The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five at Palm Springs are a mecca for connoisseurs of designer boutiques. The 14 shops, selling everything from clothing and jewelry to art, furniture, decorative accessories, rugs and exterior landscaping, are housed in a modernist building from 1955, designed by E. Stewart Williams. Partners Brandon Hoskins and Stephen Wilson fell in love with the space in 2011 and opened up the next year. 

“It was for sale, Mid-Century, and fit our vision to create designer stores,” they said, and after painting it pink (inspired by a modernism tour of Mexico City), “much to our surprise, it was an instant success,” said Hoskins. 

Social media attention is partially responsible for its success, but most importantly, the owners and their retailers work as a team.

“Laughter and compassion have helped us through both good and rough times,” Hoskins added. “We wanted our customers to come in and say, ‘I’ve never been anywhere like this before,’” Hoskins said, citing the Paris boutique Merci as their inspiration to carry merchandise that is both edgy and unique, and nothing found in department stores. “During our travels we discovered some concept stores that showed a new kind of retail idea, which influenced our vision.” 

Browse The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five online at www.theshopsat1345. com or in person at 1345 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.