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3 reviews for Irish Import Shop
This is a fantastic store situated in the heart of Hollywood that really sells Irish wares. The book section is fantastic, as are all of the other sections. The CDs are plentiful and the selection contains titles that aren't even available at the Amoeba Music just 5 minutes away.
This store's popularity shows because even though it's a specialty shop, there has rarely been a time that I've been in there when fewer than three individual parties have been shopping there. Fantastic!
I LOVE THIS PLACE!
If you are looking for Irish ANYTHING, this is the place to go. The owner, Anne is wonderful - it's such a pleasure just to pop in and have a chat with her. She's always busy, but never too busy to ask how you've been and chat you up a bit. Her gentle manner and accent is almost therapeutic! I go in just to chill out, relax and reboot. Anne aways has live Irish news playing in the background, or some great Irish music, so the moment you step in you feel transported to the Emerald Isle.
The inventory is amazing! Where to start??
The lovely hand knit sweaters, hats and scarves are gorgeous!
ALL kinds of books (Recipe, history, language, children's, etc)
Funny Irish T-Shirts (Guinness Merchandise as well)
Lovely Waterford Crystal and Beleek Pottery
Fabulous Irish soap, perfume and bath salts
Bumperstickers and key chains
Greeting cards (in English and Gaelic)
Cool genuine Blackthorne sticks
Big selection of Irish/Celtic music (trad and modern)
VHS and DVD's
Guinness pint classes, shot glasses, bar towles
INCREDIBLE selection of Irish jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces, etc)
You can even get Dettol Irish antiseptic - this stuff is incredible, use it 100 different ways.
But - my favorite
THE FOOD!
Everything from chocolate to tins of peas, beans, custards and treacle!
McVities, HobNobs - and some of the best array of Irish and British candy you will see in LA (Cadbury, Quality Street, etc). There are mixes for trifle, puddings, brown bread, soda bread and potato bread. A few kinds of cereal and oatmeals, fab selections of teas (loose and bagged), nice assortment of drinks and sodas, (Mix some Ribena with 7-up and add a splash of the Lemon Barley Water - deeelish!). Delicious jams and jellies too! Also lots of condiments - Coleman's mustard, Goodalls steak sauce, Heinz salad spreads. My favorite is the Coleman's Garden Mint sauce.
The refrigerator and freezer is PACKED with even more mouth watering selections! Rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, cheeses, scones, breads, lemon puffs and tarts, desserts, etc. What a treat!
While you are there you can ask Ann about the local Irish scene and what events are going on. She always knows the latest about what plays, concerts or other events are coming up. She will usually have flyers as well. She also has the local Irish paper and a few Brit papers as well, free of charge - just pick one up or ask!
If you're lucky, you'll be there on a day Anne has some fresh baked scones bagged and ready to sell. You can always call ahead and ask if and when she'll have them.
It's always great to visit this store, but it's especially wonderful this time of year, and even closer to Christmas. Anne always orders lovely Irish Christmas items, - ornaments, Christmas Cards from Ireland, specialty Holiday treats and stocking stuffers, Christmas Crackers filled with goodies, Irish holiday music, etc.
I can't think of a better place to stock your pantry, or buy a unique gift for a friend (or yourself!).
Oh and did I mention that one time I was there, Colin Ferrell was just leaving? Yeah, not a bad perk! You never know who you might run into!
I am in love with this place. My favorite candy is the Violt Crumble bar and when work is bad or my day isn't so awesome, I can walk down the block and make my day better with a trip to this awesome little store.
