Energetic entrepreneur Melissa Wong has opened a new kind of retail store at 564 N. Larchmont, Blvd., in Suite 100 (it’s the lovely brick building right next door to the Rotary’s Christmas tree lot and pumpkin patch). Note that you can peek in the window of the store, but you’ll need to knock on the door for entry,
Inside, Wong has a packed the light-filled space with a curated collection of products ranging from fashion to jewelry to paper and home products, all sustainably made by companies that give back part of their profits to social causes.
The name, “House of G&C,” stands for House of Gratia and Caritas, which is Latin for “grace and charity,” and ti describes Wong’s vision of how she wants to conduct her retail business. Though she’s very young, Wong has an impressive background in retailing and fashion. In 2014, she started a fashion blog about socially-conscious brands, which morphed into creating pop-up shops and photo shoots. She’s worked for Nordstrom and currently works for Fred Segal, in addition to running the House of G&C.
We met Wong at her shop last week and she shared with us plans for some changes she’s made for 2019. She now has regular store hours every Saturday from 12-7 p.m., but she will also work with customers who prefer to shop by appointment during the week, from Tuesday through Friday. Appointments can be made via e-mail: [email protected] or text 323-809-9163 for phone orders.
This Saturday, Wong will host a Clothing Swap Party from 12-4 p.m. If you are one of those people who likes to take something out of your closet before you add
something, this is for you. It’s a great way to shop, clean out your closet and channel tidying guru Maria Kondo – all at the same time. Here’s how it works. First, bring unwanted clothing, labeled/sorted by price points: $10, $20, $30. Then invite your friends to swap out old clothes for new goodies. Wong will provide snacks from Coffee + Food but you can also bring your own libations. And, if you leave any unwanted items, Wong will donate to her local charity partners, Safe Place for Youth and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Tickets (which cost $20) can be purchased online at House of G & C. You can also check out Wong’s online store. She told us she’s offering free shipping on all orders over $50 with code GALENTINES. You can also use code HGCFAM for an additional 10% off your online purchase.
Wong, who lives in the neighborhood, hopes she can give her customers and opportunity to shop local, look good and do good at the same time. Hard to argue with that value proposition!
