Our parents traveled to gift shows and purchased some larger brands from distributors, but they also focused on found objects, unique imports and local wares. Once she was old enough, Jeanna worked there for many years. Now she has her own store, Driftwood Home + Lifestyle in Seal Beach, where she also incorporates local influence. “Yes, I buy from some bigger manufacturers, but I'm always looking to support small businesses,” she says. “I have candles in my store that a local mom pours herself. I sell jewelry from a gal who lives in Long Beach.”

I felt that local vibe in stores I stumbled upon on some recent trips. At B Huno in Barcelona, a few doors down from my hotel, clothing designer Barbara Oliveras sells her own line and select other items. I cherish my purchases from her store, in part because they evoke memories and cannot be found anywhere near home. Similarly, in Chicago, I strolled up Michigan Avenue, passing Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton with hardly a glance, turning right on Chestnut Street to find Space 519. In addition to a thoughtful collection of designer clothing, handbags, personal care products and home goods, the gourmet Lunchroom cafe occupies part of the space. It’s special. I hope that tourists to Orange County feel that our own local retail is special, bringing home cherished objects from Corona del Mar or Lido Village, Old Towne Orange or San Juan Capistrano. But those stores can’t subsist on tourism alone; we locals need to frequent them, too. 

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Shopping local also helps me avoid the pitfalls of shopping online. I still have leftovers from my pandemic buying binge. Items would look so promising on the website, deliver a momentary thrill on arrival, but more often than not rot in the back of my closet. More recently, two online purchases arrived, one five sizes too large and the other one size too small. If I had shopped local, those items wouldn’t have even made it to the dressing room. 

A frequent bonus of shopping at small stores is their gift wrap. It spares me from rummaging through my bin for paper, ribbon and tag, but more importantly adds flair to even the simplest gift. My parents’ store was known for its black wrap with colored ribbon and a sprig of eucalyptus, and Jeanna has resurrected that style. “It just makes it feel elevated and like somebody took the time to put some thought into it,” she says.

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Of course, one of the best reasons to shop local is to support the entrepreneurs who live in our community. I didn’t spend much time on the other side of the counter, but I have seen the dedication and creativity it takes to create an enjoyable shopping experience, from product selection to the layout of the store to the scent when you walk in. I am grateful to the people who supported our family by buying kikuyu bags and other treasures at Thee Foxes’ Trot for all those years, but it wasn’t charity. “People appreciate good design, things that aren't necessarily manufactured in bulk, things that are crafted with love,” Jeanna says. 

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You might discover an appealing little shop just around the corner or a few miles up Pacific Coast Highway. It might be a little harder to park than at the mall. The merchandise or the hours might be less predictable. But supporting local retailers is a lot more satisfying than supporting the behemoths. Only by frequenting local establishments can we preserve the character that makes our area distinctive, not only to tourists but to us. So, this summer, ban the big box, ditch the department store, cut the chains and show the locals some love.