8-Ball – Burbank, CA

img_3703 Besides Ventura Boulevard, The Valley doesn’t really have too many interesting shopping opportunities going for it. But there’s a stretch of Magnolia Boulevard near Burbank that’s chock-a-block with some great stores, 8-Ball being one of them. (Also, Halloweentown!) img_3715

While a hula girl silently serenades you and a tree of hipster hats, you can browse the stock of pop culture books, Aloha shirts, pricey rockabilly clothes, novelty gifts and cards, Shag stickers and a pretty kick-ass jewelry selection under the glass at the register.

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Neat neon!

img_3712 The tiki merch set-up gets bonus points for presentation. It seems to be mostly items that can be found (and are currently still in stock) on Tiki Farm, but it’s nice to know that I can hop over here and save on shipping. img_3719

These purses were my favorite discoveries in the store. I can’t decide which one I like more. Thoughts?

img_3721 If you’re already in the area, I recommend stopping by Yummy Cupcakes down the street and getting a few to go. (From the top: vanilla, vanilla with chocolate frosting and…”Pancakes & Bacon”—maple/bacon cake with maple icing and bacon on top—the idea of it was intriguing but not as tasty in execution).
img_3743 One more awesome thing about this store—Shag designed their promo postcards!
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8 Ball
3806 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
818-845-1155

UPDATE: 8-Ball closed in Fall 2010, but re-opened at 3424 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505, 818-859-7562.

Tiki Mugs Book Signing – Los Angeles

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Last weekend was the release/book signing for the brand spanking new book Tiki Mugs: Cult Artifacts of Polynesian Pop at La Luz de Jesus gallery. It was kind of a pain to get there, though, because I guess Lance Armstrong decided he wanted to take a bike ride down Hollywood Boulevard or something so a bunch of the roads were blocked off, making the LA traffic even worse than usual. But it was definitely worth it.

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“It’s addicting, isn’t it?” This—or something to that effect—is what Holden Westland (hunched over at left), owner of Tiki Farm, said to me when I gushingly admitted my admiration for his wares. He’s right on the money about that! Author Jay Strongman is next to him in that photo (signing books on a tiki bar, of course) and he was very cool and nice as well.

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A side view of the bar in the gallery area where they were serving up free mai tais courtesy of Trader Vic’s. Don’t you love that ginormous lava lamp?

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Note my attempt at product placement. (I guess I’ve learned a thing or two from watching so much “Top Chef” and their Gladware glad-handing.) Ah yes, that reminds me. I believe it’s only t-minus-one-month until Trader Vic’s at L.A. Live opens…

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“Mauna Loa’s Minions” mugs by Crazy Al, which, along with being featured in the book, were also on display as part of the “Everything But the Kitschen Sync” group art show in the gallery section of the shop. That show is going on through March 29, so you still have a chance to go check it out. (Just make sure that Lance is not going on a little joy ride that night.)

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Tiki Farm’s special set-up of mugs for sale. *Drools*

La Luz de Jesus
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-666-7667