Design Review Board Discusses The Shade Store Plans

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

The Pacific Palisades Design Review Board met virtually on Wednesday, June 9, giving The Shade Store its final stamp of approval.

The meeting called for final review of The Shade Store, which will be located at 15280 Antioch Street—a space formerly occupied by a Robeks smoothie shop that closed in 2020.

The board last met to discuss the store on Wednesday, May 12, and voiced concerns, stating that the previously submitted plans were “‘cold’ and ‘stiff’ in its own corporate branding.” Two features discussed at length during the May meeting were proposed changes of the storefront to black anodized aluminum and facade signs to a brushed steel with edge lit letters.

Members requested the applicants resubmit plans.

Michael Busch Jr., an architectural designer for The Shade Store, explained what adjustments were made and what issues the team addressed, including a proposed flat metal facade that did not fit the character of the neighborhood, removal of the vegetation on the side and its overall design that did not relate to adjacent tenants.

Busch said they changed the metal panels to match the context of buildings in the area, added an open canopy that wraps around the front and side to relate to the depth of existing tenants, eliminated a sign from the side of the building, and extended the windows to the side.

He said the canopy will be made of metal and light will be able to pass through it. The store will also have carving detail, similar to The Shade Store’s Michigan location, to give the building some texture.

Busch said the landlord of the adjacent buildings is looking to upgrade their presence overtime.

“We feel this would really be a great launchpoint for them to do that,” he said to the board.

In response to the board, Busch also introduced the store’s landscape plan, which will feature greenery in a side planter. DRB member Maryam Zar suggested The Shade Store work with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades.

“They’re doing some research, they’ve got some ideas about plantings that are indigenous and low maintenance and low water, so when the time comes, maybe we can put you in touch with them,” Zar said. “It will engender community goodwill, and I’m sure they would be happy to connect with you over appropriate planting.”

Board members praised The Shade Store for its resubmitted plans.

“I think it’s a big improvement,” one board member said. “It’s much softer looking, it’s not as harsh.”

Zar subsequently made a motion to approve the changes for The Shade Store as submitted. The motion was approved unanimously.