Treasure Aisles

By JEANNINE STEIN

Aug. 20, 1998 12 AM PT

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

It may be one of the last places anyone would expect to find a collection of Bauer pottery, armoires dating from the 1800s and 1950s sharkskin jackets. But Long Beach is getting a reputation as being more than home to family-friendly attractions such as the Queen Mary and the new Aquarium of the Pacific.

It’s also become a mini-mecca for collectors of things vintage and antique. Thanks to a little, innocent-looking brochure called the Long Beach Antique and Vintage Shopping Guide, now people know where to go to find everything from Fiesta ware to mission furniture to bowling shirts to ‘40s upholstery fabric.

The 22 businesses range from serious antique shops to fun ‘50s collectible spots to thrift store clones, with names like Blast, Dusty Old Things, Starlite Room, Classic Eras and Meow. A smattering of cafes and restaurants, listed in the guide, are scattered in the neighborhoods.

The stores listed are in an area bordered by Pacific Coast Highway to the north, East Broadway to the south, Long Beach Boulevard to the west and Redondo Avenue to the east. Some are clustered in areas such as East Broadway at Linden Avenue, and 4th Street at Junipero Avenue, and are park-and-walkable.

The guide has coalesced this burgeoning area into a destination for collectors, says Shawn McDonough, partners with Brian Varela in Space Invaders, which specializes in ‘40s through ‘60s furniture, clothing and collectibles.

“There was a great little pocket of fun stores in the area, and we felt people needed to know that it was worthwhile to make the trip here. There are some shops that are tucked away in little places, and we thought we could sort of unite everybody.”

Though they may be united within a pamphlet, each store has a distinct personality. A. Alexander’s Flowers & Collectibles carries old glassware, postcards, dishes, pottery and furniture and doubles as a florist. At Kelly’s Place, customers walk through a spacious room filled with everything from vintage stoves to luggage, framed art and clothes. A salesman was more than happy to point out the years of wear on some old cast-iron pans that made them worth their weight in . . . cast iron. Classic Eras boasts a museum-like Bauer pottery collection that would make any aficionado gasp. And at Meow, one can browse through racks of old beaded sweaters, foundation garments, lounge lizard jackets and cute pocketbooks while listening to Dean and Frank and Sammy. And don’t miss original clothing patterns from the ‘40s on up, when a women’s size 14 meant a 32-inch bust, a 26-inch waist and 35-inch hips.

The fact that most of these shops are relatively new and not well known outside the community is a plus for antique-hunters who are always looking for great undiscovered locations. And while L.A.’s Westside, Pasadena and Old Towne Orange boast numerous antiques and collectible stores, some find that intimidating prices and traffic snarls aren’t that conducive to shopping.

“We get people who come down from L.A. and say they’re tired of the attitude there and tired of the prices,” says Richard Baker of Baker St. Antiques, which carries American and European furniture, lighting and decorative items. “Long Beach is more laid back. It’s really a pretty friendly town.”

And less expensive for store owners. Baker admits he’d “love to be on La Brea [in Los Angeles], but then you’re a slave to the landlord.”

But Long Beach has proven a good place for young entrepreneurs and first-timers to set up shop.

“There isn’t already a strong existence of mainstream stores in these areas,” says Darcy Driscoll, marketing manager for the Long Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, which worked in conjunction with Space Invaders in putting out the shopping guide. “So the smaller shop owners might feel they have a chance to get started.”

Some Long Beach proprietors had been collectors for years or sold out of flea markets and antiques shows before setting up permanent digs.

Phil Jacobson left a job as a bank manager several years ago and turned his 20-year passion for collecting into two Long Beach businesses called Chach Kaas, one on Broadway and one on 4th (the store name is Jacobson’s own interpretive spelling of the Yiddish tchotchke, or trinket). His Broadway store is divided into three parts with two partners: Jacobson’s eclectic mix of furniture and collectibles from the ‘60s and earlier, some East Indian furnishings, and new gifts and “recycled art.”

“I’ve worked in Long Beach since 1983, and I’ve seen a lot of changes going on,” Jacobson says. “It’s been progressively getting better, and the block we’re on has really picked up in the last six to eight months. We’re all working together, trying to get other dealers down here. I think the competition is great. The more people, the more business.”

How all of this will evolve in the next several years is anyone’s guess. Richard Baker of Baker St. Antiques says the antiques trade in Long Beach will never rival that of Beverly Hills or Los Angeles but adds, “If you’re good at what you do, you’ll make it. I think overall it’s a fun place to get a good bargain, it’s a great place to shop because it’s relaxed and friendly, and it’s compact.”

A few more good restaurants would definitely improve things, Jacobson says.

And Shawn McDonough of Space Invaders adds, “In terms of how the city is growing, I see it continuing in this direction. Driving through downtown, you can see how they’ve cleaned it up and it’s become more accessible. Things have really changed, and our hope is to contribute to positive changes like that.”

* Copies of the guide can be found in the stores listed, or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Space Invaders, 387 Redondo Ave., Long Beach, CA 90814.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1. A. Alexander’s Flowers & Collectibles

1046 Redondo Ave.

2. Baker St. Antiques

994 Redondo Ave.

3. Blast

764 Redondo Ave.

4. C’est moi!

418 E. Broadway

5. Chach Kaas

2238 E. 4th St.

438 E. Broadway