Special Moments Says Goodbye to Community

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

After nearly 40 years in business, Mely and Tim Parmelee have decided to retire and close the doors of their family-owned and operated Pacific Palisades boutique, Special Moments, located at 873 Via De La Paz.

Mely, a native Italian, first had a store in Torino, Italy, when she met Tim, who happened to be studying abroad for a year in the ’70s. After a short amount of time, the two got married and instead of staying in Torino for one year—Tim stayed with Mely for almost 10.

The couple then decided to join Tim’s family in Pacific Palisades, where he grew up. Mely started a business in Los Angeles in 1983, La Sposa, by designing and making bridal gowns.

In 1988, she opened Special Moments in the Palisades, selling women’s lingerie, intimate wear, robes and leisure wear, including what she explained are the best quality names of European lines and designers like Ritratti, Cosa Bella, Simon Perele and more. A wide selection of apparel is imported from Italy and France.

“It was really wonderful,” Mely said about her experience and having her shop in the Palisades. “When you’re with the same people for more than 30 years, they become your family. The Palisades is so wonderful to work with, there are fantastic people.”

Tim shared that they had loyal clients who would shop with them for years.

Mely said she enjoyed the relationships she built with the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce and the events they would put on together, like fashion shows and evening friendship meetings. Special Moments was a part of the 2019 Christmas Stroll, hosted by the Chamber on the evening of December 6.

As for retirement, Mely and Tim said that although they still have their house in Italy, their home is here in Los Angeles. They plan on traveling and seeing more of the world when it’s safe to do so.

Mely and Tim ask the community to drop in to say good-bye or to purchase a present for a loved one before the store closes. The store is projected to close by the end of July.

Until then, Special Moments remains open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.