Furniture designer and former TV host Angelo Surmelis wants to help make over the downtown L.A. retail scene.

Surmelis, who created his angelo:HOME brand in 2008, last month opened his first boutique store. It’s in the Eastern Columbia building in downtown’s theater district and features a small selection of his 1,000-piece collection of paisley love seats, chenille ottomans and filigree dining chairs.

Surmelis said he was lucky to get to set up his shop in the historic art deco location, which reminded him of his first experience in the city 20 years ago.

“It was the first building I visited when I moved to L.A.,” said Surmelis, who rose to prominence as the host of TLC show “Clean Sweep,” and HGTV’s “24 Hour Design” and “Rate My Space.” “I actually got out of my car to touch it.”

While the area has little foot traffic now, Surmelis said he wanted his store to become a draw. In addition to his designs, the store showcases local independent merchants who supply goods such as chocolates and candles.

“We’re part of a group of people trying to create a retail corridor in downtown L.A.,” he said.

Surmelis has thus far been selling primarily online and through stores within stores at big brick-and-mortar retailers. His plan is to expand to more than 100 stores in stores by June.

But the expansion of his stand-alone store model is still in the future. For now, his boutique will serve as a test lab for his ideas.

“I want to see what we can learn from our customers,” he said. “They will be very honest about what they like.”

– Ryan Faughnder