As East Bay residents, we are surrounded by amazing retail choices. Hop on BART and head to San Francisco where the shops surrounding Union Square and the boutiques along Union and Chestnut Streets entice with every imaginable offering. Or make the short drive to neighboring Walnut Creek for a day of retail therapy at the newly refurbished Broadway Plaza. Or…find nearly everything you need or desire locally where the array of choices might surprise you. If you automatically head out of town, take a minute to consider the local options. Here are some of the favorite spots of my retail savvy team. I’m a regular at all of them, and have a particular affinity for Orchard Nursery and their beautiful spring flowers, and LUCK, a fun new clothing boutique that carries many of my favorite brands.
Two stores I’m so grateful to have in Lafayette are Whimsy and Learning Express Toys. These stores always save me time when looking for last minute, unique baby/kid gifts. My three kids love these stores too! Tip: Learning Express Toys provides on-the-spot gift wrapping. Emily Forschler
Boswells is the place for party decorations; I especially love the giant helium balloons in every shape. The Lazy K at Orchard Nursery has so many wonderful home and gift items in a small super organized space. Ann Marie Quinn
I love Indigo and Poppy for home furnishings, design inspiration, and gifts on the go. All of the people that work there are fantastic and so helpful! Lauren Woolsey
I love to shop at Bel and Bunna’s Books for gifts for all the little ones in my life. These days, children’s bookstores are a rare and treasured find and we are fortunate to have one in our community! Jennifer Ries
Blue Mercury has great skin care and is my favorite place to get grab a quick gift for a friend or to treat myself to a little perk. Who could not love their sunscreen selection? Jill Montaquilla
Diablo Foods carries the cutest Lamorinda inspired gifts: mugs, tea towels, cutting boards, cocktail napkins, and more. I wake up every morning and drink a cup of coffee from my ‘Moraga Mug’ from Diablo Foods. Allison O’Brien
Hi, I adore Farmyard Darlings for their fun and rustic decor and custom barn-wood projects. They have contributed so many items to our staging inventory and clients‘ homes over the years too. I have many of their items in my own home. Sarah Kellar
I’ll love the quality and selection at Venture Goods, a store to which I have an emotional tie; the owners are my neighbors and I witnessed first hand this special store coming to fruition. Wendy Means
The Friends Corner Bookshop located at the back of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center is a local gem. Find every genre amongst the organized shelves. Most of the gently used (and sometimes brand new) books are priced at only $2. Todd Green
I find everything I need for fix-it and garden projects at Ace Hardware Lafayette. The staff is so knowledgeable and helpful, and they always have exactly what I need, in addition to things I never knew I needed but now can’t live without. Kelly Wood