California Apparel News

What used to be a traditional bank branch at the California Market Center in Los Angeles is being converted into a home-furnishings store filled with a blast of color.

On July 19, the Raj Lotus store will have its grand opening in the space once occupied by the United Central Bank, which moved out last year from a ground-floor space fronting Main Street.

Raj Lotus, which opened a home-furnishings store at 7961 W. Third St. two months ago, will be filled with brightly colored furniture, accent pieces, accessories and quilts made in Rajasthan, a region in northwestern India known for its vivid hues and often called the "land of kings" for the rajputs who lived there. Many of the furnishings will come from Jaipur, the region’s capital.

The home-furnishings store is an extension of a clothing line started by Raj Kapoor, who has a CMC showroom. His corporate headquarters are not far from the CMC.

For 12 years, he has been selling his Raj brand of tunics, ponchos, scarves and handbags, which can be found in stores such as Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.

“I just wanted to expand into something different, and I felt the timing was right for home furnishings,” Kapoor said of the store, which will be open to consumers and also serve as a home-furnishings showroom.

Kapoor noted there is a flurry of apartment buildings going up around the Los Angeles Fashion District, housing a number of people in need of colorful home furnishings and accent pieces.

At his Third Street store, Raj has end tables inlaid with mother of pearl, brightly upholstered ottomans, chaise lounges, embroidered pillows, quilts and mirrors in vivid tones. His CMC store will have similar merchandise.

Kapoor is timing his store opening to coincide with the CMC Gift & Home Market, which will take place July 16–23.