MJ’s Guide to Local Online Shopping
by Claudia Schou & Megan Waldrep
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Shopping – Remotely
I
n these tough times, it’s important to support local businesses while also practicing social distancing. To that end, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit California and changed life as we know it, the Montecito Journal changed its local events listing page to a Grab & Go section featuring local restaurants that remain open for takeout and delivery. But many other types of local businesses also offer online shopping in addition to their brick-and-mortar locations, and this flexibility will hopefully keep our local stores open and their employees working. With that in mind, we now offer the following guide to local businesses that remain open for both online ordering and pick-up as well as delivery services for local customers.
J. McLaughlin “I had somebody come in to return an online order and she looked around and said, ‘I just want to stay here and shop, it’s so happy,’” store manager of J. McLaughlin Diana Romero said. The woman called her soon after to book an appointment, one of the ways J. McLaughlin has pivoted during stay-at-home orders. For the time being, business is conducted through phone or FaceTime appointments, emails, and virtual sip & shops which donate a percentage of sales in that time period to a local charity. They also offer curbside pick-up, no contact home delivery and complimentary shipping and gift wrapping. “I just delivered something to Casa Dorinda through their security guards,” Diana said. It was a shock for Romero when J.
McLaughlin, a clothing and accessories retailer of 150 boutiques, decided to close its doors. Client outreach was the initial answer, using the company’s intricate database to search local customers and find out their specific interests. “I used that to promote the sale we’re having right now, which is for forty percent off for some of our spring collection,” Diana said. She’s also posting new arrivals to Instagram as much as possible. Aside from browsing online, Diana places stacks of the April and May catalog outside her door and as you flip through the pages, you may recognize the backdrop. Both catalogs were shot in Santa Barbara and Montecito, the first time the Brooklyn, New Yorkbased company styled a photoshoot out West. The catalog was shot by part-time Montecitan Matt Albiani
J. McLaughlin is known for their “happy collections,” Montecito store manager Diana Romero said.
Getting Through This, Together.
The April and May J. McLaughlin catalog was shot in Santa Barbara and Montecito by part-time Montecitan, photographer Matt Albiani
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“My relationship with American Riviera Bank was key to getting a PPP loan. Finally, I’ll be able to sleep for the first time in a month. Now my focus is restoring all my employees’ jobs.” — Carlos Luna, Owner at Los Agaves, right, with brother and co-owner Christian
42 MONTECITO JOURNAL
“Everything that used to be a sin is now a disease.” – Bill Maher
AmericanRivieraBank.com 805.965.5942 Santa Barbara • Montecito • Goleta San Luis Obispo • Paso Robles
30 April – 7 May 2020
