10/02/2025
Hello again from Sam & Heather.
Unfortunately, the time has come. After over 20+ years Oh, Fancy That! will be closing its doors. We were unsuccessful in finding a buyer to take on the shop. During these uncertain times with lots of things changing - I’m not surprised.
Sam & I have loved getting to know people through the store over the last 5 years. I used to tell any newly arrived British person to go visit my mom in the store if they were homesick. More to have a chat with her than to buy anything. Her unique personality and intense strength was what kept the store alive for so many years. When I was younger, I used to work the occasional day while mom was out. I’d get so offended by everyone popping their head in to say “Is Jean in? No? Ok i’ll come back when she is.” It’s ok - I forgive you all. I also forgive the FEW of you that thought Sam was my son! I blamed his high top sneakers and Mickey mouse wrist watch (not my age). Bloody cheek.
She used the money she received from a car accident to open Oh, Fancy That! She had been hit by someone who ran the stop sign at Sepulveda & Burbank. YES the shop has been around since BEFORE Sepulveda/Burbank had TRAFFIC LIGHTS. She used the money from that to open one booth at the (now defunct) Valley Indoor Swapmeet. She sold fairy pillows, Victorian dolls, and a very small amount of British food. Slowly the demand for British food rose and as it did, so did the store. I believe she left after finally growing to the size of 6 booths. I was usually behind a small curtain with an old twist k**b TV that had 6 channels and an old nintendo.
We have many lovely memories here and hope you all do too. Some of my favorites are - when mom found a white dove in the shop. She caught it, named it Lorenzo and tracked down the owners of the bird!
Watching Bernard, dressed as a King, chase after some dumb teens that stole our King Charles cut out during our coronation party.
Finding out mom saved a man’s life when he had a heart attack in the shop. She’d never told anyone!
When she got drunk at a Halloween party dressed as the Devil and she kept trying to give the uber driver the address for the store instead of her house and we refused to let her leave.
When Sam finally got to come over after covid and i was so nervous to pick him up - Sandy let me sit in her mail truck.
It feels like closing our family home. We wish everyone the best of luck and are immensely grateful for all the support for my mom and us over the years.
Sam & I will be in the shop the next two weeks if you’d like to come by and say hello!
Keep calm and carry on.
Oh, Fancy That!
