Top 6 Spots for Post-Holiday Shopping in Laguna Beach

Scoring some excellent after-holiday sales is one of the best ways to end the month-long celebration. Laguna Beach has some of the best stores to grab some one-of-a-kind deals. You could easily spend the day wandering through the dozens of stores, most of which are located in the downtown district. The next time you’re in the area, make sure you stop at one of these six stores and get your post-holiday shopping on.

Fawn Memories

Image via Flickr by @starboardcre

384 Forest Ave. #7

In business since 1974, Fawn Memories has just about any type of California-themed post-holiday gifts for every member of your family. It carries some of the hottest and most popular brands, making it the perfect place to shop. Whether you’re looking to score some deals on souvenirs that mention Laguna Beach for your siblings or want to add to your sweatshirt collection of California Republic apparel, this store has you covered.

Even if you found an item in the store and decided once you got home that you couldn’t live without it, simply give the store a call and describe the item. The helpful employees will help locate your product and ship it off to you. If you’re in the area for the holidays, the store can even delay shipping your purchase so it will arrive back at your home when you do.

Merrilee’s Swimwear

790 S. Coast Hwy.

A mother-daughter business that opened its doors more than 40 years ago, Merrilee’s Swimwear brings U.S.-made swimwear to Southern California. Merrilee Madrigal opened the company’s first shop in 1977, and together with her daughter Felicia, they operate another store in Huntington Beach, which opened in 1986. Both stores carry the company’s swimwear collection along with apparel and other types of home goods.

Their swimwear collection consists of approximately 20 tops and bottoms as well as another half-dozen one-piece designs. Most feature Moroccan prints and Middle Eastern overlays and are lined with solid color fabrics, allowing them to be reversible. Approximately 20,000 swimsuits are handmade each year by three to 15 sewing operators. Many of the employees have been with the company for more than 20 years. The store ensures that each customer knows they can find a huge selection of original and fashion-forward designs at either location.

Rock Martin Jewelry

268 Forest Ave.

Rock Martin began his jewelry career in high school more than 50 years ago when he took a course on custom jewelry design and became hooked. He served his country in the Navy and settled with his family in Laguna Beach. He began selling his custom jewelry at Laguna Craft Guild shows, often selling out of all his jewelry. He took his success at these shows and decided to open a brick-and-mortar store in the Laguna Beach Village Faire Plaza in 1969. Just three years later he opened the current location in the heart of the downtown shopping district.

Rock Martin retired in 2005, but his daughter Heather Martin McFadden and son-in-law Michael McFadden took over Rock Martin Jewelry upon his retirement. Stop in to check out the variety of pieces, including rings, bracelets, and earrings. You could also have the store design a custom-made piece. If you need additional services, the shop also offers jewelry and watch repair, pearl stringing, and jewelry appraisal.

Ryan’s Art for the Soul

272 Forest Ave.

The Ryan behind Ryan’s Art for the Soul began working for Art for the Soul and had an immediate connection to the store. After working there for six years, he jumped on an opportunity to take some ownership of the store. Unfortunately, in January 2019 he was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident not far from the shop. His parents stepped up and decided to keep the store open after his passing, and they’ve infused the same amount of love and energy Ryan brought to it.

From the minute you stand in front of Ryan’s Art for the Soul, you know that you’re at a unique store. Its purple doors greet all who enter, and once you enter, you’re immersed in a world full of wonderful trinkets and must-haves. Bright and colorful quotes adorn the walls and the furniture of this eclectic shop. It highlights artwork created by numerous artists, so you’ll never know what post-holiday masterpieces you’ll find such as hand-crafted furniture, jewelry, or other types of home decor.

Shoe Cellar

245 Forest Ave.

Located just half a block from the ocean, family-owned Shoe Cellar strives to help every customer find shoes that not only fit well but look excellent. It offers a wide array of sandals and running shoes for men and women as well as boots for women. The store also has a huge selection of UGG boots and shoes, so you can find a pair of shoes for just about anyone.

Thalia Surf

915 S. Coast Hwy.

Odds are, when you think of Laguna Beach, you probably think about surfing. A staple in the community since 2001, Thalia Surf is one of the best local spots to shop for surf gear. Owner Nick Cocores set out to show customers the other side of surfing, which includes the style and originality of the sport. He partnered with some of the area’s best surfers to showcase their talent through graphic design and art.

As a result, the store aims to give each customer a classic yet modern surf experience, so it sells authentic products you won’t find anywhere else. Peruse its huge collection of Laguna Beach T-shirts or an extensive array of retro surfboards. In addition, the store forged a partnership with Vans in 2010 to ensure their surf line fulfills shoe needs with the local surfer. It remains the only partnership on the west coast with Vans.

As the home to numerous artists and artisans, Laguna Beach has an abundance of shops worth checking out after the holidays. Teak Master has highlighted some of the places you must visit to capitalize on post-holiday sales. Make a point to visit one of these six shops to score some amazing deals.