Christmas display at the Coronado History and Art Museum Store
This Christmas season, you don’t needed to cross the bridge to do your holiday shopping — you can do it all right on the island. Doing so will save time, gas and the frustration of hustling your way through hordes of other shoppers. You’ll also be supporting your neighbors and keeping Coronado’s business community vital.
Below are some of the shops in Coronado that are locally owned. Some shops – Kippy’s, MJ Brown, Muhl Jewelry and Bamboo Centers for Well Being are owned by people whose families have lived in Coronado for generations. Many local boutiques sell products made or designed by locally owned companies, such as Orange & Park or URT, as well as objects crafted by local artisans.
Kippy’s (1114 Orange Avenue) has been a Coronado landmark for over 60 years. In recent years it’s become known for its handcrafted, locally produced leather jackets, purses and belts. They also carry a wide assortment of clothing to complement their leather goods.
Like Kippy’s, MJ Brown (1001 Orange Avenue) has been a fixture in the business district for decades. It has long been known for offering quality women’s apparel at a reasonable price, selling virtually everything a woman might need, from dresses to leggings and shoes to hats.
Muhl Jewelry (1130 Orange Avenue) dates back to the early 20th Century when a watchmaker setup shop there. Since the 1950’s, it has been owned by the same local family. Two years ago, Renae Wease took over the family business and began creating her own one of a kind pieces. The styles are traditional, but refashioned to fit contemporary taste.
Sometimes you can find Christmas offerings in an unexpected place. Coronado Hardware Glass and Paint (140 Orange Avenue) is an example; amidst the plungers and pipes, nails and hammers, you can find ornaments and lights for your tree, a wreath for your door, or sparkle scarves and car charms to stuff into stockings. They also have candles, potted poinsettias and much more for the season.
Coronado Historical Association’s Museum of History and Art Store (1100 Orange Avenue) has also the Christmas spirit with a wide range of goodies – children’s books, candles, cards, tea towels and music boxes. In honor of Coronado’s long association with the Navy, many of the gifts and ornaments have nautical themes. The Museum store is also selling Coronado MainStreet’s 2015 Calendar. Proceeds go to support the organization’s efforts to maintain the median and other efforts to keep Coronado’s business district looking beautiful.
With our near-perfect weather, locals love to play outdoors. There are a number of places to find something for your favorite sport aficionado.
Coronado’s boarding source, Emerald City (1118 Orange Avenue), has everything on the wish list of the surfer or skateboarder in your life – headgear, watches, shirts, boards, sunglasses and foot wear. Urt and Orange and Park are among the cool brands it carries.
For cyclists, check out Hollands (977 Orange Avenue), where you can find a number of bicycle brands, including Electra, Specialized and Phat. It also carries types of cycling paraphernalia, including helmets, shorts, bells and locks.
Golfers and tennis players can find gift items locally as well. Check out the pro shops at the Coronado Tennis Center and Coronado Golf Course. Both are on Glorietta Boulevard.
For people looking to get (or stay) fit, stop by Coronado Fitness Club (875 Orange Avenue), Gym in Coronado (1033 B Avenue), Coronado Yoga and Wellness Center (801 Orange, Suite 202) or Coronado Hot Yoga (1222 First Street, Suite 3) for a gift card or to take advantage of any holiday specials. The Coronado Fitness Club is offering a 10% personal training discount this month. Bamboo Centers for Well Being (1016 C Avenue) offers are a range of services – yoga, Pilates, massage, acupuncture – to keep you healthy, physically and spiritually. It also sells fair trade products from around the world.
Despite the digital revolution launched by e-readers, many people still love to read the old-fashioned way. Bay Books (1029 Orange Avenue) has all of the current bestsellers, plus books by local authors for all ages. The staff can also special order harder-to-find titles by request. Not sure what your recipient might enjoy? The knowledgeable staff can also suggest a title and introduce you to a new book or author.
Speaking of books, the Hotel del Coronado has a new one for the season: Hotel del Coronado Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Featuring 160 pages of vintage photographs and art, the book also includes menus, guest activity brochures from past eras, and authentic Victorian Greeting cards. It is available at the Del’s Signature Shop as well as Established 1888.
While you’re at the Del, spend some time visiting some of their other 17 unique shops. Babcock and Story Emporium has an array of gift ideas from candles to table settings to cards and ornaments. There are unique toys for kids of all ages at The Blue Octopus, while Brady’s has been haberdasher to Coronado for decades, offering contemporary apparel for men. Kate’s features sophisticated fashion-forward apparel and accessories for women.
Wreaths and candles at Root 75
Because Coronado is a resort town, there is a bounty of wonderful specialty shops. Two are especially unique in the products they offer. Seaside Papery (1162 Orange Avenue) has a range of artistic cards, gift tags and wrapping paper. And not only are the shop owners local, but many of the products they sell are as well: Handcrafted jewelry by Paisley; post cards, stationary and journals by Orange & Park. Coronado Local Mrs. Lilien’s Cocktail Swatch Book, as well as her sequel, the Desert Cocktail Swatch Book, are also available. Seaside Papery also offer a gift-wrapping service.
Root75 (845 Orange Avenue) is a flower shop that offers much more. Porcelain pots and figurines, vintage Coronado placemats and Orange & Park prints are just the beginning. For the holidays they’ve added fun quirky decorations – pompon garlands, gnome ornaments and foxy fellows for your tree.
If you’re shopping for a cook or foodie, Taste of Oils (954 Orange Avenue) should definitely be a stop on your shopping excursion. There you’ll find a fine selection of gourmet oils and vinegars from around the world. They also feature local honey and Scratch Jams made by Coronado resident Kathryn Jennings.
There are treasures to be found by wandering off the main shopping district, as well, such as Austin Gallery, ZaZen and Cotier Coastal Living.
The Austin Gallery (1014 C Avenue) is an artist’s co-op featuring local artists: potter Paul Nasri, textile artist Sandy McAnallen, photographer Pete Homes and glass blower Drew Herbert, needle artist Valerie Hebert and painter Joann Siegfried. Linda Austin, who founded and manages the co-op, crafts unique jewelry settings out of wire, crystals and stones.
While Cotier (1053 B Avenue) means coastal in French, the shop has a wide range of styles and products suitable for just about any style home – craftsman, Victorian, contemporary, even a Billy Box. They feature Lexington and Noir furniture, Vietri china and Legacy linens.
ZaZen (1110 First Street) offers women’s apparel including shoes and jewelry from all over the world. Each piece is smart, sophisticated and unique.
Holiday decor at Cotier Coastal Living
While you’re off the beaten path, stop by the Animal Care Facility. It currently has cats ranging in age from 2 ½ months and 10 years and older looking for a family to join. All adoptees have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested to make sure they are healthy and disease free. To cover the costs, there is a minimal fee and a screening process.
For a new pet or one that been part of the family for years stop by Wag and Tails (945 Orange Avenue). It features premium brands of food for cats and dogs, along with toys, leashes and pet fashions.
Local spas and salons – including Coronado Bliss, Sanctuary, Roses or La Petite Comfort – offer gifts and gift packages. They offer a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of the season, and will surely be appreciated by your recipient. (Or, take advantage of them for yourself!)
Shopping for a patron of the arts or a movie buff? Village Theatre and Lambs Players Theatre both offer gift certificates, too.
Other local shops to check out include Miss Match (a women’s clothing boutique), Art for Wildlife and Mascot Boutique at the Ferry Landing. Along the Orange Avenue, you’ll also find Blue Jeans and Bikinis (a women’s clothing boutique), Island Surf (xxx), Gold and Gifts (xxx), The Galleria (xxx), Wine a Bit (xxx) and Celtic Corner Scottish Treasures (xxx).
Finally, many local businesses also support Coronado Schools through the Coronado Schools Foundation Locals Card program— see the list of businesses that offer discounts to Locals Card holders here. Consider donating to CSF to get your locals card so that you can enjoy the discounts while supporting Coronado’s schools.
In one respect shopping in the village is not unlike shopping at a mall, if you don’t find what you need in one shop, just drop into the shop next door or a few doors down, where you may find exactly what you’re seeking. So this Christmas, get out and explore what Coronado merchants have to offer.
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Gloria Tierney
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
