This store was the highlight of my recent, week-long trip to Coachella Valley. A friend and I decided to stroll along the famous El Paseo when we spotted a most unusual chair in a store window. We had to see it up close, sit in it, and learn its story. In we went. We soon noticed that the whole store is full of unusual things, some new, some newish. The kind owner, Patrick Dragonette, happily answered questions and was so patient when I inspected each beaded insect brooch from the display case. This is hands down the coolest store in the valley, maybe in Southern CA (it used to be in Beverly Hills). If you love unusual things of high quality, make a bee-line to this very cool store. (Because he was so kind, and "our sort of person," my friend and I called shortly after we left, for a restaurant recommendation. Patrick graciously offered up a couple, one of which we then tried, and it did not disappoint. See review of Cafe des Beauz-Arts.) read more