Coasting on Cahuenga Boulevard on his skateboard and sporting his sunglasses, Frankie Ventimiglia looks a lot like a local student, but he's actually one of the newest business owners in the neighborhood.
He and his girlfriend Le'Ce Edwards recently opened Eye Candy Vintage, a collectibles and knick-knack shop at 5514 Cahuenga Blvd.
Inside is an inventory of treasures and trinkets from yesteryear like an old record player cabinet and an attaché case packed with a men's shaving kit.
Ventimiglia, who's also an avid guitar player and thermos collector, describes the shop's offerings as "the wave of the past," while Edwards prefers to use the term eclectic.
"I love it when people come in and see something and say, 'my grandmother has that!'" Edwards said. "It sparks a memory of an interesting point in their life."
Outside of her new business, Edwards works on shows like HBO's True Blood and is even selling some props from the program at Eye Candy like decorative wooden owls.
One of her favorite items on display is an old t-shirt repurposed as a skirt, while a lamp decorate with Lite-Brite pieces has a special place in Ventimiglia's heart.
Similar to a grocery, the store is split up into different sections, but instead of a dairy or meat aisle, there's a corner for bachelor items like bowling trophies and a shelf for religious items.
The couple has lived across the street from their new business in North Hollywood for 13 years.
Edward says she's happy to be right next door to the Cahuenga General Store, which opened about 16 years ago, and other businesses that popped up not too long ago like antique shop Georgy's and Mami's Finds and a late-night Indian restaurant.
"It's kind of a good fit for us," she said.
Eye Candy Vintage is located at 5514 Cahuenga Blvd. and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. except for Tuesdays.
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