Edie Frere and friends gathered Thursday evening to celebrate Landis Stationery and Gifts‘ 25 years on Larchmont and kick off the holiday shopping season. The store was filled to the brim with holiday decorations and delightful gifts to give or keep for yourself. Savory hors d’oeurves were passed with sparkling drinks followed by a selection of sweets provided by SusieCakes, from its newly opened bakery and shop at 328 S La Brea Avenue.
Landis Gifts & Stationery celebrates a heritage harkening back to 1933, when Landis Department Store opened on the Boulevard, with Bob Landis working for his father. Bob Landis continued at the helm of Landis Department Store, until he decided to close shop around 1990. About the same time, Chris Wolfus and Edie Frere were starting up. When they approached Landis about carrying on the Larchmont tradition of personal service, he happily agreed for them to continue the “Landis” name. Chris and Edie charted course across the street, and opened Landis General Store in 1990. Today, there are three distinct Landis stores – with Landis General Store and Landis Labyrinth (owned and operated by Devoney Wolfus) practically next door to Frere’s Landis Gifts & Stationery.
Frere, who knows everyone and spent the evening introducing guests to one another (with admonitions about why they “really should get to know each other”) continues the Larchmont tradition of personal service. Frere is the genuine Larchmont shopkeeper who is deeply rooted in the community. Congratulations Edie and here’s to 25 more!
This story was updated to correct the spelling of stationery. Thanks to Edie Frere who wrote us…”it’s just about spelling, but it’s something that comes up all the time… It’s “stationary” vs. “stationery” – Stationary with an “a” means in one place/not moving and stationery with an “e” means letter-writing paper and envelopes. One easy way to remember the difference is “e” for “envelope = stationery with an “e”.”
