Author: Michael Ursu
The city of Los Angeles is home to quite a few oddities, but none are quite as otherworldly as Eagle Rock’s Angelissimo Angel Shop. Located at 4807 Eagle Rock Boulevard, Angelissimo caters to those with religious needs and a passion for angels.The store sells only religious paraphanelia, and most of the collectibles and gifts inside revolve around the theme of angels, hence the store’s name. Though this unique concept may seem strange, the amount of angelic objects inside the store is definitely intriguing.
The store is small but not cluttered – the items for sale are arranged carefully, in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. The bright white walls and clean, soft lighting add to the shop’s divine environment. The store and its concept are definitely one-of-a-kind, and it’s all because of its sweet, inspiring owner.
With a store so intimate and noncommercial, it was no surprise that the owner was in plain view, working the cash register. She was gracious enough to offer me an interview and share her passions and inspirations for creating such a heavenly store.
The Weekly: So, what is your name?
Carlos: Ruth, Ruth Carlos.
The Weekly: And where are you from, Ruth?
Carlos: I’m from the Philippines.
The Weekly: Any hobbies?
Carlos: Back home, I loved going scuba diving, mountain climbing.
The Weekly: So what inspired you to open a store like this?
Carlos: I’m a Catholic – I love angels. I believe in angels, and at the same time, I have so much faith that I know that by opening this store, I can help people to propagate [their love for angels].
The Weekly: I’m assuming you’re a very religious person, then?
Carlos: Yes.
The Weekly: Why open your store in Eagle Rock?
Carlos: There’s a lot of Filipino and Spanish people, who are both very Catholic . . .
The Weekly: So you thought you could reach out to them?
Carlos: Exactly.
The Weekly: Is there any reason as to why you are just selling angels, and not other religious paraphernalia?
Carlos: It was five years ago that I had cancer, a stage five cancer. I think I was around 30 . . . During this time, my faith was very low – I was busy with single life, going out to parties with friends. There were times where I forgot to pray, because I was preoccupied with so many other things around me.
“At this time I think I was 30 . . . I was also working at a mortgage company, earning very good pay. But I was telling myself ‘What am I going to do if I have this cancer?’ The thing that they have to do with me – it’s a sinus cancer – it’s so huge that they have to take off my cheekbone, then my left eye! It’s a massive thing! And the doctor from Singapore told me that they have to do a radical surgery. I felt so . . . nothing.
“Everything that I do, everything that I have, is nothing. All the money that you earn is nothing, if you’re sick. What happened was . . . my friends went to my house, and we prayed every single day . . . we prayed in the rosary, we prayed in the greenhouse, we prayed to Jesus Christ, every day. Every night. And then the day of my surgery, I was very scared, but at the same time, I was telling myself ‘Nobody can help me but them.’ My angels. When I arrived at the hospital, the doctor told me that if the tumor is too big, they might take off my eye [if the tumor is touching it].
“At that moment, I told myself ‘You know what, God? It’s up to you. I surrender my life to you. You gave me life, and it’s really up to you.’ After that, everything went well! Look at me now! Everything went well, after the surgery – and now I’m five years free of cancer! And after that, I had my good mortgage job and everything went well. But I got to thinking . . . mortgage went down, so why don’t I open something like this? You know? So I can share my faith to all the people.”
“I’m not really selling these religious items, these angels . . . I’m sharing my faith to people, and at the same time, I’m sharing my experience to people. Angels, they are always everywhere. Not a lot of people believe, but I believe that all of us have an angel, and we’re always protected. Sometimes when we’re about to have an accident, and suddenly we’re spared? That’s the angel who saves us, the messenger of God. Anytime we have a problem or something bad happening to us, all we have to do is pray to our angels who will deliver our message to God.”
Though the shop’s concept may seem unfamiliar and bizarre, it is a truly unique place selling beautiful collectibles. Little, local shops like Angelissimo are on the decline in this harsh economy, so Carlos’ devotion to sharing her passions, regardless of profit, is truly uplifting. Whether you are religious or not, or somewhere in between, Angelissimo’s heartfelt foundation and impassioned ownership makes the shop deserving of a visit.
Angelissimo is located on 4807 Eagle Rock Boulevard, right next to Senor Fish. They carry gifts, collectibles, and greeting cards.
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