Laurel Canyon Country Store

What a precious LA gem!! Stepping into this amazing place felt like time slowed down and the crazy fast-paced world we currently live in stood at a standstill. Do yourself a favor by popping in, stop looking at your phone, and instead listen closely to Tommy Bina the owner tell you some incredible stories poetically about the history of this place...from Native Americans to famous musicians who have all left an indelible footprint on this LA landmark. Trust me, it is time very well spent and you will walk out of this store (to me it felt more like a cultural museum, and saying this in pure awe and wonder) with both a warm smile and a renewed appreciation for the City of Angels. Two much-needed things in the often-times-chaotic Southland we all live in. Peace :)

As a long time resident of the canyon, we love popping in to the Country Store in a pinch. People want to complain about the prices or that they don't offer much, but it's not a full on grocery store - it's meant to be a place for canyon residents and those passing through to grab something last minute or for a quick drink/snack. They always have my sons favorite lemonade and when I get grab a latte at Lilly's, I let him get that. I am an avid music lover, especially classic rock and folk, etc. If you are too, then I suggest going in to talk to the employees (especially Tommy) about the history of the store and the canyon. They're all filled with amazing stories & love showing people around! Let the pictures on the walls speak for themselves too. No, it's not a fancy place. It's not upscale. BUT it is convenient. I love our neighborhood country store & also the yearly photo day!

Historical old market with lots of history. Go in have a sandwich at the deli. Ask questions they love to share stories about all the 60s rock legends that frequented this wonderful hangout . Lots of photos and if you go down stairs you can see the door of the room Mama Cass rented. The sandwiches are nice and made with love.

I love the CcS. It's like walking back in time to the sixties. Ask Tommy to show you around. He's very proud of his business.

The 2024 Grammy Awards had Joni Mitchell 80 who miraculously recovered from a brain aneurism singing her song Both Sides Now. We"re going back to where it all began. It's Time to jump into The TimeMobile & scour the Earth & take you to places from a different time that you won't believe still exist. We have set the dial to the 1960's in the city of Los Angeles. Laurel Canyon was LA's answer to San Francisco's Haight Ashbury & the counter culture. Joni Mitchell composes The Album Ladies of the Canyon which features the title song & Big Yellow Taxi. It also includes the iconic Theme from Woodstock also recorded by Crosby Stills Nash & Young (CSNY) who appeared at The Woodstock Festival & is on the Deja Vu album. Graham Nash was living with Joni & composed the song Our House by (CSNY). Mama Cass of the Mamas & Papas (California Dreaming) needed a place to stay & the owner let her stay in the Basement of the Country Store. She used a secret staircase to go in & out. Cass used to introduce people on the store's patio & they would form bands. The Mamas & Papas song Twelve Thirty is about the Canyon. They appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival - one of the first rock concerts. Jimi Hendrix lived across the street from the store & appeared at both Monterey Pop & Woodstock. Jim Morrison of The Doors also lived across the street with his girlfriend Pamela Courson. The song Love Street is about the store. The signs are now up. The Doors appeared at the very first outdoor rock festival called Fantasy Fair & Magic Mountain Music Festival. British Singer Jackie De Shanon is seen standing on the store's stairway on her album Laurel Canyon. It featured the title song & I Got My Reason Composed by Barry White. Meanwhile George Harrison (The Beatles) lived on Blue Jay Way in the Canyon & wrote a song about the street. It appears on the Magical Mystery Tour album. Master Magician Houdini, Billy Mummy (Lost in Space), Linda Ronstadt, Frank Zappa, Three Dog Night, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, The Turtles, Jackson Browne, Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) Christina Applegate ( Married with Children), all lived in the neighborhood & many others. People love living here because they're residing in the Hollywood Hills & in the canyons in a country setting but it's only only a 1/2 a mile from The Sunset Strip. They would go to The Whiskey a Go Go, Pandora's Box & other clubs & see unknown artists like Elton John, Carole King, James Taylor, The Eagles, Alice Cooper & Led Zeppelin. Cass when she got her own house & The Monkees both had the best parties. You never knew who was going to stop by. like John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Brian Wilson ( Beach Boys), Harry Nilsson, Eric Clapton. Mickey Dolenz has tapes of jam sessions with legendary performers. When the hippies clashed with the police on Sunset Blvd. the iconic song For What it's Worth by The Buffalo Springfield was created. Mick Jagger, & David Bowie used to stop into the store to buy their British treats.The Country Store was & still is the heartbeat of the community. People like Lady Gaga, Madonna, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), & Kim Khardashian have all stopped in. Jim Carey buys his Canadian treats here. The store's most famous employee was Jennifer Anniston ( Friends). Whether you're a Rock Star Celebrity or movie or TV Star let's face it we all have to eat & go grocery shopping. Artists loved & still love coming here because of all the inspirational music created here. They love it because they're not treated as celebrities but as everyday people. The Canyon continues its musical legacy even today. Lorde's song ( California) is about the Canyon. Harry Styles ( Canyon Moon) is about the area & sounds like an ode to Steven Stills ( Love the One You're With). The store was built in 1919. & there is a river running underneath it. Bill Borgan was the original owner but sold the business to Tommy Bina, his family & another partner in 1982. Bill asked please don't change anything. Tommy said Don't worry about & has kept his promise for over 40 years. It's remained the same magically preserved in time in late 60's & early 70's. I got the Turkey sandwich which is the same one that Julian Lennon gets. 4 STARS. It was Good. When you come here you get much more than a sandwich or groceries, you are swimming in Rock & Roll Royalty & Musical History. The country store provides nourishment for the body & musical nourishment for the soul. Before you come here listen to some of these songs & lyrics so you know what this place is all about. They sell their own wine & their logo T Shirts too. Be sure to walk around the whole place inside & out & see all the vintage pictures too. I'm going to take you downstairs where very few people have ever been. You've got to come here at least once in your life! They also have an annual reunion here. Some of these bands are still touring like The Turtle's, Three Dog Night, members of CSNY Roger McGuinn ( The Byrds) & others!

This legendary market is amazing. The history alone is the reason we stopped by the first time. We have been several times. Each time, we stare in awe knowing the greatness that once passed through the doors. I originally found this market in search of Jim Morrison's footsteps. Stepping into the market is like traveling back in time. We have also walked around the corner of the market to see "Love Street". The last time we were in the area, we desperately needed a pen to sign a card. This market was not the most convenient location but we stopped by here because it is so cool. We did buy some additional items like bottled drinks, chips and cookies. We love looking at the black and white photos. I just feel like it is a really special place and it was something really magical. I think there is something for everyone here. Snacks, goodies, history and a good little deli for getting food to go. They have cute little tables outside to eat your sandwiches as well. We don't live in the area but we stop by as often as we can. Each time we are delighted to see this fascinating little market where we have always been treated kindly by the sweet staff.

My main review is for the deli sandwich. It was good but nothing exciting and was on the pricy side. That said, the meat is quality and it was made with care. Could have used more meat and the cheese was OK. The deli had all kinds of side dishes like potato salad that looked good, as well as many desserts like cheesecake. Store itself is your typical country store with everything you need. Staff is friendly and there's a small coffee shop outside. Parking is a bit tough but was OK for us around lunchtime. There are tables outside.

We had to stop here because I had heard enough about the Laurel Canyon Country Store from the music documentaries I watched regarding bands in the 1970s. The store is an easy ride if you have been cruising up and down Laurel Canyon Drive from Westwood or Mulholland Drive. When you enter inside, it shows itself to be what you generally find at most general stores up in the mountains; a dependable country store that has essentials for when you can't reach a supermarket and a sandwich counter if you want a sandwich. They have photos of all the celebrities who have appeared at the Country Store since it opened decades ago. Also, Mama Cass lived in the basement, which was a bit of music history I didn't know. At the very least, it's a good stop if you need to obtain some good drinks, snacks, sandwiches, or produce.