Keeping It Local: Holiday Shopping With an Orange County Focus
- Sharon Stello
- 1 hour ago
- 13 min read
Co-op stores, pop-up markets and independent boutiques make it easy to support local makers and businesses this season.
Emilie Lawson learned to make jewelry and started creating her own pieces nearly a decade ago, after receiving a present that ignited a passion for metalsmithing and lost-wax casting.
“I’ve always been drawn to art and creating with my hands,” Lawson said. “There’s something deeply fulfilling about transforming raw materials into something meaningful. I’ve loved wearing rings for as long as I can remember and, when a friend gifted me a handmade ring, it sparked something in me. I fell in love with the idea of wearing something crafted with intention, so much so that I decided to dive in and learn how to make my own pieces.”
For this San Clemente resident, the hobby turned into a business, Great White Buffalo Jewelry, which Lawson sells online and in a store called Open Market OC, a collective featuring small local businesses. Started in 2019 in Laguna Hills, with various locations through the years, Open Market’s current stores can be found at Pacific City in Huntington Beach, the Outlets at San Clemente, Mission Valley Mall in San Diego and a new space that just opened in November at the Brea Mall.
Open Market stores bring together a variety of unique products and gift items by local artists, makers and curators from Orange County, Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Find clothing, candles, jewelry, bags, handmade soaps, moisturizers and body oil, journals, sunglasses, potted plants, beautiful crystals and so much more. Some locations intermix the display of different brands and products throughout the space. A local’s heart swells to see tags that say “Orange County, CA” or “designed in sunny Huntington Beach, CA.”
This is just one option for shoppers looking to support local makers and businesses when buying gifts for friends and family this holiday season. From independent bookstores and boutiques to pop-up maker markets and Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy in Laguna Beach, there are endless ways to shop local.
According to the California governor’s office, small businesses account for more than 99.8% of all businesses in the state, create two-thirds of new jobs and employ nearly half of the state’s workforce. Shopping at locally owned businesses rather than chain stores or online retailers, the governor’s office reports, helps to “strengthen community economies, preserve neighborhood vibrancy and keep dollars circulating close to home.”
Michael Choi, an associate professor of economics at UC Irvine, said while sometimes local shops are more expensive because they don’t have the purchasing power of large chain stores and often face higher operating expenses than online businesses, “shopping at independent, local stores … can create more jobs in the local labor market – especially compared with shopping online – and … can improve the variety and tailoring of products available to consumers, since local shop owners often have better insight into local needs and preferences.”
Supporting these mom-and-pop shops also supports the livelihood and passions of our entrepreneurial neighbors.
For Allison Reynolds, owner of Rose + Ev children’s clothing brand in Huntington Beach, selling at Open Market OC has grown her business so much that she was able to quit her other full-time job.
I’m a mom. I have two kids. So it’s been great to be able to do this and work my own schedule,” Reynolds said. “I was able to take my kids out of day care so right now they’re home with me after school. It’s been amazing. It’s been a godsend.”
PHOTOS 1-3: Some of the jewelry by Great White Buffalo Co. on display at Open Market OC. PHOTOS 4-6: Emilie Lawson works on a piece of jewelry for her brand, Great White Buffalo Co., which is sold at Open Market OC. Photos courtesy of Emilie Lawson
Creative Connections
Lawson agrees that choosing to spend your money at local businesses is important.
“Life moves fast and I think there’s real value in slowing down – especially when it comes to how we consume,” she said. “There’s something wholesome about choosing to buy fewer things, but with more intention. When you support a maker, you’re investing in craftsmanship, care and the human hands behind the piece – rather than mass-produced items made without connection.”
When it comes to Lawson’s one-of-a-kind rings, cuffs and other jewelry, nature is her biggest muse: the shapes, textures, landscapes and “imperfect beauty of the natural world.” She’s drawn to stones that feel connected to the earth – especially blues and greens like turquoise, all sourced from trusted lapidary artists, independent cutters and sellers who share her same commitment to quality and responsible sourcing.
“My style has evolved over the years,” Lawson said. “It began with a Southwestern, Native American-inspired influence, but has since grown into something more raw, organic and modern. Great White Buffalo Jewelry now focuses on chunky solid metals, natural textures, sculptural forms and the interplay of mixed metals. I love incorporating stones and creating pieces that feel lived-in, soulful and a little bold – jewelry with presence.”
Lawson said she loves “creating jewelry that helps people express who they are and how they want to show up in the world.”
The same could be said about children’s clothing designed and curated by Reynolds. She works with a designer to create her vision for some pieces – about 40% of the clothing she sells. This part of her company is growing, but she also supplements with cute apparel and accessories sourced from other small businesses.
Reynolds has a background in fashion, working for 10 years in Gap’s corporate office in buying and inventory management. She left Gap in San Francisco to move with her husband to Huntington Beach, where they started a family. She began working for her brother’s machine shop business, doing accounting and human resources, but her creative and entrepreneurial side felt neglected. “I was seeing on Facebook that women were starting a lot of boutiques and selling online, so I thought, ‘Let me try this,’ ” she recalled.
PHOTOS 1-2: Children's clothing designed by Allison Reynolds, owner of Rose + Ev, on display at Open Market OC store. PHOTO 3-6: Some of the children's clothing from other brands that supplement designs by Allison Reynolds, owner of Rose + Ev. Photos courtesy of Rose + Ev
She figured out how to start a business through internet research and began selling children’s apparel as her side gig, both online and going to pop-up markets and vendor shows on weekends. Then, she was accepted at Open Market OC in spring 2024 and her business took off. There, Reynolds pays for space, “so it’s basically like paying rent,” but for less money than an entire storefront would cost, she said.
“I love that it’s all small businesses, unique brands (and) supporting local,” Reynolds said. “The way they display everything is just really beautiful. And it’s well run. It’s run by two local entrepreneurs and they’re very good to work with. They’re very fair and supportive of small business. It’s been a great experience.”
For her own label, Reynolds works with print designers to choose and sometimes tweak a print, then she conceptualizes what will be made with it. “For example, I choose a print to go on a garment of my choice and then decide what details it will have, color of trims, fabric selection, etc. Then I have it manufactured,” she explained.
Reynolds often works with bamboo fabric. “It’s really soft, it’s really luxurious, it’s eco-friendly, it’s breathable (and) it’s able to be manufactured in pretty much any print,” she said.
Baby sleepers and bamboo pajamas have been big sellers as well as “twirl dresses” for girls. Boys clothing with edgy designs like lightning bolts and skater prints do well at Open Market OC’s Pacific City location.
Handcrafted soap by PinkBlossom Soap Co. of Anaheim, which is sold at Open Market OC. Photo courtesy of PinkBlossom Soap Co.
The Pacific City store also sells artisanal soap and body oil by Pink Blossom Soap Co., founded four years ago in Anaheim. Heavenly scents range from Sweet Orange Hibiscus Soap to Lavender Sage Body Oil. These products are made in small batches with high-quality, natural ingredients and no sulfates, phthalates, palm oil or other harsh chemicals.
“I started PinkBlossom Soap Co. because my family has sensitive skin and commercial soaps were causing dryness and irritation,” said PinkBlossom owner Kanchan Bhavsar. “That led me to explore natural and clean alternatives. I began making soap at home using plant oils, rich butters and essential oils, and the improvement in my family’s skin was immediate. Seeing that transformation inspired me to create products that offer the same gentle, nourishing and chemical-free experience for others.”
Bhavsar makes her soap using the cold process method, a traditional technique “where oils and butters are blended with a natural alkali to create soap through a process called saponification,” she said. “This allows the beneficial properties of the oils to remain intact. It also lets me incorporate natural clays, botanicals and essential oils, resulting in long-lasting, luxurious bars that are gentle and nourishing.”
Bhavsar sells products online, at seasonal markets and has offered her soaps at Open Market OC since May 2024.
“Supporting small businesses helps sustain craftsmanship, creativity and local entrepreneurship,” she said. “When customers choose to shop from makers like me, they’re investing in products created with care, intention and integrity – rather than mass-produced items. Every purchase directly supports a dream, a family and a craft.”
Bluebird Mercantile carries many pieces by local makers in Laguna Beach. Photos courtesy of Lucia Corina Marinescu
A Merry Mercantile
In Laguna Beach, Bluebird Mercantile is a store with a similar concept: featuring the work of locals. Opened in December 2023 by Amii Schenk – who was inspired by the co-op stores that she and friends would visit in Palm Springs – set up her shop with pieces by mostly Laguna Beach makers.
“We live in an art community and there are so many good artists here,” Schenk said. “There’s more than I can fit in my store …. I just love tapping into the local market. There’s just so much untapped beauty and resources around here. There’s no need to go further afield.”
A handful of locals pay rent for space in the store and Schenk takes a tiny percentage of sales to cover credit card fees as well as bags and tissue paper.
Some of the store’s local brands include A Friend Made, which creates vintage polo shirts reworked with ruffles and other embellishments, Levi’s with fabric inserts, Japanese denim and lots of vintage and found clothing items from Japan. “It’s a husband-and-wife (team),” Schenk said. “The husband, Matthew (Corin), is the one that sews and Amy is the businesswoman.”
An entire wall is dedicated to the mostly women’s vintage clothing curated by Rachiel Macalistaire. Another section is filled by John Riley’s Super Ready brand with vintage Levi’s and military clothing that he reworks into more modern, wearable silhouettes, as well as his own line of graphic T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Ally Cook of Lucky Cowboy makes custom fitted hats of all kinds with a wide range of trinkets for embellishment, plus some ready-to-wear pieces. And Deborah Massar of Lou Lou Laguna offers cool sweats, bomber jackets and other items. “Most everything says Laguna on it and it’s done in a really stylish, fun way that actually even Laguna people want to buy it,” Schenk said of Massar’s items.
The store also carries sweats by Perfect White Tee of LA and some small modern pieces from Vertigo, the home and decor store that previously filled the space before the owners closed up shop to move.
The rest of the space is filled with pieces curated by Schenk from Laguna (Double M pottery by Mary McDonald) and beyond. Schenk was a ceramic artist, so she tends to stock a lot of pottery, and the shop is known for its great greeting card selection. The store also carries a lot of kitchenware, coffee table books, jewelry, denim and clothing, and has a spiritual section with high-end candles, incense, journals and introspective books.
“I like to pick up stuff on my travels,” Schenk said. “I get these leather pouches from France, I get candles from Morocco, earthenware and baskets from Morocco …. I’ve taken things back from Portugal. I just put them in the store because I want to share them with people.”
The OC Mix at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa features locally owned businesses. Photo courtesy of Continental Realty
In the Mix
Another center for local businesses is The OC Mix at South Coast Collection, a luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa. At nearly 15,000 square feet, The OC Mix features boutiques, services like event and floral design, a barbershop, salon and skincare medspa, and eateries – so those shopping for gifts can stop for a quick bite. Opened in 2009, The OC Mix features individual store spaces for each business rather than local products displayed in the same room like Open Market OC.
“We believe customers reserve a special place in their hearts for locally rooted, owner-operated businesses, which are well represented throughout The OC Mix,” said Sherri Saldana, general manager of SOCO and The OC Mix. “In most instances, shoppers work directly with the owners of the shop or restaurant, and find comfort knowing they are supporting local entrepreneurs. Locally-owned shops provide differentiation from other shopping centers given their uniqueness.”
Mostly OC-based businesses fill The OC Mix, including Blue Skies, a hat boutique that specializes in UPF 50 sun protective hats for men and women; Local Fare, which offers unique gifts and home decor such as local brands of soaps, candles and glassware; Kid’s Corner, selling baby and toddler toys, accessories and apparel; Sisu, with outdoor gear, apparel, hiking boots, bags and lifestyle items; Jessie and Sky, which offers unique jewelry, bags, hair clips, sunglasses and keychains; and Balboa Gold, a jewelry shop with a charm bar for customization.
Savannah Kirk, owner of Balboa Gold, started making jewelry during the pandemic as a creative outlet. She started making pieces for friends, which led to pop-up markets and then a full-fledged business with a space in The OC Mix since summer 2023. The brand features dainty, colorful and beach-inspired styles and focuses on gold-filled jewelry, which is hypoallergenic, durable and water-friendly.
“I used to hand-make many of our dainty essentials, but as the brand has grown, I now focus on curating a beautiful collection from trusted small businesses and established makers,” Kirk said. “Every piece – from simple chains to unique charms – is sourced intentionally to fit our aesthetic and meet our quality standards.”
Kirk, a Costa Mesa resident, said she loves being part of a space where other small makers and brands can grow side by side.
“The OC Mix has the exact vibe I wanted – creative, boutique and community-driven,” she said. “Customers here appreciate small-batch, thoughtfully curated pieces, and the space itself feels warm, inviting and intentional. It was the perfect environment to bring our jewelry store to life.”
By The Book
Independent bookstores are another great way to shop local, particularly if you buy a book by an Orange County author at one of these stores.
At Laguna Beach Books, consider “Call of the Camino,” which came out in October, by bestselling Laguna Beach author Suzanne Redfearn. It’s a moving story about the transformative journey of two women traveling through Spain on the road to self-discovery, touching on themes of love, loss, longing and belonging. Or grab a copy of “Jill is Not Happy” by another bestselling Laguna Beach writer, Kaira Rouda. Her latest novel, which came out earlier this year, follows a married couple’s ill-fated road trip and their dark secrets that become resurrected along the way.
Head to Lido Village Books in Newport Beach for journalist Greer Wylder’s book, “Born in OC: The Artists, Entrepreneurs, and Visionaries of Orange County, California,” which features 50 remarkable industry leaders and other individuals who represent the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of OC. The Untold Story bookstore in Anaheim, which is dedicated to the writings of minority authors – especially those from the OC area.
“Local professor Lynnette Beers has an amazing young adult book titled ‘Uncharted Waters,’ ” recommended Lizzette Barrios-Gracían, owner of The Untold Story. “Nidzara Pecenkovic, also a local professor and children’s author, has a beautiful illustrated children’s book titled ‘Bus Ride to Nana’s and Dido’s House.’ Carla Fountain’s memoir, ‘Bicycle Odyssey,’ is inspirational. The book is about her adventure traveling her bike around the world, which she is about to do again.
“In Spanish, we have Paola Gutiérrez, whose poetry book ‘La Niña de Mis Ojos’ was just awarded an honorable mention in the International Latino Book Awards. Another International Latino Book Awards author is Anita Corro, whose book, ‘La Inocencia en la Mentira,’ won her the award. (And) local former journalist and author, Maria Luisa Arredondo, just published ‘La Vida Después del Cruce.’ ”
Among the other local new and used indie bookstores are Beach Town Books in San Clemente, Arvida Book Co. in Tustin and Half Off Books in Fullerton.
“Local small businesses not only help the local economy, but also enhance the lives of the locals,” Lizzette Barrios-Gracían said. “Independent bookstores become hubs for people who love not only literature, but also the arts and culture. Our tiny bookstore is a gathering place for book clubs, we provide a space for students to study, and we even have a free pantry. Independent bookstores bring more than just books; they form a community.”
Maker Markets
Around this time of year, many shopping centers present pop-up markets filled with the wares of local makers and artisans. A few of those are coming up soon.
Irvine Co. Retail Properties partners with two local artisan markets, Dreamers Market and Modern Makers Mart, to bring recurring markets to its centers. The vendors offer a wide range of items from apparel to candles, apothecary items, children’s toys and crafts, pre-packaged baked goods and more.
On Dec. 13, Dreamers Market will be at Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach with more than 40 local makers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Among the vendors, find Everlasting Permanent Jewelry with custom welded bracelets and fine-chain jewelry; The Traveling Bookshop, a mobile indie bookstore with titles for all ages; Coastal Hat Bar, offering personalized hats, add-on trims and embellishments; and Little Sprouts Co., for handcrafted children’s toys, crafts and sensory kits. Westcliff Plaza tenant Thee Candle Lab & Luxury Perfume Bar will participate with seasonal retail plus booking for custom candle/perfume experiences. To add some festive fun, shoppers can take photos with Santa and visit with live reindeer, while the market also features a complimentary kids craft station, face painting and more.
Modern Makers Mart comes to Woodbury Town Center in Irvine on Dec. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with at least 35 local makers each day. Some of the vendors include Sage & Stone Co., with hand-poured candles, room sprays and seasonal scents; Juniper & Elm Apothecary, which makes small-batch body, bath and wellness items; Tiny Trails Toys, offering eco-friendly children’s toys and creative play kits; OC Clay Collective, known for its handmade ceramics like mugs, vases and holiday ornaments; and Harvest Lane Provisions, with pre-packaged artisanal jams, honey and baked goods. Live reindeer will also be on site at this market on Dec. 14 only.
And, of course, Winter Fantasy at Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach provides a festive event to shop for locally made art and get in the spirit of the season. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., peruse pieces by more than 180 local artists, including handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics and more. The festival also features live music and marionette shows, free art classes and artist demonstrations, visits with Santa, local food and drink favorites, and a community tree lighting.
With so many options to shop locally, it’s easy to support Orange County makers and businesses this season while surprising friends and loved ones with unique presents that also help the local economy thrive. Consider it a bonus holiday gift to the community.
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