If you haven’t already purchased gifts for all the important people in your life, here are a few places you might want to check out as you complete your holiday shopping. Not only will you find things that are quintessentially Los Angeles, you’ll be supporting local businesses and helping them get through the holiday season as well!
Photo via Anime Jungle Instagram.
Cute plushies, anime figurines, J-rock, J-pop and apparel! Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro.
Photo via Bag Haven Facebook.
All items are 100 percent vegan, non-leather and under $20. Take Metro Bus 577 to Gridley/187th.
Traditional Japanese gift store, as well as a good selection of cute kawaii toys and décor. Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro.
One of the few remaining black-owned independent bookstores in California and they carry some difficult to find books. To get there, you can take DASH Leimert/Slauson to Vernon/Crenshaw, Metro Rapid 740 to Crenshaw/Vernon or Metro Bus 102 to 43rd/Degnan. There is also metered parking in the area.
Fun apparel to show off your Little Tokyo pride. Japangeles is a small stall in the middle of Japanese Village Plaza. Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro.
Photo via Miracle Mile Toys Instagram.
They carry unique toys and games from around the world. Plus if you Go Metro you receive $10 off your purchase. Take Metro Bus 20 to Wilshire/Cloverdale.
The new friend I adopted from Monkey Pants does not like to share the spotlight.
They have a giant Pusheen plush and I want it so much. (Sadly I could only get a small one, even with 10 percent off my purchase). Located in Japanese Village Plaza. Metro Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or take the DASH A, Metro Bus 30 or 40 to 1st/San Pedro.
Old or new. #mtg or #videogames. We do it all. pic.twitter.com/Kf1MyttHH0
— Next-Gen Games (@NextGenGamesLA) July 15, 2015
The largest independent video and game card store in Los Angeles. If you’re a fan of Magic: The Gathering, Go Metro to buy three packs of any in print Magic Set for just$9.99. Take Metro Bus 20 to Wilshire/Cloverdale.
Cultural gift shop with ethnic jewelry and books. To get there, take DASH Leimert/Slauson to Vernon/Crenshaw, Metro Rapid 740 to Crenshaw/Vernon or Metro Bus 102 to 43rd/Degnan. There is also metered parking in the area.
If you just prefer mall crawling, here’s a mall you should visit:
And if you’re into holiday marketplaces, there’s one coming up in Little Tokyo Dec. 12 and 13! RSVP for the event here.
Plus, if you Eat Shop Play and support local businesses you’ll have a chance to win cool prizes!
Categories: Go Metro