Joan S.
Yelp
This is "my" village. I've lived walking distance from Redondo's Riviera Village for nearly 14 years. Apparently, I like it here.
The Village is a couple short blocks from the ocean. It's not crazy crowded like Manhattan Beach. I mostly like the shops & restaurants more than I like those in Hermosa Beach.
The Village is changing, over the past few years. A couple of long-time ladies' dress shops are gone - places where you could buy formal wear. In one case the owner retired. But Papillon is still goin' strong for your fancy dress wear.
Dennee's furniture store relocated. Gus Vintage is gone (miss you!).
Fernando's moved in, after 3 decades in Hermosa (appreciate the place, always have).
These are all local/family-owned & operated businesses. As is Turquoise Restaurant (love it) & Green Temple. And Dion Gallery - Jeff Dion does my framing.
And Desserts By Patrick: the real deal for French pastries. Patrick owned a family pastry shop in Paris. He's in Riviera Village now, baking up a delicious storm for the past few years. If in Redondo, put Patrick's at the top of your must-visit list.
I also like Finley's Jewelers, Ten Thousand Villages, Card de A, The Monogram Shoppe & Huckleberry's. And Dr. Oku, my optometrist - she's the best.
Shout-out to Riviera Quality Cleaners, where miracles happen. Like removal of nacho sauce handprints from all over my white hoodie (don't ask what happened).
And the Village Runner, where I've bought my Brooks athletic shoes for years. They know how to fit you for a shoe.
And The Catalina Cooking Store....wow. There's nothing I will ever need for the kitchen that can't be found here & customer service is stellar.
I could live without Chicago for Ribs. I lived in Chicago for decades, grew up there...so when it comes to pizza, hot dogs & ribs....well...stand in a line around the block for mouthwatering ribs at 3am on the South Side of Chicago & then tell me about good ribs.
I also could live without the money-gobbling parking meters in the Village. The village lot is cheaper than the street meters but it's still a rip. And when Starbucks expanded/remodeled, the city put meters in the 5 free street parking spaces that used to be out in front. Poo.
Trader Joe's is in the Village. I rarely go there any more. If you do, beware their crazy parking lot.
The Village could use a little independent grocery store, but I don't mind driving 10 min to Lunada Market & Deli in Palos Verdes Estates. I do mind driving to Pages Bookstore in Manhattan Beach. It's absolutely wonderful & I wish Riviera Village had a place just like it.
I also continue to search for a great burger in the Village & have high hopes for the new Rockefeller gastropub, owned & operated by South Bay locals.
Activities in Riviera Village include the annual summer street fair in June, where you'll find good bands, rides for kids, food, booths with handmade stuff. Fun!
The Village closes to traffic to hold a party for kids every Halloween, the reason I have no trick-or-treaters (it must be a good party).
The Holiday Stroll happens the first Thursday after Thanksgiving, complete with a parade.
And now there's First Fridays in The Village, food & music (I can hear out my window).
The weekly farmers market has moved from Fridays to Sunday mornings & it's decent.
Never forget this Village is spittin' distance from the beach. If you don't want sand in your shoes you can just walk along the Esplanade & take in the views/sunsets.
So yeah, there's a reason I've lived here so many years. Whenever I think about moving, I think about all the things I'd miss.