Get It Through The Gift Shop: Top 5 Palisades Stores for the Perfect Gift

The Pacific Palisades may be a small town, but it is filled with big hearts that love to give.

Purchasing gifts locally rather than driving all the way across town to a busy, overcrowded mall is not only convenient but also supports local businesses.

Here is a review of some of the best gift shops in the Pacific Palisades where you can buy anything from books to clothing and find the perfect gift for everyone, including your grumpy grandpa.

1)

We all know books make great gifts. Village Books is a place that will please grandpa, grandma and the rest of the lot! A community favorite, this quaint shop houses thousands of publications and is far from any Barnes and Nobles, literally and figuratively.

A charming store filled with stacked tables and shelves, Village Books personally peppers its ledges with written recommendations from the staff. Owner, Katie O’ Laughlin, has the shop floored with murals and quotes etched into cement, an impression that leaves a distinct mark.

After spending a Sunday afternoon at the Farmer’s Market, locals stop by to peruse the many paperbacks and periodicals. With a great selection to choose from, it’s numerous popular titles would make superb gifts.

Hottest Gift Item: Store representative, Jessica, highly recommends the audio version of the national bestseller, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett and “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, author of the inspirational blockbuster, “Seabiscuit.”

Who to Shop For: Everyone. Like any bookstore, Village Books has a wide variety including children and teen books. 

Pricing: $

2)

For the refined gift giver, the Prince’s Table offers outstanding gifts and home accessories such as fine china, candelabras, picture frames, jewelry and crystal.

The store maintains beautiful window displays and fills their kiosks with quality brands and imports such as Waterford crystal and Herend porcelain.

A notable actress who frequents the shop revels the store as “a toy store for adult women,” says co-owner Mike Henshaw, who helped open up shop with wife, Margot, in 1985 at its initial location in Beverly Hills.

Hot Items: Their most desired items are Camrose & Kross’ Jacqueline Kennedy Reproductions, which are affordable replicas of the first lady’s impressive jewelry collection. Indian-American designer Michael Aram’s durable yet charming tableware are also hot-ticket items.

Who To Shop For: Mostly for females from baby to grandma. But don’t fret men, the Prince’s Table offers masculine options too.  They have a plethora of first-rate options for hubby like their popular pewter, American-made frames by Elias Frames. With hundreds of choices, the Prince’s Table is the perfect place to purchase the quintessential birthday, shower or wedding gift. 

Pricing: $-$$$

3)

Locally owned and serving the Palisades since 1998, this chic store specializes in fine stationery and believes that the perfect printed invitation is just as important as the event itself.

Known for customizing invitations, Black Ink carries an assortment of paper styles from companies like Kate Spade and Sweet Pea Designs. It may not be the most conventional of gifts but personalized stationery makes for a very thoughtful present. And what is more compelling than bringing it back old school by promoting the antiquated art of writing a letter on a tangible piece of paper?

Apart from handcrafting invitations, Black Ink also carries candles, jewelry and novelty items that are hard to find. They also wrap gifts, so why not kill two birds with one stone?

Hot Item: Monogrammed cutting boards are their latest hit, ranging from $40 to $125.

Who To Shop For: Black Ink focuses on providing gifts and invitations for everyone from newlyweds to birthday and anniversary celebrants.

Pricing: $-$$

4)

A fun retail store, Lily James caters to teenage and young-adult fashionistas who are always on par with the latest trends.  Decorated in hot pink and serving ladies since 2009, this shop ensures threads that are always up to date.

Here, you can find everything from skinny jeans to fun and classic tees to playful accessories, making ideal gifts. In addition to snagging the perfect outfit or trinket for your hip trendoid, this delightful boutique takes pleasure in hosting private shopping parties.

For one set price, the store will throw a unique party for 4 that yields professional hair and make-up styling and even snazzy photo shoots to joyously mark the occasion. Lily James even provides all the essential party elements, including decorations, beverages and of course, cake!

Hot Gift Items: Store representative, Sarah Jackson, recommends Chaser LA lightweight band tees for approximately $50 and ridiculously soft-cotton Butter brand sweatshirts priced at $98.

Who to Shop For: Peachy teens and young women with a flair for fashion.

Pricing: $-$$

5)

With an assortment of items to choose from, Benton’s opened in 1982 to meet the local need for sportswear and sporting goods. Products include goods and accessories for popular recreational activities like snorkeling, swimming, running and yoga.

In addition to providing gear for just about every popular sport like basketball and baseball, family-owned Benton’s also carries quality selections of workout clothing, sportswear and footwear that serve as great gifts for men, women and children. 

The shop has unbeatable sales throughout the year so make sure to stop by frequently.

Hot Items: Families love Bentons for baseball and soccer gear. Owner Bob Benton heads the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association so the store specializes in the sport. On a side note: apart from shop owner and head of the PPBA, Benton has evolved into being a fundraiser, recently reaching out to the community to raise funds for Adrenomyeloneuropathy, a rare paralyzing condition that afflicts Benton’s son,

Who to Shop For: Any friend, family member or coworker who is a sport or recreation enthusiast.

Pricing: $-$$