Pasadena Originals

SHOP INDEPENDENT CLOTHING BOUTIQUES, VINTAGE GOODS, AND HOMEGROWN BRANDS

South Lake Shopping District

At Burlington Arcade, Mikko Nakatomi has curated one-of-akind kimonos and Japanese goods at Kimono no Kobeya (kimononokobeya.com).

Nearby, Alexandria II Bookstore (alexandria2. com) offers best-selling books, home decor, crystals, stones, and jewelry. Explore The Shops on Lake Avenue, where you’ll find sophisticated woven goods at Ghiaia ( ghiaiacashmere. com) and cute gifts at Sanrio Pasadena (ilovemykittyshop. com). Inside the ivy-covered walls of Pasadena Commons (pasadenacommons. com) is a modern retail and dining oasis, anchored by WilliamsSonoma, where you’ll enjoy pop-up markets and want to snap pics of the telephone booths.

PASADENA’S VINTAGE VAULT

Rooted in history and heritage, the city’s vintage goods attract design aficionados and retro fans. Uncover treasures at the Rose Bowl Flea Market (IG: @ rosebowl_fleamarket), find Victorian and Art Deco furnishings at the Pasadena Antique Center and Annex ( pasadenaantiquecenter. com), bring home treasures from L.A.’s oldest record shop at Canterbury Records (canterburyrecords. com), or shop for ‘80s rock/punk culture at MeowMeowz (IG: @ meowmeowzpasadena)

Old Pasadena Gems

Shopping in Old Pas is a special affair, with shops on every corner and cafés in brick lined alleyways. Discover ornate brooches and offbeat art at Gold Bug ( goldbugpasadena. com), find handcrafted gifts at Homage (homagepasadena. com), take home vintage Chanel at Clothes Heaven (clothesheaven. com), pamper with naturally made soaps and aromatics at Lather (lather.com), and look for One Colorado’s familyfriendly events. For fair trade and consciously organic products and apparel, look no further than Planta (theplanta. com). Sneakerheads will love Kicksneaker (kicksneaker.com) and stop by the unique Old Pasadena Pharmacy for daily needs and curated gifts.

East Washington Shops

In this whimsical locale, Scarlett Patterson and Nico Yaryan of Tactile Mountain (tactilemountain.com) offer a minimalist selection of tinned fish and specialty pantry items next to independent magazines, art books, homewares, and handcrafted children’s toys. Neighboring Octavia’s Bookshelf (octaviasbookshelf.com) is the perfect spot to buy books from BIPOC authors. Find highly curated women’s fashion featuring European sensibility and laidback Californian vibes at Tuck Pasadena (tuckpasadena.com) and stop by Southern Roots (southernrootsgifts.com) for fresh flowers and garden gifts.

How An Independent Retailer Is Honoring Her Heritage

BY RAMONA SAVISS

Erica Gutierrez was inspired to open her retail shop, Mercadito Monarca, in Pasadena’s artsy Playhouse Village neighborhood because she wanted to see a space in her hometown that celebrated her Michoacan, Mexican heritage. “I always felt I needed a space that helped me connect to my culture and provided opportunities for me to learn more about it,” she says. “A place that allows people to reconnect with their heritage and feel the love and pride that goes into celebrating who we are.”

Gutierrez travels to various parts of Mexico to meet artisans and buy directly from them as much as she can, in addition to sourcing from local L.A. artisans and small businesses owned by people of color. Mercadito Monarca showcases the work of more than 60 different Indigenous, Latinx, and Black owned brands and artisans. “I like to select items that are unique and positively portray the culture they represent,” she says. “It’s important to me that the items tell a story and represent the exquisite nature of how they are made and the people who make them.”

As a small business owner herself, Gutierrez says the best way to support independent shops is to intentionally buy gifts and everyday wares from them. “Shopping small sustains diversity and innovation,” she says. And if that’s not feasible? “Offer to volunteer or help spread the word about them to your social and business networks,” she adds.