THE M.E. STORE IN LOS ANGELES

At the end of 2012 after being solely online for about 4 years, we opened our first retail store on Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles.

Growing up, I had a job ever since I was 13.  My first job was at a Haagen Dazs ice cream store. The owner was a pothead who had a mail order bride (literally) and paid me under the table. After that, I worked in retail at the mall for years. I worked everywhere from the Gap to Guess.  I hated retail with a passion. Long hours, stupid wardrobe requirements, standing on foot for 10 hour days, inventory, blah blah blah.  When I started my own brand, I had never thought of the retail aspect, and when the time came, everything in me fought opening a physical store. For whatever reason, it kept nagging at my subconscious. Everything was pointing towards my next step being: creating a physical space where I could present our products, create a safe place for girls, wake people up and provide a specific type of service.  

I loosely started looking for spaces, I knew exactly where I wanted to be.  The first space I looked at was the spot that is now the M.E. store. There are a lot of details that Im leaving out obviously, but the process was unlike anything Ive been through. It flowed sort of magically and just happened before I could think about it twice.  It was one of the scariest things Ive done, but it felt like everything and everyone around me was supporting this step.  My point in sharing this is that, oftentimes intuitively we are drawn to doing things that either don't make sense, or we have no idea how they're going to happen. Its like stepping out in the dark.  However, if you are truly inclined towards something, I encourage you to step out, even if its a small step and trust that even though you don't know how "x" can ever happen, if you believe, it can. I am an example of this, trust me! lol.

We have now been here for about 3 years, and sadly, we are still the only women's store on the block. However, it has been quite a beautiful journey.  I am absolutely in love my shop girls. They are each unique and beautiful in their own way, and bring something special to the space. If you have come in and interacted with either of them, Im sure you already know :).  As we are finally leaning in, we are approaching a soon to happen remodel of the store and look forward to sharing our growth with each of you.

If you live in Los Angeles or are visiting. Come visit us and pick up some fun pieces or just come say hi and get winged. 

With Love

Melody

these custom bikes belong to the shop girls & were used as a part of a photo project we did with Hassan Hajjaj

women of the world unite! 

these hand displays are actual molds of Melody's hands we made for the shop.