LALA Land 2018: Right at Home

FOR ALISSA JACOB AND ALIZA NEIDICH, anything less than lifelong friendship seemed inevitable. They met in the lobby of their Manhattan apartment building when they were only 2 years old and their moms figured out they were going to the same nursery school. Oh, and their mothers share the same name, Linda, their own names  are similar, and their father’s names (Gary and Barry) rhyme. You could say it was written in the stars. Four years ago, Jacob joined Neidich and her now husband, artist Stephen Neidich, in making the move to Los Angeles, and after discovering what they felt was a dearth of elevated retail options, the
consummate New Yorkers opened a boutique of their own, Reservoir, in 2015. “The ethos behind Reservoir has always been to create an edited one-stop-shop in L.A. that presents a uniquely curated selection of goods, from a candle to a coffee-table book to fine jewelry
to a great dress or Turkish towel,” says Jacob, who lives in Hancock Park with her fiancé, Steve Matkovich, a chef who works for Wolfgang Puck. “We found a lot of the stores in L.A. weren't catering to the same fashion sensibility we saw in New York.” Reservoir— which carries brands as far-ranging as Zimmermann, Anita Ko, Opening Ceremony, Alexander Wang, Re/Done and Sidney Garber (the jewelry line designed by Neidich’s mother-in-law, Brooke Garber Neidich)—found its first home on Robertson Boulevard, but this past
fall, the duo made the move to the burgeoning shopping development Platform LA in Culver City. “We realized retail was changing,” says Jacob, whose background is in real estate
development. “Brick-and-mortar retail is fading as many consumers are shopping online. Platform was very appealing to us because the developers really understand retail curation and how to approach it in this day and age.”  Reservoir’s new home is not just a clothing boutique—it’s an experience. Nicknamed “Reservoir at the Shop,” it shares its space
with chic furniture designer Tom Dixon and is adjacent to the Hayden Wine Bar. “Where else in L.A. can you find a lifestyle boutique, furniture-slash-lighting retailer and a café in one place?” asks Jacob of the 7,000-square-foot space outfitted with bronze and
glass light fixtures, marble staging areas and midcentury-inspired furniture. The memorable experience also comes with impeccably edited offerings within Reservoir. There are occasion pieces, as well as casual items such as tees, denim and accessories, all alongside
sunglasses, books, fragrances, fine jewelry, knickknacks and more. “We did a ton of research before we opened,” says Neidich, a former fashion publicist who lives in Los Feliz and recently welcomed a baby boy. “We put together a lengthy list of designers we personally owned and loved and new lines that we thought would do well in this
market. We're constantly on the lookout for great brands.” At the Platform location, Jacob and Neidich have already introduced a few new collections, including Coqui Coqui perfumes, clothing from Alexis and Misa, Fox & Bond vintage jewelry and the
largest installation of Westward Leaning sunglasses available. The business partners seek to continue to find ways to introduce their customer to something they may not have seen before. “We’ve been collaborating with local designers to bring in special trunk shows,”
says Neidich. “We’re very selective with our partners and make sure it's something unique that isn't offered elsewhere.” Ultimately, Jacob and Neidich’s goal for Reservoir is to make busy women’s lives just a little easier: “We want to create a space for women to come pick up whatever they need while being able to trust it will work,” says Jacob.