Stepping into the Romi Cortier Design salon at 425 N. Larchmont
is like stepping into an art gallery. The shop's mantra is "Where
Art Inspires Beauty." A hairstylist since he was 18,
Romi is a native of Manchester, Wash. He came to Los Angeles
to continue his love of art, design and grooming, opening his
"jewel box" shop here 23 years ago. A former medical office,
the shop has private rooms for his clients. Romi and his five associates
offer hair cutting, color, Keratin treatments and more, along with
manicures and pedicures plus a recently added housewares boutique.
A board member of Larchmont Boulevard Assoc., he hosts a lifestyle
show, "Artful Living with Romi Cortier" and a DIY video on design.
Todd Warner's dream of opening up a pet store was first realized when he debuted the Tailwaggers store at 1929 N. Bronson in 2003. Next for the Columbus, Ohio-born former film editor was a store on north Fairfax. He opened the 147 N. Larchmont store in 2021 and a fourth store in Palm Springs in 2024. A board member of Larchmont Boulevard Association, Warner's Tailwaggers has a huge array of toys, clothing, food products and other treats. The store also offers grooming and daycare. Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Sundays when closing hour is 8 p.m. Tailwaggers hosts pet adoptions on weekends. Warner is proud of reviving the Tailwaggers Foundation which supports dog and cat rescue organizations.
Four kinds of fish and a variety of sides are on the menu at Sweetfin at 135 N. Larchmont Blvd. Seth Cohen, Sweetfin co-founder, tells us it was the company's third location when it opened in 2017. Now there are 18 Sweetfins in Southern California. The brand capitalizes on the poke craze. "The company uses highest-quality and sustainable raw fish while maintaining a reasonable price. Our menu is 100% gluten free, and we are vegan and vegetarian friendly," Seth said. He chose the Larchmont location because of the mix of day and nighttime activity. It's on weekends that Seth and his wife Erica walk from their Miracle Mile home to the store. A native Angelino, Seth is a graduate of USC and continues in the real estate financing industry.
Patti Carroll began her career as head of Hollywoodland Realty following her dad Ed's death in 2003. Ed Carroll opened the 584 N. Larchmont Blvd. office in the 1950s. The company is celebrating its 100th year as is the community of Hollywoodland where her 2700 N. Beachwood Dr. address was the original Tract Office. The Hollywoodland (now the Hollywood) Sign was built to advertise her office and the properties it sold. Previously, Patti had a successful career in Paris for French and U.S. Conde Nast Publications such as Conde Nast Traveler and Paris Vogue. She is a member of the boards of Larchmont Bouevard Association, Anderson-Munger YMCA and Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. She also serves on HopeNet's "Taste of Larchmont" committee. Her volunteerwork reflects her deep commitment to the preservation of her community.
This is a busy year for Mel Miyamoto, a CPA with offices at 444 N. Larchmont. In addition to his accounting practice, Mel heads his high school class 50th reunion. He has been president of the school's Alumni Association for the past seven years, and is also working on plans for the school's 100th year celebration. And he serves as treasurer of Larchmont Boulevard Association. He lived briefly in Hawaii and moved with his family to Los Angeles. After graduating from Belmont he went to USC, and found a job after graduation with Ron Duba, who had an office on Larchmont. Mel opened his own office in 1987. His daughter Jill works in Mel's office as the office manager and accountant. His son Jack is chief chemist for the City of Santa Monica. He's grandfather to his son's daughter Chloe.
"We have a great variety of gifts for men and women," says Louis Eafalla, proprietor of Village Heights at 122 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd. The shop specializes in home decor and personal accessories, plus, a fun selection of greeting cards, journals and candles sourced from local vendors and artists. After a long career in television production, Louis purchased Village Heights 17 years ago, A native of a Boston suburb, he is a graduate of Bradford College and received his masters degree in Higher Education Administration & Management from The College of William and Mary. He spent five years as the Assistant Director of Admissions for the American University of Paris in both in New York and Paris.
Flicka owner Kristen Sato is celebrating the store's 30th year at 204 N. Larchmont. She is a Los Angeles native and a graduate of Third Street, John Burroughs, Immaculate Heart and Loyola Marymount, Kristen has expanded Flicka's inventory from infant and children's clothes to include mommy and me for mothers as well as children. Natalie Martin and Vintage Denim are among adult labels. The store also has introduced new toys but Jelly Cat Crush stuffed animals are still favorites.
Children who came here years ago are coming back with their offspring: "Our Flicka babies are having babies," Kristen told us.
Dr. Tim Gogan joined Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA) when he opened his family and cosmetic dentistry practice in Suite 714 of the Larchmont Medical Building in 1977. He is a graduate of the USC School of Dentistry. A member of the LBA board, he has served as Association president and Family Fair chairman. A cantor at his church, in his spare time he creates bouquets and flower arrangements at Christmas and for other occasions, something he learned in his parents' floral business. He is a Knight of Malta which feeds and clothes the homeless as well as takes sick pilgrims to Lourdes, France once a year. Tim is a member of Loyola High School's reunion committee. He and his wife Margo have two sons, eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Gary Wayne Fuss opened A Silver Lining at 115 N. Larchmont Blvd. 25 years ago. He received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, with a masters degree in color theory and design. He formerly was the manager at Grey Goose Framing before coming to Larchmont. Gary has a vast assortment of frames and meets any challenge including providing a frame for an elephant's tusk. His associate Jorge Rodriguez has been with Gary since the shop opened
Julie Levtow opened Village Mail Call with her husband Ken 37 years ago at 419 N.Larchmont Blvd. Julie is a native of Hong Kong. After graduating from a Hong Kong university, she got her masters degree in International Business Management. She then was a reporter on the South China Morning Post and Hong Kong Economic Journal. Julie came to the U.S. in 1983. After Ken died in 2005, she became sole owner. The store provides passport photos, mailbox rentals, photocopies, notary, Live Scan, finger-printing plus UPS and FedEx shipping.