Our LA angel arrived in an unexpected guise, that of Stockroom‘s Layla.
While some of our meetings had been arranged for months, we also like to drop in on our partners to see how their businesses are run. With Stockroom, we called ahead to let them know we were in town and authorised wholesale pick-up of some of their items (soon online). The shop assistants, however, had no clue who we were until we had a good look around their new Sunset Boulevar store, and experienced customer service Stockroom style.
As customers, we get the friendliest of welcomes and superb assistance. As their only UK importer, we get a grand tour of the facilities, the office and the factory where Stockroom manufacture their leather merchandise. We know a well-run business when we see one, and Stockroom is impressive in more ways than one. A common kitchen, great atmosphere, “Employee of the Month” certificates… It’s reassuring to see that someone else shares our pride in running a kinky business, professional services and mainstream standards.
Layla releases her colleague at 11pm, and stays with us till nearly 2am. We buy up Stockroom’s complete stock of Janice Unveiled” (out of print), and pick up some Personal Shopper orders (where we hunt down custom items for those of you who request some).
As always, we check out LA LGBT centre, and attend the Transgender Perceptions moderated workshop (Fridays, 8pm). We are delighted to swap stories, both joyful and sad, and wind up sharing dinner with everyone (Thank you, Michelly!).
Incidentally, our LA adventure ends on a red Hollywood carpet. Touring Queen Mary, we bump into Tony Todd, of The Candyman, The Rock and 24’s General Juma. Crushing us with iron handshakes, Tony proclaims his love for Europe and Paris’s “beautiful women and wine” in particular. Our gift of Dorian Drake and Ray Leaning postcards secures us an invite to a film festival, where we watch in bemusement both the photo ops and the audience. Kink is alive and well in LA, and cheers that greet any onscreen action are as entertaining as the movie.
Wasted, we crash at the Topanga Canyon. On the morrow, we chill at Water Lily Cafe and head for the Mohavie desert.
Amidst Joshua Trees, Layla dutifully calls us. We sure can pick up more orders in San Franciso, and she has made all the arrangements for us.
