Effortlessly, without the use of subway tile or metro-racks, you can tell that Local 1205 has a New York influence — without an olive oil sampling table or menacing tower of coffee beans in burlap bags. Let's face it, we've all seen plenty of knock-off Dean & DeLuca's in the specialty grocery market, and it was time for someone to give shoppers something new.
Craig Weiss' micro-mart concept is rustic and industrial enough to let the gourmet foods, local produce, East-Coast style deli, and raw bar shine.
Local 1205 might not be entirely local, but the merchandise assortment is compelling nonetheless. Across from a selection of imported mustards (France), Boat Street Pickles (Seattle), and Pane Carasau (Italy) there's a counter for grass-fed meats, charcuterie, bread, and a station for made-to-order sandwiches. House made Porchetta balances New York meats from Katz’s and 2nd Avenue Deli.
In front of the sandwich counter, a variety of pickles and olives in barrels make an Organic Foods Store self-serve fixture look impersonal.
The space is well organized and a bit sparse by grocery standards. We imagined a few of our merchant pals clamoring to "stack it high and let it fly". But clearly quality trumps quantity here. There's space for everything to breathe, including metal bins for bulk dry-foods like steel cut oats.
An extensive cold pressed juice and smoothie program coupled with raw vegan foods reflect LA's sunny disposition without that hippie vibe. Of the four distinct areas within the store, this is clearly the busiest.
