Originally designed with Venice, Italy as its inspiration this unconventional seaside neighborhood thrives on a unique collision of trendiness and counter-culture street cred. From posh boutiques to quaint canals, from street performers to wayward artists - Venice continues to prefer the spectacle to the expected.
Started by husband and wife team Taku and Keiko Shinomoto, Tortoise General Store is a lovely little Abbot Kinney landmark that showcases imported Japanese crafts and items ranging from very modern to very traditional. New or old, the common thread is a sense of rarity whether you're checking out minimalist tea sets, pressed cotton notebooks, bamboo dragonflys, or ninja boots. Just when you think you've seen it all... keep going. In a separate building in the back, simply called Tortoise, is a breathtaking collection of handcrafted ceramics, stoneware, sculpture and art.
