ALLURE OF THE ARTISAN
SAN JUAN Shop
Las Catrinas SJC T
he word “mall” in San Juan Capistrano is synonymous with antiques. The Old Barn Antique Mall is the only
mall in town—its every nook and cranny packed with a miscellany of knick-knacks, curios, bric-a-brac or whatever word you have for treasured finds. Of course, local shoppers will find plazas, centers, business parks, promenades and villages but they, like the city in which they call home, are filled with old world charm. Much like the pieces of Depres- sion-era glass, sports memora- bilia, Western collectibles, books, paintings and furniture found in the floor-to-the-rafter filled down- town antique mall, San Juan’s boutiques, galleries and plazas are rich with culture and history. And while nearly 36,000 people call this city home, San Juan maintains its small-town allure—a magic felt through each boutique door you may walk. Birdhouses, Western saddles, fine-art photography, made-by- hand accessories, consignment clothing, folk art, handcrafts and jewelry don window displays throughout San Juan’s historic
downtown district where the work of local, national and inter- national artisans is showcased and celebrated. One-of-a-kind crosses and rosaries, handcrafted around the globe, from Peru to Israel and Italy to Haiti, made from the likes of olive wood, bottle caps, ceramics and oil drums can be found at the Mission Store. A stroll down Los Rios Street,
home to California’s oldest con- tinually inhabited neighborhood, the Los Rios Historic District, offers a peek into the tranquility of days gone by where lush trees and landscape frame the more than 120-year-old cottages hous- ing an eclectic array of shops, cafés, museums and gardens. Guatemalan-embroidered pillow covers and Talavera ceramic kitchenware are among the colorful, handmade worldly items shop owner and more than 30-year resident Luis Santiago has collected at Las Catrinas SJC—a shop exuding the district’s diverse offerings and vibrant atmosphere. Santiago, a Oaxaca native, loves seeing customers discover Los Rios and the items he’s curated from international artisans. “I go straight to the people mak-
ing items when I travel,” Santiago said. “People are so happy to sell their goods. They are so humble.” Unique, inspirational creations
from more than 30 local artists and craftspeople are on display at The Cottage Gallery on Los Rios. A home’s exterior and inte- rior needs are fulfilled at Cottage Home and Garden where metal, fairy and statuary garden fixtures, succulents, gnomes, glass art and tea sets make up the diverse mix goods. At Nest, a trove of clever gifts, from clothing to col- lectibles, awaits its guests. Bou- tique shops like Rags & Stones and Mayan Authentic Imports throughout San Juan offer the finest in women’s fashions and handmade accessories. This city’s handcrafted gifts and art offerings are endless. Located in one of San Juan’s historic public spaces, painter Anne Marie deJony and her hus- band, photographer, Theodore N. deJony have created an intimate space to exhibit their work. A step away is Mission Fine Art Gallery— an artist-run gallery with one mis- sion: to create art celebrating the region’s life, culture and striking natural surroundings.
“We help each other, have showcases, paint here and sell for one another,” said Janine Salz- man of the cooperative made up of 13 award-winning local artists. San Juan is also an antiquing
haven. Studio Five Antiques spe- cializes in rare, hand-picked 18th and 19th century English and French furniture, art and décor. And at Capistrano Consignment, one man’s second-hand items from furniture to jewelry are anoth- er’s treasures. Sales and donations at Laura’s House Resale Store are both given and help support a second life. The shop supports Laura’s House—a nonprofit providing an emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and resources for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
“Shop San Juan” is more than
a retail-therapy slogan. Shopping in San Juan—be it for horse sup- plies at American Horse Products or artisanal, hand-crafted wines and olive oils at We Olive & Wine Bar—helps sustain this vivacious, cultured community of local resi- dents, owners, artisans, equestri- ans, historians and volunteers. —Andrea Papagianis-Camacho
VISITSJC.COM SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS DIRECTORY & VISITOR GUIDE 27
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