Nature seems to have a simple formula in the development of boho neighborhoods. Art galleries move into inexpensive storefronts. When the area becomes established as a gallery district, boutiques and cafes follow. Rents increase, etc, etc. It happened in SoHo, and it happened on Echo Park Avenue, except in the latter big money never moved in, and bohos haven't moved out. The shops that moved into former gallery spaces on EP Ave. include two vintage boutiques, one of which (Flounce) is the nerve center of the Echo Park Time Bank; a salon (Lucas) that exhibits art; a cafe (Chango) that exhibits art.

Where there is an open spirit, it doesn't have to be either/or. Last night, the spirit of the arts circled back to Echo Park Avenue with a literary reading in one of the boutiques. Erin Tavin, proprietor of Tavin, which sells -- or displays -- new and vintage clothing and other items of interest, began her reading series "Little Birds" with readings by herself, novelist and ghost autobiographer Sarah Tomlinson, and lifestyle writer Julia Chaplin.

The narrow space, where the shop Show Pony used to be, was packed nearly to the ceiling, with guests squeezed onto a tiny spiral staircase and every other space with a possible view to the music stand that served as a podium. Tavin began on a witty note, reading vignettes that she had written on oversized clothing tags. Tomlinson read from an enormously promising novel in progress. Chaplin read from a published lifestyle photo book, Gypset, which tied the reading to our surroundings in a nice way.

Next frontier: Poetry readings at the gas station, with bohos crowded around the pumps?