Merry’s makes your world a little bit smaller

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Thumbing the price tags at Merry’s (“Fashion With Passion”) is a lot like playing with a globe—eyes closed, index on the surface as it spins, as your seven-year-old self used to do—only here, your finger never stops on Paris, Pittsburgh or Perth. Instead, you land [...]

Shades of Afrika wages war against gentrification

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Some people love Long Beach’s downtown revitalization efforts. Shades of Afrika owner Renee Quarles isn’t one of them. The 47-year-old is one of many who are feeling the effects of a little thing called eminent domain. After thoughts of losing her business to redevelopment loomed over [...]

TREE OF LIFE: BEACH HEALTH TREE NATURAL FOODS The necessary center step between the prescription conglomerates and drinking hot lemon water in your darkened sick hole: Beach Tree has a sympathetic and knowledgeable staff able to deploy their selection with precision, compassion and efficiency. Simple things they have totally covered and esoteric things they have [...]