Flicka Larchmont Village: The Torch is Passed

Flicka, the infant and children’s clothing shop on Larchmont Boulevard, is entering the next phase of business life as the store transfers ownership from mom Liz Reilly to daughters, Lisa and Kristen Sato. And while the sisters have been involved in helping their mom at the shop for long stretches over the past 21 years – this marks a new beginning for Flicka and a time where the new owners can put their personal touch on the space.

According to Kristen, her mom Liz came up with the idea for Flicka when the children’s clothing store Lemonade Lake went out of business in the the early ’90s. At the time, Liz was doing some heavy duty shopping for their 2 and 1/2 year old sister and felt that she could open a store that would fill the void left by Lemonade Lake’s closing. So Liz and daughter Lisa opened Flicka in July of 1992.

Not only did they make everyone forget Lemonade Lake, they built one of Larchmont’s favorite businesses. For the first 8 years, Lisa ran the store with her mother and together they set a standard for stocking classic infant and children’s clothing, as well creating an expectation for fun new trends. And when Lisa left to open her own children’s wholesale showroom downtown, Kristen stepped in and worked with her mom for the next 8 years.

When Liz decided she was going to retire earlier this year, Lisa and Kristen jumped at the chance to continue the legacy their family has built on the Boulevard. The life-long Hancock Park residents are passionate about Flicka, children’s clothing and life on Larchmont Boulevard.

Kristen negotiated a lease with property owner Tom Kneafsey and then the new business owners closed the store for a week and spent some time freshening up the homey space – with a new coat of paint and a clean, bright aesthetic. When asked about her experience negotiating the lease, Kristen shared that it was very positive. “Tom recognized the value of what a business like Flicka means to Larchmont Boulevard. He worked hard to make the lease work for both sides and we feel we can continue into the future in the best spot on the block for the business we are in”.

Flicka looks well poised going forward! The sisters are joined in the store by their younger sister – the original inspiration for Flicka – a now grown up Caitlin Reilly. Plus, you will find all the things about the store that you’ve come to know and love over the years – the classic gift wrapping, the special play area where toddlers can stay busy while mom shops, the lovely dutch door and the wonderful selection of infant and children’s clothes. And the Sato sisters share that their mom will stay involved when it comes to the all important window decorations! Maybe you remember the penguin window? Or the ‘Under the Sea’ window? The many Halloween and Christmas windows that have made us stop over the years? One of the side benefits of the store staying in the family is that Liz Reilly’s creativity will continue to entertain and call us into the shop.

Flicka