Pick of the Week...Montana Avenue Celebrates Small Business Saturday, November 26, 2016!

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Our Pick of the Week…takes place this Saturday, November 26! Enjoy a day of fun at Montana Avenue’s Small Business Saturday event. The all day event offers shopping, and live music up and down Montana Avenue. Start on 7th street and head up to 17th Street on Montana Ave. Most of the shops will be particpating. Special discounts can be had along with refreshments. The times are based on the businesses, with restaurants starting early and running later. Retail shops will be open 11:00am – 5:00pm for sure – some possible later. The music will start at 12:30pm and run until 4:30pm.

Support your local businesses…especially the small shops, mom and pop stores. It’s a great time to get a jump on your holiday shopping list, and support your community at the same time. The holidays will be here before you know it. Start your shopping early.

Jane Walker, owner of Texture: A Sweater store and More has lived in Santa Monica for thirty eight years and worked on Montana Avenue for twenty six

She began working in retail on Main Street Santa Monica at the clothing Gallery, then in 1990 she started working on Montana Avenue. Finally Walker opened her own shop – Texture.

“Montana is a very supportive community,” said Walker…”you get to know so many people. I’ve watched my customer’s kids grow up…and Now I’m dressing the kids of the people that have been shiopping her for years.”

Texture offers all kinds of sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, in both bright and muted colors, tweedy solids to polka dot, featuring all sorts of charming designs. It also sells beautiful scarves (in addition to it’s fab sweaters).

TEXTURE: the Sweater Store & More is located at 716 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA; (310) 393-0707; See FB page.

Then stroll East…stop for some lunch at ROSTI Tuscan Kitchen, 931 Montana Avenue; 310-393-3236;

Just across the street from Rosti Tuscan Kitchen, Peter Skrabak will be performing classical music in front of The Shade Store. A talented musician, Skrabak said he was excited to perform once again at this event.

In addition to being a proficient guitarist, Skrabak is also a noted songwriter. He has worked with legendary sax player Hollis Gentry, and while in the band, he wrote a song (NO PODRAS) which was performed by Gentry and would later become a huge international hit for the Mexican artist Cristian Castro. http://www.peterskrabak.com

The Shade Store®, 1001 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica;

BOCA Clothing is new to Montana Avenue. It has re-located from the Palisades. BOCA’s carefully chosen mix of brands offers a variety of looks from the latest trends to your classic wardrobe basics. Shopping with our friendly and fashion savvy staff is sure to be a fun experience!

Here at BOCA, you can enjoy a 3 piece band called Shakey Pete and the Faultline. The group features Shakey Pete Baldwin on guitar and vocals, Gavin Jones on bass, and Rick Bryan on drum.

Boca Clothing, 1034 Montana Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90403;

Ten Women on Montana is an artist’s co-operative gallery showcasing 24 local women artists. It’s a great place to purchase gifts for everyone on your holiday list. Enjoy specials and light refreshments. Ten Women Gallery, 1128 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; 310-393-6254;

Michael Stars will be open as well…The fashion store specializes in contemporary clothing with luxury essentials for LA’s hip beach lifestyle. Michael Stars, 1233 Montana Ave; 310-260-5558;

Partner’s Trust will be having a fun art party tonight and will be featuring several artists.

This is where Kat & the Jazz Birds will be performing on the northwest corner 13th Montana, next to Partner’s Trust (1333 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403) from 12:30 – 4:30 pm. We will be doing jazz standards as well as some old time swing. You will recognize a few well known melodies such as All of Me, Stormy Weather, My funny Valentine, Fever, Fly me to the Moon, Almost like Being in Love and more. We will also be paying tribute to legendary artists such as Peggy Lee, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Wanda Jackson and more.

Kat and the Jazz Birds features Bob Crickmore on keys, Mike Flick on bass, Al Rappaport on sax, Mitch Montrose on drums and me – Kathy Leonardo – vocals. For more information about Kat & the Jazz Birds, and other bands, visit http//www.KathyLeonardo.com

Partner’s Trust, 1333 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA; (310) 382-8500;

Kiehl’s is also getting into the act….stop by to see art and enjoy specials throughout the store. Here, you’ll find Milo Gonzalez a self-taught guitarist specializing in both classical guitar and flamenco. Gonzalez has performed at well known music festivals such as Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, Electric Picnic, Boom Festival, and Farmaid. https://soundcloud.com/milo-gonzalez

ABS affordable luxury caters to the contemporary woman’s never-ending craving for fashion – to wear the latest trends and look fabulous, whether at work or play, with the fabric quality and attention to detail found in designer collections. ABS, 1533 Montana Ave; 310-393-8770; http://www.absstyle.com/

Shopaholic Sample Sales will be offering amazing deals…They have two locations…one at the Grove and of course one on Montana. Shopaholic Sample Sales’ 8th Annual Thanksgiving Thrifty Thirty Sale is back with tons of new women’s designer clothing and accessories priced at just $30! A whopping 60%-85% savings!

Shopaholic Sample Sales is famous for their regular steep discounts of 40%-60% on women’s cutting edge clothing. But now, with their Thanksgiving Thrifty Thirty Sale, you can snap up holiday gifts and clothing at even steeper savings!

You’ll gobble up these fabulous buys…. Velvet by Graham & Spencer tops, dresses and pants normally retail at $118-$178. But during this sale they are just $30 each. Saint Grace dresses, tops and pants that were $79-$119 are now $30 each. Sought after Greylin tops and dresses are $30 each instead of the original retail of $110-160. LA Made cardigans, dresses and tops that were $81-$140 are now $30 each and Jetset Diaries dresses, rompers and tops are $30 instead of the original retail of $129-$279. Refreshments, nibbles and light bites will be served while you shop! Shop early for the best selection! Prices are valid for the Thanksgiving weekend only!!!

Shopaholic Sample Sales is located at 1613 Montana Ave, {Across from Pinkberry} 310.260.0100;

Stop in for some sweets at Sweet Lady Jane, 1631 Montana Ave. 310 254-9949;

Of course you may have your favorite store or restaurant on Montana….so come on out and visit. The event takes place this Saturday, November 26, and runs from 11:00am to 5:00 pm. (Restaurants will offer extended hours).