With local businesses feeling the effects of recent immigration enforcement activity, this holiday season is an important moment to support neighborhood shops. Whether shopping for the cool tía who collects vinyl and always has your back or the stylish nephew who’s into second-hand clothing, our community is filled with shops like Sounds of Music and Supernova Thrift that offer something for everyone. We’ve rounded up a list of businesses in Boyle Heights and East LA to support this year.
Tonalli Studio
Tonalli Studio: Check out O.G. altarista Ofelia Esparza’s seminal exhibition at the Vincent Price Art Museum, then pop into the nearby East LA art gallery and gift shop the 93-year-old artist co-founded back in 2013. Located across the street from La Carreta, which serves bomb menudo, Tonalli is hosting lots of holiday events in December, including a “La Morenita” art opening and a holiday mercadito on the 6th. Shop small-batch herbal body care, handmade silver and Huichol beaded jewelry, hand-sewn clothing from Indigenous Mexican cooperatives and Esparza’s very own hand-painted angel ornaments. Master printmakers Dewey Tafoya and Jimmy Saldivar are screen-printing eight different designs, so bring some blank T-shirts, hoodies and tote bags for customized gifts. Mark your calendars for a Virgen de Guadalupe procession on the 7th, a vegan tamale workshop on the 17th and a sidewalk sale on the 20th and 21st.
Tonalli Studio, 4539 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, open for exhibits, special events and by appointment.
Instagram: @tonallistudio
Earthy Corazon
Earthy Corazon: Owned by queer Chicana Ely Valdivia, this healing haven is known for its soy-based candles with mood-boosting scents like bergamot sage and tobacco teakwood, and natural skincare like arnica salves, botanical bar soaps, and essential oils— but that’s not all. Grab some locally made aura-cleansing herbal elixirs for your coworkers, handmade jewelry for your mejor amigx, or a limited-edition Tía Chucha’s-inspired candle for an inspirational teacher. Their vast collection of homegrown self-care staples are perfect for those skincare-obsessed tweens and teens and the shop’s in-house photo booth is a cute selfie to gift that special someone in your life.
Earthy Corazón, 4015 City Terrace Drive, Los Angeles, open Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Instagram: @earthycorazon
Super Nova Thrift
Super Nova Thrift: Dedicated to giving pre-loved clothing and accessories a second life, this newly opened 1st Street thrift store carries a stylish selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. From soft vintage tees, skirts, and pants to funky hats, scarves, and purses, this is a one-stop shop for all the fashionistas in your life. Owned by San Fernando native Yvonne Monje-Perez, who now calls Boyle Heights home, everything in the store is handpicked and seasonal, offering timeless treasures for the conscious consumers on your list. Hoodies, flannels and athletic wear are currently on deck, and donations are redeemable for store credit at 15 cents per pound.
Super Nova Thrift, 1852 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, open daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Instagram: @supernova_colectivo
Sounds of Music
Sounds of Music: Located in the former Silver Dollar Bar, where L.A. Times journalist Ruben Salazar was shot and killed by a Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputy while covering the Chicano Moratorium, Sounds of Music is the spot to shop for all the music lovers in your life. Opened in 1967, it’s the oldest record store on the Eastside, and with memorabilia like newspaper clippings and prints of the fallen journalist, plus T-shirts repping the neighborhood, it serves as a homage to Chicano culture. Whether it’s lowrider oldies for your tío, cumbia for your tía, or punk for your primo, this multi-genre music store offers vinyl, tapes, and CDs, plus clothing, hats, and art pieces. The friendly staff help make crate digging easier and a listening station provides record previewing before you buy. Don’t forget to check out the mural across the street dedicated to Salazar and the Chicano Moratorium.
Sounds of Music, 4945 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Instagram: @soundsofmusicela
East LA Film Shop
East LA Film Shop: Film photography is back in a big way, and this East LA gem is holding it down for analog enthusiasts. Opened in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, East LA Film Shop offers film developing and scanning, passport portraits, digital image printing and VHS digitization. Co-owners Frank Ledezma and Jennyfer Gramajo not only develop film, but also sell used cameras and film, and create community by hosting events like neighborhood photo walks and meetups. Print some photos of the kiddos to frame and gift the grandparents or buy a camera and film for your niece to start a new hobby. While you’re there, print some photos to personalize that new junk journal you started.
East LA Film Shop, 3541 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Instagram: @east.la.film.shop
The Garage Board Shop
The Garage Board Shop: This East LA skateboard shop and nonprofit opened on Atlantic Boulevard in 2009 and relocated to Whittier Boulevard in 2024. Offering an afterschool program with tutoring and homework help, The Garage Board Shop provides youth incentives like points for academic excellence, redeemable for merchandise and a skate party. Owner Maria “Patty” Ramblaz stocks skateboard decks, tools, parts and apparel perfect for skaters with big dreams. Stop by this season to shop and support a community cause.
The Garage Board Shop, 4931 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, open Monday through Saturday noon–8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Instagram: @the_garageboardshop
Distrito Catorce
Distrito Catorce: Give your sports-and-beer-loving friend a gift card to this neighborhood bar and restaurant, which recently made headlines for painting over their Dodgers mural. Owner Guillermo Piñon partnered with Long Beach’s Steady Brewing to create a Comunidad Mexican Lager, which features custom can art of the Sixth Street Bridge, the Boyle Heights Bridge Runners, mariachis and other community landmarks — a perfect gift for a local beer lover. But cerveza isn’t the only draw. The menu is solid with eats by Macheen chef Jonathan L. Perez, coffee by Café Estelar and rotating art.
Distrito Catorce, 1837 E. 1st St., Los Angeles
Instagram: @eldistrito14
El Mercado de Los Angeles
El Mercado de Los Angeles: Opened in 1968 as a multi-ethnic market serving this one-time Mexican, Japanese and Italian community, the nostalgic three-story marketplace we all know and love as El Mercadito is a one-stop shop for all of your Mexican food, clothing and knick-knack needs. Popular mosaic tile murals like Jose Luis Gonzalez’s 100-foot-long Mayan Rain God and the beloved La Virgen are perfect spots to pose for pics. Shop leather boots and belts for a bestie, cowboy hats and huaraches for your boo and mini purses and beaded bracelets for the kids. Clay bowls, aluminum juicers and fresh mole are great gifts for the foodie who knows every corner of the Eastside and blankets and Virgen de Guadalupe figurines are good for that neighbor who gives great hugs.
El Mercado de Los Angeles, 3425 1st St., Los Angeles, open daily
Espacio 1839
Espacio 1839: No holiday shopping spree is complete without a stop at Nico Avina and Myra Vasquez’s Mariachi Plaza-adjacent bookstore, gift shop and art gallery. Home to online community radio station Radio Espacio, this community hub is the spot for one-of-a-kind clothing, books, art and trinkets for the socially-conscious peeps in your life. Pick up a recent release by your favorite POC author for a bookworm on your list or a customized jean jacket designed by Avina himself for your hermano. Espacio 1839’s monthly CaminArte is the place to shop for gifts made by local artisans.
Espacio 1839, 1839 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, open Thursday through Saturday noon–7 p.m. and Sunday noon–6 p.m.
Instagram: @espacio1839
Cafecito
Cafecito: The Eastside has seen a resurgence of Latinx-owned coffee shops with neighborhood favorites like Picaresca Barra de Cafe and Ülëw paving the way. Selling locally-roasted ethically-sourced coffee beans, gift cards and cute merch, a slew of other shops have followed, including Vida Pura, Yia Caffe, Brown Owl Cafe and Lilly’s Cafe in East LA, and Acurrúcame Coffee Bar and Cafe Cafe Mobile Coffee in Boyle Heights. These local spots make it easy to support the community while enjoying your daily brew.
Ray & Roy’s Market
Ray & Roy’s Market: Originally opened in 1900 as a Jewish grocery store, this 125-year-old market became Japanese-owned until the mid-90s. In 2023, the current landlord gave up the business and this year, Picaresca co-owner Francisco Valderrama and Boyle Heights native Juan Luna created the community grocery store it is today. Ray & Roy’s claim to sell the largest selection of Mexican wines on the Eastside, organic produce, snacks and staples. The market also hosts art shows, paint-and-sips and pop-ups by local Latinx chefs like Jimmy Reyes of Leña Los Angeles. Their small-batch Mexican Cē Ācatl wines from Valle De Guadalupe pair well with turkey and tamales and make a perfect gift for the holiday party host. Wrap some groceries and goodies like Oeste and Radical Clothes Swap candles in the store’s custom burlap bags and save the date for their Dec. 14 holiday market.
Ray & Roy’s Market, 2800 E. 4th St., Los Angeles, open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Instagram: @rayandroysmarket