Support Your Community and Shop Local at These 8 Independent Businesses in Orange County
There is no doubt this quarantine has taken a toll on our economy (and social lives). But now, more than ever, our favorite local shops need our support! It’s time to put your $ where your heart is and “add to cart,” my friends. Here are # hand-selected shops in Orange County that could use some love during these trying times. shop local Orange County
1 | Eco-Friendly Footwear shop local Orange County
Eli Marmar and Martin Kim, co-founders of Freewaters, have designed eco-friendly footwear for all seasons—sandals, shoes, boots and house slippers included. “Sandals continue to be our biggest category, and we offer everything from classic leather styles to adventure sandals and slides,” says Marmar. But footwear is not all they are planning and designing. Every pair sold from the day they started has helped support clean drinking water projects. “To date, we have completed 85 projects in Haiti, Kenya and the Philippines in partnership with our grassroots partners Framewrx, UntilThen and Primer Group,” says Marmar.
Aside from their clean water projects, Freewaters also makes sure their products are sustainable and eco-friendly. “From our beginning, we have insisted on water-based glues and PVC-free rubber,” says Marmar. They also introduced responsibly sourced leather, as leather tanning has generally been a very water- and chemical-intensive process. “We partnered with an award-winning tannery where 100% of the water used is naturally purified by on-site wetlands,” Marmar says.
The duo describe their footwear as being for “global citizens,” meaning people who want to explore new places and connect with different people and cultures. “Being a global citizen is different than being a tourist,” explains Marmar. “It’s about being authentically interested in and aware of how other people live and wanting to be a part of the solution to the struggles they may be facing.”
Freewaters
924 Calle Negocio, Ste E
San Clemente, CA 92673
949.326.4135
2 | Future Festival Wear shop local Orange County
Prepping for a festival isn’t a task—it’s an art form. Luckily, Lido Marina Village has all the shops and services you could ever need to get ready. “Plus, you can really make a day of it at Lido,” Property Marketing Manager Michelle St. Amour adds. “Grab your friends, enjoy shopping at our unique collection of stores and have a bite to eat on the waterfront.”
Michelle’s Recommendations:
-“Alchemy Works Harbor House has an incredible selection of hats to help you keep feeling (and looking) cool in the desert, as well as a revolving roster of brand residencies featuring the dreamiest swimwear, jewelry, dresses and sandals.”
-“The stylists at TReSs Apothecary + Salon create the best looks—from beach waves to pretty braids—plus the salon carries the most amazing products to extend the life of your style!”
-“Cos Bar carries all of your desert beauty and skincare essentials, including the ultimate selection of products to protect your skin, hair and face!”
-“elysewalker knows festival fashion, from Gucci to Golden Goose, to MadeWorn to Monse. Don’t forget to accessorize…a stop by the Vault at elysewalker is a must!”
-“Planet Blue is the perfect place to get festival-ready with their super cute selection of dresses, tanks, skirts, tees, shorts and swimwear.”
-“Comfort is key! Velvet has so many comfy, flowy options that look and feel great.”
Lido Marina Village
3434 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA 92663
3 | Natural Beauty shop local Orange County
“All-natural,” “sulfate-free,” “paragon-free”—what do these terms actually mean? Bare Naked Botanicals’ creator and chief skin food creator, Kimberly Peterson, gives us the rundown on the holistic nature of her products.
Improving health by enhancing what nature has to offer, Peterson says, “It was important to maintain the principles of organic ingredients, safe preservatives and toxin-free ingredients in my range of products.”
Handmade in small batches, you’ll find toxin-free, plant-based and vegan products, meaning they don’t contain animal bi-products, “which I feel is better for the environment and our health,” explains Peterson.
Bare Naked Botanicals sells an array of body and face products starting as low as $14; they also now offer CBD toniques, creams and serums, ranging from $34-$138.
Aside from the products being created from love and passion and working exceptionally well, shopping for plant-based items is healthier for consumers and has a “vastly positive impact on the health of our planet,” Peterson explains.
Bare Naked Botanicals
20371 Lake Forest Dr, Ste A6
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949.264.3938
4 | For Moms and Mini-Me’s
Cleobella is a globally inspired brand that features ethically handmade pieces—each design is a timeless work of art. “We work with global artisans to design one-of-a-kind styles that tell a story and empower its wearer to discover her inner beauty,” says Angela O’Brien, founder and creative director of Cleobella. From darling day dresses to cozy sets for your little one, Cleobella is as precious and authentic as it gets. Here are five of O’Brien’s favorite pieces from her Cleobella collection!
Angela’s Recommendations:
-”The Lillie Dress is my daughter Indigo’s all-time favorite dress. She wants to wear it almost every day! It’s stretchy, comfortable and so easy to throw on.”
-”Match your mini in her Rose Dress by getting the adult Micah Dress for yourself. Matching with mom always puts a smile on your daughter’s face.”
-”The Ikat Bonnie Dress features beautiful handmade details and comes in multiple colors. This easy-fitting dress is great because it can transform into a top as your little one out-grows the dress.”
-”The Riley Harem Pant is perfect for all the little boho boys and girls. With the loose fit and breathable fabric, these adorable pants are perfect for travel and trips to the beach.”
-”This little cotton dress features beautiful embroidery and sweet details. It’s easy to dress up with some sandals or to keep it casual with a sun hat. The Bonita Dress is perfect for family photos!”
Cleobella
16792 14th St
Sunset Beach, CA 92649
714.373.4400
@cleobella
5 | Inner Beauty
ird + Belle in Newport Beach, is a home decor studio with vintage finds to give homes a little character. Discovering many pieces through traveling, founder and designer Erin Neally says these unique finds are for “those who have visited Orange County and want to bottle up what they experienced here in some way and take it home with them”.
Neally says, “Designs are heavily inspired by the casual, coastal CA lifestyle, incorporating a mix of found and new. Many of the textiles used have been unearthed during our travels and given renewed purpose.”
“Shoppers will find a mix of patterns and textures in our constantly rotating pillow line,” says Neally. “While we love older pieces from around the globe, we’ve rounded out our decor with on-trend, purposeful bedding and accent pieces that will compliment a variety of styles.”
“We want to ensure our prices keep us authentic and accessible while preserving quality,” Neally explains. Vintage pillow designs range from $65 to $129, whereas ready to hang, framed textile art pieces can go anywhere from $75 to $200.
“We love custom work and our local clients! Nothing makes us happier than a ‘pillow pull’ curated [that’s] based on a photo brought in. Our storefront location keeps us tied to our neighborhood and grounded within the local culture,” describes Neally.
Bird + Belle
124 Tustin Ave
Newport Beach, CA 92663
6 | Lost in Laguna
Nestled in the idyllic waterfront town of lovely Laguna Beach is a quaint boutique that illustrates the perfect combination of relaxed beach vibes concentrated with grandiose elegance, both in appearance and products.
Laguna Supply—a name born from the clever idea to keep prudent partners off the trail of accumulating credit card statements from a “supply” shop—is the haven of fashion-forward apparel, complementary accessories and all sorts of cute knick knacks.
“We sell clothing, accessories and jewelry that are sourced from brands that range from tried-and-true to up-and-coming,” explains Laura Hart, retail owner and LS pioneer.
Since opening their bright yellow doors in 2008, Laguna Supply has been keeping locals and traveling wayfarers chic for over a decade. “My business partner at the time and I wanted to own a business in the city that we lived in,” states Hart, also a Laguna Beach resident.
Laguna Supply
210 Beach St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.497.8850
3250 E Coast Hwy
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
949.644.6026
7 | R&R-Ready shop local Orange County
There’s nothing more comforting than unwinding after a long day and slipping into your coziest loungewear. Newport Beach boutique Jenni Kayne offers a cozy collection of buttery-soft silk pajamas and ridiculously comfortable shearling Moroccan slippers.
Jenni Kayne’s wardrobe and home decor’s modern and sophisticated essentials feature timeless and rich California-inspired minimalist designs with inviting neutrals that are simple and elegant.
From basic tees to shearling coats and cashmere hoodies, Jenni Kayne nails modern sophistication. You can also expect that quality in delicate linens, candles, alpaca throws and solid oak furniture.
Clothing items range from $65 (for the iconic Cotton Basic Tee) to $1,195 (for the lamb Shearling Coat). Home decor items run from $9-$1,995.
Located in Newport Beach’s Lido Village, Jenni Kayne’s refined coastal influence inspires a relaxing, laid-back vibe synonymous with Southern California style, delivering quality, comfort and simple elegance.
Jenni Kayne
3450 Via Oporto, Ste 103
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.945.2608
8 | Prints and the Paper
When it comes to elegant stationary, Orange County’s Salt Paper Co. offers an unparalleled experience. They offer creative stationery designs and services for weddings, personal use and brands, ranging from invitations to greeting cards, banners, posters and more; Salt Paper Co. is here to tell your story through minimalistic, clean design. “Our mission is to create high-quality, beautiful and functional goods for special occasions as well as daily life,” says Jesica Gloria Kim, owner of Salt Paper Co.
All of Salt Paper Co.’s projects and creations start with some sort of inspiration. “Whether it’s from nature, a photograph, a word or an interaction, they all need to be inspired,” says Kim. “Fun fact: all of our Collection names are infused with Spanish or Latin words—a nod to my Argentinian upbringing.”
A shopper’s experience at Salt Paper Co. is personal and involved. “I think something that makes Salt Paper Co. unique is the approach we take in our design and process. First and foremost, we want our client’s experiences to be filled with love and kindness. We want our clients to know we care for them and their vision, and that they are being taken care of,” says Kim. “We do our best to be mindful of the products we use, and our hope is that our products will inspire, delight and be useful to those who interact with it.”
