunthay Tan will greet you, help you find the perfect frames, check the health of your eyes and even show you a picture of what your peepers look like behind those gorgeous pupils. Located within the Los Altos Shopping Center on Stearns St. and Bellflower Blvd., this husband and wife dynamic duo run a business that has barely been open a year, yet have taken the time and energy to build an outstanding reputation within the Long Beach community.
Dr. Tieng Tan, who works on Thursdays, said, “We’re deeply honored to win the Best of Long Beach competition. Being a new practice, we take great pride in providing exceptional patient care. Just to get the word out, we take extra time to make sure we deliver exceptional eye care and service.”
Based on their through-the-roof Yelp reviews, it’s no wonder they won Best Optometrist in Long Beach, seeing as how they’re scrupulous with how they treat their customers. Free coffee, a staff that treats you like you’ve been friends for ages and a thorough examination are all reasons to check this place out. They carry all your typical frames including Ray Bans and Oakley, but constantly receive compliments for their Oliver Peoples selection.
When asked what he thinks distinguishes Beach Eyecare Optometry from the rest, Dr. Tan said that Dr. Bunthay Tan, his wife, completed her residency in pediatrics and vision therapy, while the two treat all major diseases of the eye, including glaucoma. “We’re glaucoma certified, not every optometrist is glaucoma certified,” he concluded.
Photo by Brittany Woolsey
Magnolia and Willow
Best Antiques in Long Beach
By Brittany Woolsey
Emily Yep says working with antiques is in her blood. “I’m a third generation antiquer,” said the owner of Magnolia and Willow, an antique store that opened in October 2010 in the Wrigley neighborhood. “My grandma did this, and my mom did this. I grew up doing this with them. It runs in the family.”
Some of the store’s most popular items are upcycled furniture, crates, original soy candles and props for vintage parties and photo shoots. Yep said her store gets items from auctions, estate sales, flea markets and “everywhere under the sun.”
“We have about 20 dealers, so I don’t even know where everything is sourced from,” she said.
Yep said that it was exciting to win best vintage in Long Beach because they were relatively new to the city. “It feels really good because we’ve only been around four years, and there have been a lot of places that have been established quite a bit longer,” she said. “It feels good because it runs in the family. It makes me know that I’m doing the right thing with my life.”
Magnolia and Willow is located at 490 West Willow Street, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11AM to 6PM and Sundays from noon to 5PM.
Alpert JCC
Best Preschool or Daycare in Long Beach
By Asia Morris
The Alpert Jewish Community Center Preschool program for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and Pre-K kids is a wild and educational ride. Sensory exploration activities using clay and playdough, self-directed projects, child-initiated activities and outside play with open-ended activities give these preschool kids quite a bit of freedom to explore and grow, without the limitations of strict rules. Early math skills, literacy and science are introduced to 3-year-olds along with more social interactions and cooperative skills.
Linda Sunshine Keiles, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Director of the past three years, has worked for the JCC for the last 16 years and has been able to watch her own kids go through all the programs.
“Every day when I come to work, I encounter folks I’ve known for five, 10, 15 years,” she explained. “I work with teachers and parents who went through our preschool as three and four year olds, and now are part of the ECE experience on the other side…amazing!”
The Alpert JCC offers programs such as aquatics and fitness, after school and summer camps, Jewish cultural and educational events, classes for adults and programs for seniors. But nothing beats being able to “say good morning and get high fives and fist bumps and hugs from 200 little ones every day…what could be better?” exclaimed Keiles.
When asked what sets the Alpert JCC ECE apart from other preschool programs in the area, Keiles said, “I think our superb staff, our committed families, and our incredible diversity make us unique in Long Beach… We have so much to draw from, and our school benefits from a richness of experiences and people that are a part of who we are. Our staff is incredibly hard-working and knowledgable, and the level of family engagement reaches new levels every year…we are so very, very fortunate!”
“Honestly I’m just thrilled,” continued Keiles. “It’s such an honor for us to be acknowledged by our wonderful friends and community as the Best of Long Beach. My wish is that being recognized this way allows us to continue our mission of providing a rich and welcoming educational, social, and cultural environment for the families of Long Beach, and to continue being a partner in our fabulous community!”
H&M
Best National Brand to Enter Long Beach
By Brittany Woolsey
H&M has become a staple for affordable-yet-chic fashion, and Long Beachers are excited they’re finally getting a store in the city.
The store exists in 55 countries with 3,500 stores, and originates in Sweden in 1947.
The franchise’s latest location at 72 Aquarium Way, set to open in Spring 2015, marks a step toward the goal of making the under-utilized Pike shopping center into an all-new outlet mall.
“Long Beach was chosen as California is one of H&M’s strongest markets and the demand for more stores is always high there, especially in the south,” said H&M representative Patrick Shaner in an interview in October.
Kraig Kojian, President and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), said H&M’s win is well-deserved.
“I’m not surprised of the excitement expressed by those responding to H&M coming to our Downtown,” Kojian, said. “The recognition serves as a strong indicator that Long Beach is ready to support an international brand H&M brings to our community.”
JetBlue Airways
Best Corporate Citizen in Long Beach
By Asia Morris
Queen, New York-based airline JetBlue has a reputation for providing a customer-comes-first experience, and a mission to make the world a better place one ticket at a time. The truth behind the reputation became apparent in November, with their Flying It Forward campaign.
The airline sent James D., a police officer from the Long Beach area to Boston earlier this month to remember the victims and those whose lives were forever affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. Before that, JetBlue sent Jill Pall from New York to Long Beach to assist her mission in spreading awareness about ovarian cancer.
JetBlue works hard to run an environmentally-conscious operation, by reusing and recycling materials whenever possible, and offsetting their own carbon emissions. They also run competitions, such as the “Add Greenery to Your Scenery” campaign, aimed at planting trees in the cities they serve.
The company also lends a huge amount of fundraising support to such organizations as Carbondfund.org, DoSomething.org, First book, KaBOOM!, PBS KIDS, VH1 Save The Music and Points of Light.
***
Congratulations to all of our Best of Long Beach 2014 winners and nominees. Thank you to everyone who nominated and voted for the people, places and things that make Long Beach great.