Full Breakdown
Looming Changes Spark Outcry at Laurel Canyon Country Store
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Word spread in Los Angeles this year that the century-old Laurel Canyon Country Store, a low-slung brick grocery tucked into the Hollywood Hills, may undergo significant changes. Long-time patrons, many of whom view the shop as a cultural landmark, reacted with resistance, describing the potential alterations as a threat to the store’s unique “vibe.”
Historical Context
Since its opening in the early 1900s, the store has served as an informal hub for the canyon’s countercultural community. Live oaks and sycamores frame the steep slopes, and the air carries eucalyptus after rain. In the 1960s and 1970s the shop was a gathering place for folk-rock pioneers: Chris Hillman of The Byrds moved to the area after seeing a “for rent” sign outside the store; Jim Morrison of The Doors referenced the “store where the creatures meet” in his 1968 song “Love Street”; and Glenn Frey recalled seeing David Crosby on the front porch when he first arrived in Los Angeles.
Community Reaction
Spike Stewart, 75, who designed the store’s iconic flower-power signage, argued that the atmosphere cannot be bought and that the community must either keep the place as it is or lose it entirely. Residents echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the store’s role as a living link to the canyon’s artistic heritage. The outcry reflects broader concerns that modernization could erase a site that has long symbolized Southern California’s bohemian spirit.
Status of Official Response
As of now, no formal statements from the store’s owners or local authorities have been released regarding the proposed changes or the community’s objections. The situation remains unresolved, with the future of the historic grocery hanging in the balance.