Break the Chain

Story and photos by Delaney Tran

Locally owned shops that are individual in both their character and their existence line many of Long Beach’s streets. It is no surprise many of these mom-and-pop businesses have lasted over 20 years and continue to thrive in a city that cherishes and celebrates the unique. Here are four of our favorites.

Fingerprints Music

420 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Photos by Delaney Tran

It was July 1992. Long Beach dweller Rand Foster felt the city lacked record stores, so he decided to open one himself. Belmont Shore thrived with local businesses, and there, Fingerprints Music was born.

The name derived from the concept of fingerprints: a little residue that doesn’t damage a product, yet also signifies a previously touched item. His friend was opening a used CD store at the time and was looking for a logo. Foster previously dabbled in graphic design and decided to help his friend out, but ended up creating the logo and finding the name for Fingerprints.

After 18 years, Belmont Shore was starting to change into a strip of service chain stores, and the rising rent was taking out local-based businesses. Foster decided to move locations to Fourth Street.

Throughout its years, Fingerprints has symbolized more than just music; it also contains DVDs, books, art and apparel. The shop has also hosted well-known artists such as Cage the Elephant and Foo Fighters, indie bands like Prophets of Rage, art shows, book readings and movie nights.

“[Fingerprints] is kind of a hub that is more than a CD shop,” Foster says, “and it is the heart of what is reflected in the city.”

Planet Roller Skate Shop

2148 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Photos by Delaney Tran

Formerly known as Moxi Roller Skate Shop, Planet Roller Skate Shop is all love, all skates, for all. Their recent move to 2148 E. 4th St., just a few stores down from the original shop, still holds the name Moxi Roller Skate Shop on its storefront as an homage to their identity and history.

The shop was originally a storefront owned by Michelle “Estro Jen” Steilen, an extension of her Moxi brand. After no longer wanting a storefront, it was sold to Shayna “Pigeon” Meikle, who renamed it to Planet Roller Skate Shop even though the storefront still keeps its original name. This is because the store is no longer under the Moxi brand, but a provider of roller skates as a whole.

Employee Olivia Crosby describes that after Meikle took over, it became “nondenominational: derby, dance, street skate, man, woman, straight, queer, this was something for you―a product that represented you.”

“I have been here for ten years and this has become my family and my life,” Crosby says, reflecting on the inclusivity in the skating community. “The only thing you have to do to be a skater is to skate. And that’s the way it should stay.”

She states that every employee is a passionate skater and works at the shop because their “heart’s in it,” always happy to share their knowledge and experience with a customer. Every summer, they provide free lessons at Bixby Park, but welcome anyone into the roller skating community anytime.

DeadRockers

1023 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Photos by Delaney Tran

DeadRockers is an homage to rock, rockabilly and punk realm in a niche shop form. You’ll find the skull signage on the storefront is just a peek into the punk-rock realm of black, leather and metal inside. There you can find vinyls, patches, housewares, bags, clothing, art and so much more packed within the store.

In short, it is owner Lindsay Shaver’s heart, soul and passion. It was a “side hustle” that became something she thought would never happen.

Since a young age, she has always been into music and punk, but there weren’t that many places for her to buy merchandise.

“Online ordering wasn’t fully a thing yet, so once I turned 18, I started seeking out brands and record labels and started selling,” Shaver recounts about the start of her virtual shop in 2005. “I actually started selling on MySpace, that was my first channel. Then I would do pop-ups at roller derby bouts and punk shows and car shows and anywhere that was subculture involved that would let me.”

In 2012, an opportunity came up to start a physical store, where it currently stands on 4th Street. For around four years, she shared the space with Top Sekoms, a local skate shop, but the owners eventually went on independently. Afterwards, Shaver took over the space, renovated it and fostered its growth ever since.

Iguana Import Gallery

3440 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach

Photos by Delaney Tran

Any customer who walks into Iguana Import Gallery will marvel at the eclectic collection of products. Ranging from furniture, to apparel, to candles and gift items, the shop imports products from local artists to all around the globe, including South America, Africa and Europe.

Established in 1993, the shop came from partners in life and business Jorge Valdez and Tom Reed’s passion and love of diversity. It is why the shop fits right in Long Beach―the city is just as multicultural as what is reflected within Iguana’s walls.

“It’s celebrating world culture and creating a curiosity of the world,” says David Rhoden, the candlemaker at Iguana. “The idea of the store was to create a curiosity and promote learning about different cultures.”

The name Iguana ties into the theme of culture, as well. Iguanas symbolize wisdom and understanding of civilizations, societies and art, which is why customers are urged to ask questions about the products.

The items are beautiful to look at, but also have different cultures and histories behind them. It’s what makes the store have such an unforgettable and distinct personality, from the hanging Moroccan lamps to the wafting incense scent that will follow customers even after leaving.

This article was originally posted in the DIG MAG summer 2020 magazine issue and on the website.