Shop Girl
Brentwood Country Mart
There’s no way around it - it’s a big, red barn which makes Brentwood Country Mart so, well, un-Brentwood. But perhaps that’s part of it’s charm and why it’s been a staple in LA shopping and hanging out since the 1948 when Elizabeth Taylor and Burt Lancaster made it hip to eat take-away chicken on the picnic tables inside.
With winding, narrow hallways, little boutique shops (most are about 300 square feet) and free parking, this is a great place to shop, run errands, eat, hang out and be seen (you’re sure to run into a celebrity or two, after all, they need to pick up flowers, cut their hair, repair those Manolo’s, too). You can even write about your time and mail your letter at the post office (we like to send Santa our wishlists from here after perusing shop after shop). And writing home is something you’ll want to do because shops here aren’t everywhere else which adds another reason why Brentmart is loved by locals.
Shops such as Cath Kidston, Jigsaw (an exclusive London retailer of womens and girls’ apparel); Sugar Paper, a pretty custom stationer; Apartment Number 9, a men’s haberdasher with a store in Chicago; Marie Mason Apothecary a shop for soap and perfume lovers; and City Bakery which was made famous in lower Manhattan are chic enough to make up for the kitchy outside. And the relaxed atmosphere, personal service without attitude and cheap eats in the outdoor courtyard will keep you around for awhile and quite possibly coming back.
TIP: Come Monday through Saturday - Sunday’s most shops are closed. And forget valet - it’s the only place in Brentoowd where you have to park your own car.
Brentwood Country Mart
26th & San Vicente, Brentwood
Area: Brentwood 