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Monos has just opened the doors to its new flagship store in Los Angeles, choosing the vibrant and eclectic Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice as its setting. Known for its sleek travel gear and conscious values, the Canadian brand is marking a key moment in its U.S. expansion.
A calm oasis in the heart of Venice
The store spans over 3,000 square feet, but Monos isn’t going for a flashy approach. Instead, what you’ll find is a thoughtful, almost serene atmosphere. As I read the words of Monos’ creative director, Hubert Chan, describing the space as “a moment of calm to an otherwise busy strip,” it immediately made sense. Abbot Kinney has that energetic mix of trendy boutiques, crowds, and chaos—which makes the minimalism of Monos feel like a breath of fresh air.
Inside, the full range is on display: from their carry-ons that have quietly become cult favorites, to backpacks and travel accessories that echo the brand’s clean design language. You’ll also find personalization stations and a repair service—elements that speak to a deeper consumer desire for long-term products, not just trends.
An L.A. launch that feels personal
The opening wasn’t just a ribbon-cutting moment. Monos made it into a weekend-long celebration, complete with small, thoughtful experiences. The kind that make you pause and look twice. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
- Daily giveaways to the first 25 store visitors
- Matcha lemonade popsicles created in collaboration with Sungold
- A throwback 1964½ Mustang parked out front, styled with Monos luggage for maximum photo opportunities
There’s something smart in how they’re handling this launch. It isn’t loud, but it feels curated. A brand like Monos thrives on aesthetic restraint, and somehow, even the Mustang vignette has that quality—it’s nostalgic without being kitsch.
Why Los Angeles, and why now?
Victor Tam, the co-founder and CEO, puts it simply: Los Angeles is a natural fit. A city of constant movement, cultural blending, and creative energy—if that doesn’t reflect the spirit of modern travel, I don’t know what does.
As someone who’s often struck by how fast travel gear trends come and go—bright colors one year, bulky features the next—it’s reassuring to see Monos sticking to its values. Minimalist, functional, but always with intention.
Their choice of LA also signals confidence. After entering the U.S. through Boston, they could have jumped directly to New York or Chicago. But opening in Venice shows they understand audience, timing, and mood. They’re not just placing products in a store—they’re creating ambiance around the act of traveling.
What’s next for the brand?
The Los Angeles flagship is only the beginning. Monos doesn’t hide its ambitions, with stores in Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C. already in the pipeline. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
Right now, they’re selling in 56 countries and, reportedly, making a sale every ten minutes. That’s not just impressive, it’s indicative of a shift. People are reevaluating travel after years of interruptions, and Monos seems to have landed on the emotional language of that reawakening.
What I find compelling—not just as someone who writes about brands, but as a traveler—is that Monos seems to know who it is. In a space where many brands chase after trends, there’s a quiet confidence in what they offer. It’s the kind of luggage you notice not because it screams, but because it doesn’t have to.
