Bee Free Opens in Silver Lake
Angie Freeman comes from a family of beekeepers. So for her first retail venture, which opened May 17, she called the shop Bee Free in a salute to her family’s avocation. However, the focus of the boutique, located in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood, is contemporary fashion.
Bee Free is at 1639 Silver Lake Blvd., across the street from influential indie rock club Spaceland. The neighborhood is a destination for rock fans and for those patronizing neighborhood restaurants, such as L&E Oysters. Freeman is selling contemporary lines such as Naven, Aryn K, Heartloom and Lovers + Friends at her 1,500-square-foot boutique. Retail price points range from $20 to $300 at the shop. “I wanted to open a boutique for all women,” Freeman said. “It will sell a sundress for the beach and fashion-forward dresses for a night out with the girls.”
Freeman had written independent movies and managed boutiques before she made the decision to try her own venture. She financed the boutique through SBA loans and performed some of the construction herself for the boutique space, which had been vacant for a year. She designed the boutique in a mid-century modern style with vintage wood tables.—A.A.
