Showing posts with label Krystina Price. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Krystina Price. Show all posts

Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Blade’s the Rage at Larry’s Shaver Shop

(Originally appeared in the July 1, 2004 edition of the Century City News)

by Krystina Price

 I had some free time and although finding an electric shaver was part of a future plan, I decided scope out Larry’s Shaver Shop in Santa Monica.  I was warmly welcomed into the blade world by Don Dillon’s great smile and sculpted bald head.  This man was made to be bald!  The room lit up when Don got behind the counter - I had so much to learn.

Larry’s Shaver Shop has been in Santa Monica for over 50 years.  The first shop opened in 1953 at the Horace Heidt Arcade on 3rd Street between Wilshire and Arizona. Horace Heidt was a bandleader in the 30’s and 40’s, and later pioneered a talent show in the early days of TV in Los Angeles.  The shop was moved to 321 Wilshire a few years later where it stood for 23 years, then moved to the corner of the 800 block of Wilshire - before the Northridge quake, and now to its present location at 821 Wilshire in Santa Monica.  Don’s been in the family business here since 1980.  That’s was when Don answered the call to help sister and 80-year-old step-grandmother run the store in California when his brother-in law, Larry Holmes, “got sick”.  Until then, Nancy, Don’s wife, had never traveled more than 13 miles from her home in Iowa, and wasn’t thrilled about their impending move.   But that was more than 20 years ago, she’s settled down since then.  It turned out to be such a good idea that Don’s niece, Marsha Okerlund, opened her own store in Hawthorne.

I had already researched various brands of electric shavers shown in store ads with a wide variety of prices and although I was on a limited budget, I wanted to “do the right thing” for my man’s beard, so I was ready to listen, and he was all mine. 

Who knew that men were into a triple/quadruple edge, wet shave?  Men hate shaving?  For no reason, watching a man shave turns me on.   However, Don reminds me that men have different beards, and some need to shave 3 or 4 times a day so they want to make it as enjoyable as possible. I hear today’s shavers don’t compare to the shavers of 25-30 years ago and some men consider their shavers their best friend. The older generation seems to be especially heartbroken when they hear their favorite can’t be fixed.  Some men are still using their fathers or grandfathers razors! What?  My Dad used a single edge razor.  He was a romantic character that used a razor strap that hung on its own hook in the bathroom.  Watching him shave on Sunday morning is one of the most cherished moments of my life, even though Mother sometimes used it as “the equalizer” in the afternoon.  His old shaving brush and cup still grace my bathroom.

Although a Grundig brand can only be purchased at shaver & specialty shops, it’s hands down, the BEST shaver made these days.  Grundig, reminds me of my Dad’s short wave radio with a record player built into the cabinet… where I played my first albums: Ray Charles and The Beatles…  The most popular brand is NORELCO.  But the trick is to customize your beard to an electric shaver.  You’ve got to get your beard to grow straight OUT - rather than UP.  After that the choice is yours.

At Larry’s Shaver Shop, they like to make sure you’re the right match for the shaver you buy. That’s why they want you to sample your shaver with your own beard - in the store.  They want you to come in with a beard and try the shaver they match you up with.  They want you stop by for a quick Braun clean up, or take care of a 2 day buzz with maybe, a Panasonic.  Bring in our old favorite.  Maybe they can fix it in-shop or forward to the factory for you.   No need to bother with the packaging and post office lines.  What a concept!  You can’t do that online.

After a few close shaves, men make their purchases, knowing they’ll come back again because it’s all been such a great experience.   Don and Clyde Helphrey, who plans on taking over the store someday, understand, and cater greatly to their customers.  Some of the famous faces who’ve stopped by in the past include: George Carlin, Anthony Quinn, Ricardo Montelbaun, Hal Lindon, Ray Walston, and Mark Harmon.  Kathryn Ross stopped by not long ago to purchase a pocket knife. Don tells me that they would love to have more females stop in.  They carry a nice assortment of Caswell-Massey products, beautiful German manicure sets and the finest cooking and camping knives.  You can even bring in your own cutlery for sharpening. Brands to buy include: Henkel, Kycera, Kershaw, Syderco, Benchmade, Cold Steel, and the trusty Swiss Army Knife.
 
I’m hooked.  Don considers his customers like family and some act like Larry’s is their personal toy store.  If they get busy, a regular might stick around to help out a new customer or help himself behind the counter. Don brings back the luxury of neighborly service.   Don’t miss it.  For a limited time, they are offering a 15 % off coupon. 


Open from Monday – Friday 9:00 to 5:30,
Saturday’s from 9-5

Larry’s Shaver Shop                                                            The Shaver Shop
821 Wilshire Blvd.                                                                17516 Hawthorne Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA  90401                                                    Torrance, CA  90504
310 393 3291                                                                          310 370 3373




Good Food and Good Times are still happening at Jade West/Century Club

(Originally appeared in the July 1, 2004 edition of the Century City News)

by Krystina Price


In 1976, I drove through the back gate, off Avenue of the Stars to work on the Fox lot. Century City was a nice walk and a change of pace from the Studio Commissary lunch.  One of my most enjoyable food experiences was YinYang in the Century City Marketplace.   I would begin my walk back through Bullock’s back door, where the shoe department, was conveniently located.
 
A special lunch was at Jade West, Century City’s premier restaurant for Chinese cuisine since 1973, at the Avenue of the Stars location.  It offered an elegant, calming ambiance, created by fine Chinese teak and rosewood furniture set amid a dramatic background,

Due to reconstruction of the ABC Entertainment Center, and the building of another office tower and the remodeling of the Century City Shopping Center, Jade West (in November 2002) and YinYang (in June 2003) joined forces and moved to their current location at The Century Club at 10131 Constellation Blvd.  Located at the heart of Century City’s business community, they are still serving their signature dishes of Chinese Chicken Salad, Walnut Shrimp, Jade West Tenderloin of Beef with Snow Peas, as well as dim sum appetizers, and new items such as their Applewood Smoked Chicken Salad, and Teriyaki Salmon served on a sizzling hot plate. 




For special banquet occasions, their chef can provide an array of international cuisine well beyond their Chinese specialties, served either buffet style or sit-down.  An outdoor patio and private banquet rooms that accommodate from 10-1000 – are available for booking.  

Open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30-3:00, Jade West remains open until 6:00 for those who wish to have a late lunch or early dinner catered to their office.  You can also call in advance to have your dinner ready for pick-up before you leave for home.

For a limited time, Jade West is offering a special promotion to assist you in celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday or promotion - celebrate with a party of 6 or more, and your guest of honor’s meal will be on the house - up to a $16 value.

On Thursdays, during Century City’s Farmer’s Market, stop in for some of their most popular dishes: Salmon and Thai Chicken, grilled to order on their open air B-B-Q.  Starting Tuesday, July 20th, you can order the same items available at the Farmers Market on Tuesdays, inside the restaurant.

The food at Jade West is a 30 year Century City tradition that has survived the test of time. Be sure to stop by Jade West for lunch during the week, or dinner (Friday & Saturday only).

For reservations or banquet/meeting inquiries, please call: 310 556 3388. 
Take Out or delivery/catering call: 310 556 0335.



The Century Club, at 10131 Constellation Blvd, provides the ideal location for local business members to enjoy an intimate luncheon featuring delicious Chinese, Thai and California cuisine prepared by its restaurant, Jade West. The Century Club and Jade West are perfect for presentations, employee parties and any number of special events - complete with state of the art lighting and sound, (and big screen TV’s - perfect for football or boxing matches) DJ booths, and multiple dance floors.  They offer a full range of event concepts and design services, whether it’s strictly business, a premier, wrap party or record release.

Club owner, Mark Fleishman, one our city’s premier nightclub industry mogul’s, former owner of Studio 54 and Tatou’s in Beverly Hills, his clubs have featured some of the greats in the music industry. A short list includes Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, and the inimitable Chaka Khan whom I remember from my Chicago days.  Even Bill Clinton made a cameo appearance, playing a sultry tune on his saxophone at the infamous Tatou’s, during his primary campaign in New York, long before we ever dreamt of a (don’t hate me because I’m famous) Monica Lewinsky. 
 
Don’t be confused during the construction. Jade West is still alive and wonderful, and an event and the Century Club would have been perfect if you only had known.  Now you do.  Make reservations for an amazing three course meal featuring fine cuisine, followed by an evening filled with dancing and live entertainment – today!

For reservations and information, call 310 553 6000
Visit their website www.centuryclub.com