Los Angeles likes its country marts. And I’m glad it does. I like um too.

Don’t be fooled by the name, because they aren’t what you’d typically think of as a “mart” – these are actually unique upscale outdoor shopping centers. But the name “country mart” is kind of cute and appealing, right? I am assuming they were more mart-like in the past and have evolved over the years into what they are today.

First up: Malibu Country Mart. It is made of 2 parts: the older, original section and then a newer section, built just last year. It is called The Lumber Yard, due to the fact that it was literally built on an old lumber yard.  Its design is inspired by the Malibu surfing culture and the vintage surfboard form. Very cool.

Here we ate Crumbs cupcakes before noon, hung out in James Perse’s beach house, perused Alice + Olivia’s latest collection, admired goth jewelry at Maxfield and fell in love all over again with the J.Crew.

…

….

tomorrow:    Country Mart’ing Part 2:  Brentwood Country Mart

…

credits:  all photography by Tara R. McNulty (except the one of me)

…..