Last week, we headed over to the west coast for LA Mart, featuring more than 7,000 product lines in the 150-permanent showroom setup. “Where the left coast is the right choice to shop” is the theme here, and it’s definitely a show where you’re able to find favorite companies as well as some smaller, west coast products to suit your needs. LA Mart welcomed the following new showrooms this summer:

• 2-2 Hot
• Bozatli Intl
• Creativeego USA
• Culturas
• Dale Tiffany
• T. Renner
• Four Points Trading Company
• K&K Tabletops
• Katzpajamas
• KingRay Textiles
• Lumily
• Mo’s Antiques
• Moosepablos
• Pillows and Beyond
• Popobe
• RIT Z RAGS
• Teresa’s Room

The area surrounding the mart is really coming together. The lot across the street, for example, will continue to build up in the next couple of years. With structures like a parking garage, hotel, retail space, a grocery store, two high-rise condos, and two low-rise apartments, the area around the LA Mart will only skyrocket its concept of being a hometown mart. “Really we’re trying to create a great experience. We’re not the biggest so we have to be the best,” said Frank Joens, senior vice president and general manager, LA Mart & LA Mart Design Center.

They seem to have that down. And they’re doing it in a way the continues to drive patriotism. “We’re really trying to support America,” Joens said. This show is about supporting America and supporting California; how important it is to find patriotism in a time when maybe it’s not as easy. It’s reflected in the elevator lobby displays, which pay tribute to the national parks in California; you can see it in the lobby pillars that reflect coming together to shop and be unified. The continued expansion of the mart will grow nicely along with downtown Los Angeles, setting it up for wild success.

The California Marketplace was abuzz with shoppers eager to spend in the temporary booths. Almost equally divided between cash & carry and order writing, both sides of Kentia Hall at the LA Convention Center showed promise.

A nice lineup of new exhibitors was at the show and had with them an impressive collection of product to show in the following categories:

• Gift
• Makers’ Market
• Personal Style
• Boardwalk
• Souvenir
• Resort
• World Style
• Jewelry Cash & Carry
• Treasures to Go
• Vintage Exhibitors

Both shows were successful, and continue to work together to promote incredible products both locally and abroad.