Sunday, June 1, 2008

Theme Day: My Favorite Local Shop

The City Daily Photo blog community shares a theme day the first of each month. This month's theme asks, "What is your favorite corner store or local shop in your city?"

The first time I walked into Penny for Your Thoughts at 1365 N. Hill Avenue, it seemed someone had gone into my brain to find out what I liked, and put all those things into one store. Vintage books, cute fashions, unique gifts, unusual purses and shoes, antiques and classy junque are all so charmingly arranged I wanted to just sit and appreciate it. Which I did, while enjoying a cup of fresh-brewed coffee and a locally-baked gourmet cookie, at one of the shop's funky café tables.

This eclectic place came not from my brain but from that (those) of two sisters, Liz and Millie, who grew up in Pasadena and opened the store in November of 2003. They run the place with a staff member or two, and occasionally a bubbly baby to brighten the mix.

Coffee and free wifi with fun, fashion, funk and fabulousness. What could be better? I don't know another shop like it.

174 City Daily Photo blogs are participating in today's theme. Check them out here.

19 comments:

Jim Klenke said...

Looks like a neat place. Beetle Bailey on the wall and a coffee shop car top. I could like that place.

Katie said...

You've really captured a fabulous looking and sounding shop! I can see why this is a favorite, and how you'd want to spend lots of time here. The chandelier is gorgeous, those funky vintage aprons add such great color and I like that there are a few modern kids toys; lots to keep the kiddies busy while the parents shop. The fact that it has a cafe and wi-fi makes me want to move in!

Kim Thomas said...

How is it that this place is less than 3 miles from my house and I havent been there. I will make a trip there this week, guaranteed.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fun shop. Enjoy it.
Thanks for your kind comment today, Petrea. I felt like you commenting blogger friends were with me celebrating the birthday. An online party!
P.S. I'm not really a member of City Daily Photo, don't think I qualify, having gotten so verbose and multi-photo lately. But I follow with pleasure y'all's monthly theme day.

marley said...

That is one stylish shop! I love the look they have achieved, it must be a nice place to spend sometime :)

Chuck Pefley said...

Sounds and looks perfectly delightful! Fun choice for theme day!

USelaine said...

Sweet! It reminds me a little of that place posted in Illinois where you sipped tea among the treasures. Life is good!

Kay said...

This looks like such a fun place. And they have wi-fi, too? Wow!

Petrea Burchard said...

Jim, I know! Beetle! Who can resist?

The toys, Katie, might be for the baby of one of the owners. I wonder if she shares them?

Hi Kim, welcome. You'll love it, I promise. There are other great shops within a block, including Motif and Cook Books (see tomorrow's post).

Dina, Marley, Chuck, Musings: thanks for your comments.

USElaine, interesting that you thought of it. Maybe that's why I like the shop so much. A buried memory, resurfacing.

USelaine said...

Young lady, you're having portal feed problems. I'm just sayin'.

USelaine said...

I would love for you to visit - you are welcome any time.

No, seriously. What's six or seven hundred miles between bloggers.

Petrea Burchard said...

It's less than 5600.

Christie said...

How very cool!! Love, love, love the chandelier!

Lydia said...

That would be my favorite if I lived in Pasadena!
Looking forward to Zen Monday . . .

Parisian Heart said...

What a charming place! I really like the way you captured it with the chandelier in the foreground.

'Always enjoy your photos and your comments, Petrea.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks very much, you all. Especially for the reminder, Lydia.

Caltechgirl said...

I drive by there more than once a week and I have never dropped in. This is so my kind of place. How could I have NEVER stopped in?

Louis la Vache said...

This looks like a place "Louis" would like!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi caltechgirl, good to see you! I hope you'll drop in, it's a cool place. Parking in the rear if you don't see anything curbside (but usually there's something).

Mais oui, Louis!