Last Saturday, Feb. 21, Belmont Shore welcomed two new businesses to the community.
Burke Mercantile, a boutique founded by Long Beach resident Maggie Stoll in 2017, built out her business online before opening a brick and mortar location in Long Beach.
The boutique, according to its website, offers slow fashion, unique gifts, and artful goods — with a focus on putting the health of the planet before profit. Burke Mercantile has held a California Green Business Certification — which recognizes businesses that conserve resources, prevent pollution, and implement other sustainability-focused practices — since 2020.
New business owners (from left to right): Maggie Stoll of Burke Mercantile and Vannick Por and Winston Yeh from 2nd & Park Collective hold certificates of recognition from Sen. Lena Gonzalez’s office. (Photo courtesy of Belmont Shore Business Association).
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New business owners (from left to right): Maggie Stoll of Burke Mercantile and Vannick Por and Winston Yeh from 2nd & Park Collective hold certificates of recognition from Sen. Lena Gonzalez’s office. (Photo courtesy of Belmont Shore Business Association).
Burke Mercantile has also donated to numerous nonprofits and community organizations since its founding, including Algalita Marine Research & Education, Long Beach Community Table, Long Beach Fresh, the Arts Council for Long Beach, and more, according to its website.
The boutique’s new location is located at 191 Park Avenue.
The 2nd & Park Hair Collective has also officially moved into the neighborhood as of Saturday, Feb. 21.
The Hair Collective specializes in “high-skill barbering and cosmetology services,” according to its website, offering precision cuts, color, and styling to its clients. The business also says it’s focused on building out community and neighborhood strength through its services and offerings.
The business is located at 4726 Second Street.
Bixby Knolls
The Bixby Knolls Improvement Association has introduced a new series of Olympics-themed pole banners along its Atlantic Avenue shopping district.
Each banner highlights an Olympic ring color, a country, sport, and corresponding local businesses that reflect those international cultures.
“Every detail was chosen with the intention of connecting global sports with our local identity,” the Improvement Association wrote on social media.
The Bixby Knolls Improvement Association has launched a series of new pole banners honoring the Olympics and Long Beach’s ties to international cultures. (Photo courtesy Bixby Knolls Improvement Association).
The Bixby Knolls Improvement Association has launched a series of new pole banners honoring the Olympics and Long Beach’s ties to international cultures. (Photo courtesy Bixby Knolls Improvement Association).
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The Bixby Knolls Improvement Association has launched a series of new pole banners honoring the Olympics and Long Beach’s ties to international cultures. (Photo courtesy Bixby Knolls Improvement Association).
The new red banner, for example, represents Japan’s national flag and honors the country’s status as a powerhouse in gymnastics — while paying homage to Japanese restaurants in Bixby Knolls including Sushi West, Hiro Nori, Sushi Nikkei, Teburo, and Ramen Hub.
The green banner was inspired by Mexico’s national flag, and pays tribute to the country’s 14 Olympic boxing medals, while highlighting various Mexican businesses in the area including Lola’s Mexican Kitchen, Ancestros, La Taqueria Brand, Tony’s Kitchen, Mama Juana’s, Patricia’s Restaurant, Blue Burro, and Semillitas.
“Make a day of it; shop small, dine local, and don’t forget to look up,” the organization wrote. “Special thanks to Nguyen Lawyers for sponsoring our banners and helping us proudly celebrate our district.”
Cali Chilli
Last week, my family enjoyed lunch at Cali Chilli, an Indian fusion eatery led by Michelin Star chef Manjunath Mural.
In the morning hours, the restaurant is occupied by Pancake Long Beach, which serves pancakes and American breakfasts to the morning crowd.
Cali Chilli, an Indian-fusion restaurant located across from Heartwell Park on Viking Way. (Photo by Jo Murray).
Panipuri is just one of many offerings at Cali Chilli. (Photo by Jo Murray).
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Cali Chilli, an Indian-fusion restaurant located across from Heartwell Park on Viking Way. (Photo by Jo Murray).
But later in the day, the cozy restaurant — which is located across from Heartwell Park on Viking Way — transforms into an eatery offering a fusion of traditional Indian flavors with California ingredients.
Cali Chilli calls itself an “unauthentic Indian Restaurant,” and they are just that. The food is sourced locally from California, and the flavors are mild and more suited to a SoCal palate.
Chef Mural offers myriad unique dishes, including butter chicken pot pie, his signature filet mignon, and vindaloo.
There are also plenty of small plates options, and I’d recommended ordering several of those alongside a few entrees to share with family or friends.