Redondo Beach's Businesses Of The Year: 2020

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Is it the friendly staff, the quality food, or the top-notch customer service that makes you love a business? During the coronavirus pandemic, shopping small has become of utmost importance as businesses, restaurants and local stylists struggle to make ends meet.

Here are the Redondo Beach businesses that rose to the top, according to Patch readers:

Beach Life Fitness Boutique, 312 S Catalina Ave. Suite E, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Their kindness and means of really connecting with anyone in the studio is unparalleled! Danielle has a heart of gold and fruit is in the indigent for the right reasons- to help people and see not just bodies change but confidence levels and overall happiness."

Trader Joe’s, 1761 S Elena Ave, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Outstanding service, quality of products, and consistent friendly atmosphere of the store."

Hop Saint Brewery and Restaurant, 5160 W 190th St, Torrance

What our readers are saying: Amazing food, personal service, polite and courteous employees. Go the extra mile for their customers

Natural World Market & Cafe, 2302 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Best tasting healthy food in Redondo town.

Joes Postal Center, 4001 Inglewood Ave # 101, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Joe and his staff are always very attentive and their customer service is beyond amazing! They provide the time a customer needs and are never in a rush! Their postal center is very neat and organized. Joe’s 24/7 Postal Center has also adapted well to COVID-19 by requiring facemasks and social distancing is enforced. Great small business!"

Turquoise Restaurant, 1735 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Their food & presentation is exquisite. They use the finest ingredients. The owner always acknowledges your presence."

"Local owner with always personalized service."

Ten Thousand Villages, 1907 S. Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "I nominate Ten Thousand Villages as Business of the Year for a multitude of reasons. First, let me tell you about the store. Ten Thousand Villages is a unique non-profit store, run by volunteers, that sells fair-trade goods hand-crafted by artisans in developing countries who would otherwise struggle to earn a living. They sell a wide range of beautiful, ethically sourced products such as kitchenware, jewelry, home decor, children's goods, fashion items and more. More than 100,000 marginalized people around the world — artisans and their families — rely on Ten Thousand Villages stores nationally to keep food on the table, a roof over their head, and their children in school. The words "fair-trade" are commonplace now, but Ten Thousand Villages was a pioneer in the movement and has been putting people and the planet first since 1946. To my knowledge, it is the only fair trade store in the South Bay.

Some of their unique goods include bombshell jewelry — wearable symbols of peace — hand crafted by Cambodian artisans from repurposed brass once used as bomb casings. Or colorful placemats, baskets and blankets handmade from recycled saris by artists in Bangladesh. Or handmade greeting cards that say on the back, "This card was created for you by women who have escaped sex trafficking in the Philippines. Your purchase provides jobs that enable these women to support their families."

When I shop at Ten Thousand Villages, I feel good because I'm shopping with consciousness and I know my purchase provides disadvantaged makers an opportunity to earn a fair and steady income, in turn breaking the cycle of generational poverty and igniting social change. What's more, shopping there is such a zen-like experience. The lighting is warm and soft, the products are delightful to look at, touch, smell and listen to (the CDs they sell are always playing throughout the store) and the staff is kind and helpful. I think a big part of the reason the "vibes" in the store feel so good is that the staff (with the exception of the lovely store manager) are all unpaid volunteers. As volunteers, everyone working there truly wants to spend time there because they believe in Ten Thousand Villages, its products and its mission. It's not a job - it's a passion for making the world a better place, one hand-crafted item at a time. That passion comes across to the customers who shop there. So buying a product there feels good -- and receiving a product from there feels just as good. It's not some factory-produced item you can buy at a department store that supports corporate America. It's a unique item made by hand by someone who can use the money to live a decent life, a life like most of us enjoy here in sunny Redondo Beach.

Now, let me tell you about the efforts Ten Thousand Villages has gone to in order to help the store (and in turn the artisans it represents) survive in 2020. Early on, Ten Thousand Villages secured and donated food and hygiene items to first responders and women's shelters. The store has gone to great efforts to meet CDC protocols so its customers and staff are safe, including installing Plexiglas and re-configuring the store for one-way traffic, plus limiting the amount of customers allowed inside. An online store, curbside pickup and individual one-on-one shopping experiences were also implemented. All of this is challenging enough for a for-profit store, but for a non-profit like Ten Thousand Villages, the financial impact has been profound. Nevertheless, the goal of supporting artisan partners throughout the globe is front of mind, and makes the goal of keeping the store open more important than ever."

Riera's Place, 1908 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Opened amid pandemic, locally owned and staffed. Riera's is a Deli paying homage to a former Redondo Restaurant. Excellent and "true to their roots" entrees, friendly and attentive staff."

Maderos Cocina Mexicana, 231 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Family-owned and the nicest people! The food is great and authentic (yummy corn!). Service is wonderful."

Wild Birds Unlimited, 1886 1/2 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "The store is locally owned and personal. Bob has been there forever."

Good Stuff Redondo Beach, 1617 S Pacific Coast Hwy #102, Redondo Beach

What our readers are saying: "Great food, great people, great atmosphere (when we get to visit.) Chris gives back to the community."

"Good Stuff has selflessly helped hungry families during their own challenges with COVID restrictions. Quality healthy food and they are a local restaurant.

"Cris is a selfless human being with wonderful kids that have contributed to the community. He has been a long supporter of youth sports."

"Healthy yummy food with plenty of Gluten-free options."

"Not only do they have great food and service they care so much for the communities. They donate their proceeds to schools during certain nights and they also display children’s art from local schools. I am so grateful for their presence in Redondo Beach!"

"The best food, customer service is excellent!"

"First, great food. But then.....great service, friendly staff, they really care about you, and the Good Stuff does gives back BIG TIME to the local community! Can't get better than that during these times."

"Excellent and consistent customer service, fresh and delicious food, and timely service. Jairo is the most amazing manager. He is super organized, loves his staff, and knows most of his customers’ names."

"Wonderful, healthy food and great staff."

"Great food, great excellent service, wonderful location."

"Love the food and staff plus during the first shut down they fed essential workers."

"Kind staff, great service, phenomenal food."

"Great ownership, awesome staff, and excellent and healthy food!"

"Great food and great service."

"Great food, great prices, great staff."

"Owner Cris Bennett has set up a wonderful atmosphere in a tough time!"

"Good wholesome food & good service. We go there regularly."

"By far the best menu for breakfast I have experienced!"

"Food is awesome with many healthy alternatives. The staff is always friendly and helpful."

"Sent out weekly e-mails offering family dinner packages during COVID-19 at reasonable prices. Ones we tried were good!"

"Best Restaurant in town."

"Wonderful, loyal staff. Great food — always fresh & healthy. Creative menu."

"Excellent customer service and delicious healthy food."

Which other Redondo Beach area businesses do you love? Tell us in the comments!