Malibu is ready for summer with a wide range of new businesses open just in time for the busy season. From fashion and lifestyle to cafés and hotels, Malibu’s mom and pop shops are thriving. This summer, The Malibu Times will be exploring many of the businesses around town; this is the first installment.
Below are some of the new businesses open in Malibu:
Hiptique
The lifestyle store opened on May 7 in the Trancas Country Market. Hiptique offers furniture, swimwear, clothing, home décor and much more. After running a successful location in Santa Monica for nearly a decade, owner Christine Berardi decided to expand to Malibu.
“I was looking for another opportunity to match the beach aesthetic and lifestyle of Santa Monica,” Berardi said. “A friend recommended Trancas. When I came and looked, I knew it was it. I love it.”
Le Café de la Plage
What spells summer better than ice cream? Opened on May 1 in the Point Dume Plaza, Le Café de la Plage offers homemade ice cream, along with gourmet coffee and a bakery. The café uses all natural products, including organic milk and less sugar and cream than traditional ice cream for the homemade summertime treat.
“We want to stay as healthy as possible,” owner Bernard said. “It is a dream for us to live here and interact with such nice customers.”
Lauren Moshi
Brother and sister team Lauren and Michael Moshi opened their women’s fashion shop in the Malibu Country Mart on May 4. Lauren hand draws every graphic, creating unique and original pieces of artwork. Everything is locally made in Los Angeles.
“Everybody in Malibu loves it because of its comfy, cute, beach loving appeal,” manager Danielle said. “People here also love to support locally made products.”
The Surfrider
Originally built in 1953 directly across from the iconic Surfrider Beach, The Surfrider is reopening this summer. The hotel will offer 20 rooms (with ocean views and private terraces), a library, and a rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking First Point and Malibu Pier.
“I grew up in the area and have a deep love for California,” owner Matthew Goodwin said. “I always felt Malibu really lacked a well-designed boutique hotel that reflected the spirit of California and the culture of Malibu. When the opportunity arose to bring such an iconic building back to life we couldn’t pass it up.”
Victoire
A multi-label, high fashion boutique, Victoire offers stylish, trendsetting women’s ready-to-wear apparel and accessories. Opened in April in the Malibu Country Mart, it’s the first U.S. boutique for the France-based retailer. The boutique infuses the company’s Parisian roots with a casual chic, seaside elegant atmosphere inspired by the local Malibu community. It carries collections from designers such as AFC, Pomandére, Tataborello and Victoire’s own line of chic, everyday staple pieces.
PAIGE
Opened in May in the Malibu Country Mart, PAIGE lifestyle collection combines Southern California casual with pure sophistication and features styles that reflect the brand’s passion for using only the finest fabrics and materials. It offers all of the brand’s signature denim staples, as well as the full Summer 2017 collection, including knits, wovens, leather, accessories and more. The location was uniquely designed to be the perfect indoor/outdoor shopping experience with an outdoor courtyard, lounge area and cabana-style fitting rooms.
Purse Rehab
Purse Rehab is a new online luxury purse repair company within European Shoe Repair (a successful family-owned business in Malibu for more than two decades). The owner, Levon Akopyan, started the new online venture in May, but also offers a storefront within European Shoe Repair. Purse Rehab custom makes hardware for the purses among all other repairs. They also offer free local pickup and delivery.
“Our motto is: We want you to love your bag like the first day you bought it,” Director of Operations Natasha Root said.
Ebikezzz
A fun new way to explore Malibu, Ebikezzz offers electric commuter, road and mountain bikes. After the success of their prior locations in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, Bob and Veda Kaplan decided to open a shop in Malibu. Located in Malibu Village, the shop carries Haibikes, Bulls, Vintage, an electric scooter and more.
“People seem to love us,” Veda said. “Anyone coming to buy a bike is always in a good mood. It’s always a happy transaction. When we show them the capabilities of our bikes they are amazed and even happier. Up to 30 miles on a single charge. Upwards of 20 miles per hour. Even electric bikes for kids — perfect for someone coming off an injury or someone who’s just coming off the couch.”
