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Business The Feel-Good Store by Molly Brooks


uvalu is an establishment that aims to please all the senses of their cus- tomers. When you walk through the


doors of this home goods retailer, the first thing you notice is the uniquely beautiful decor. You smell the essence of a salty ocean breeze, and hear the mellow music setting the store’s costal vibe. The pillows are soft to the touch and there are candles so sweet you can almost taste them. “We try to achieve a comfortable coastal


environment, it’s a feel-good store,” said Frances Alonso, San Clemente Tuvalu store manager. “We pay attention to what our cus- tomers want. We try to inspire them and help make their home what they imagine it to be.” This new home shop in San Clemente is


a second edition to the original and highly successful location in Laguna Beach. Laurie Alter started the business in 2003 when she and her family moved back to California after eight years in Idaho. The Laguna Tuvalu


Manager Frances with owner Laurie Alter.


started as a vision to showcase unique furniture and accessories, but it quickly became much more than that. It is not only a home goods retailer, but it also houses a full scale interior design department. Tu- valu will help with small projects, from accessorizing a room or two, to the large scale remodeling of a whole house. For a nominal fee, a design ex- pert will come to your home, take measurements and pictures and talk with you about your vision. Alonso explains that Tuvalu is all


Driftwood signs for all of San Clemente’s beaches.


about inspiration. The store’s buyers are always on the look- out for new


Happy Holidays! FROM COmPlETE NurSEry & laNDSCaPING


Fresh Cut Douglas & Noble Christmas Trees


• Poinsettias • Wreaths


• Interior Plants


• Pottery • Garland


• Fountains • Exterior Plants • Bird Baths 492-3526 201 South Ola Vista, San Clemente 32 SANCLEMENTEJOURNAL


Tuvalu T


Beautiful unique home decor for the beach lifestyle.


trends and unique color pallets. They get three new shipments of goods a week. Tuvalu re- arranges and places different items on the shelves every single day. Every time you walk into the shop, you’re guaranteed to find some- thing new. Opening a second store in San Clemente


was a natural step for Alter and Tuvalu. Being that Alter is the daughter-in-law of Hobie Alter, she felt right at home on the south corner of Avenida Del Mar and El Camino Real. San Clemente is close to the heart of the Alter fam- ily and they felt the community is very wel- coming to family-owned businesses. The Laguna Beach location tends to attract


more tourists and one-time buyers. The San Clemente location, however, is looking to break that mold and cater more to local residents and community members. The first way they are doing this is by customizing items in the store. They have different driftwood signs for every San Clemente beach and paintings done by local artists. Tuvalu is all about supporting other locally-and family-owned businesses. They gather merchandise from local artisans and all of their upholstery is done in the United States, some even made in Irvine. Unlike some other boutiques or small busi- nesses, Tuvalu works with any kind of budget.


San Clemente is home to both young growing families buying and decorating their first homes and to long-established residents look- ing for an upgraded redesign. Knowing this, the shop and design team make an effort to stock the shelves with items of every price point, and stand behind the quality of the goods whether $5 or $500. Heading into November, San Clemente


Tuvalu is gearing up for its first holiday season. On November 4th, the staff closes down the store to Christma-fy its decor. Opening back up the next day, Tuvalu looks like the tropical holiday getaway anyone would dream of. The store is divided into sections, each with a Christmas tree highlighting its theme. In the past they’ve had traditional holiday trees, drift- wood trees, and a tree covered by everything mermaid. “We get really excited for our Christmas re-


veal, it’s kept under wraps until the actual day we close down and decorate,” said Alonso. “Even the staff doesn’t know what will happen, but in a way it’s a good thing. It makes every- one - especially me - very excited for the season, and when a customer comes in we’re pumped and want to help them find the best gifts.” Tuvalu is located at 100 S El Camino Real, (top of Ave Del Mar), (949)542-8242.


Shore Gardens


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