For the first time, ALPAKA had a physical home in the United States. From July 2–19, 2026, we opened our doors at 1306 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, California, so people could finally get hands-on with our bags.

It was something we'd wanted to do for a long time, and it was everything we hoped for. Over 18 days, we met community members (some who'd driven hours to get there), shared conversations about our products, hosted events, and finally saw our gear in the hands of the people who carry it every day.

Why Abbot Kinney?

GQ once called Abbot Kinney the coolest block in America. It's still earning that title. The stretch is home to independent brands, good food, and the kind of foot traffic that actually stops to look. For our first US pop-up store, we wanted to be somewhere the community would naturally find us. This was obviously it.

Our Products, In Person

The ALPAKA pop-up gave visitors the chance to get hands-on with some of our most popular carry solutions, compare materials, explore different setups, and find the system that suited the way they travel, work, and move.

To mark the occasion, we also created two Venice-exclusive gifts with purchase: a locally made LA t-shirt and an exclusive LA tote, available while stocks lasted.

More Than Just a Store

We wanted the space to be more than somewhere to shop. Throughout the pop-up, we hosted a series of community events that brought people together around movement, creativity, and conversation.

Matcha Mornings and Community Runs started the day with tasty drinks, good company, and miles around Venice.

Coffee Club meetups offered a slower midweek reason to stop by.

DJ sessions kept the space buzzing through the weekends.

Tides and Trails: An Evening with Surfrider Foundation

One of the standout evenings was on July 15, where we welcomed Surfrider Foundation CEO Chad Nelsen for a fireside chat about protecting our coastlines, the future of our oceans, and the impact of local action. To top it off, Surfrider Foundation co-founder Glenn Hening made a surprise appearance.

Venice is a beach community, and ocean conservation runs through its identity. Hosting that conversation at our first US location connected the space to something that matters here.

This Is Just the Start

Whether you came through the doors, followed along online, or are only hearing about it now, thank you for being part of our community. This was our first physical presence in the US, and it definitely won't be our last.