Shop Local From Home for the Special Women in Your Life
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
If you’re looking for a friendly reminder: Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10. And what better way to order a gift than while respecting social distance and supporting Palisades businesses.
One interior designer and retailer who has shifted her focus entirely online for the first time in her career is Elizabeth Lamont, who owns the eponymous shop on Sunset Boulevard as well as Room at the Beach in Malibu.
“Both of my shops have been closed as non-essential businesses since March 15,” she explained. “That is the longest I have not had an open shop since 1990. We have, however, been open online and still working virtually with personal virtual shopping trips at my shops.”
She opened her first location, Room With A View, on Montana Avenue in 1990, eventually taking over Room at the Beach in Malibu nearly 10 years ago, which she still owns and operates. The Marquez Knolls resident of five years shared that she had been searching for a long time for a spot to open a Palisades store and finally did so last year.
Lamont explained that her design team is at home working away on projects, and that she has been able to isolate in an office and help clients remotely.
“I have been able to help clients order presents, linens, towels and lots of games,” she shared. “They have peeked in our window while on a walk or visited our online shop—which now has everything from both shops.”
Customers have the capability to ship anywhere, with gifts out of state arriving by Mother’s Day if ordered by May 4 and in state through May 6.
Lamont is currently focused on items for Mother’s Day, weddings and graduation. She listed a number of items available—including books, spa baskets, and gift certificates that can be used online or in the shop.
“If you can’t be with Mom on her special day, send a table setting to her for her to enjoy,” Lamont shared, explaining that she can ship napkins, placemats, napkin rings and a vase. “All she has to do is add food and flowers—maybe add a photo in a frame of you too.”
Customers also have the option of ordering gift cards for holiday shopping. They receive a $50 gift card with the purchase of $150 in gift cards or merchandise.
“We really want our online shop to be an extension of our two brick and mortar shops,” Lamont said.
She will soon be adding a blog section, which will feature photos and inspiration—the same vibe she designed her shops to achieve.
“I hope everyone in our community of the Palisades and Malibu remain healthy and safe,” Lamont shared. “Staying home has been a tough go, but the silver lining is seeing your neighbors, working on your legs and tush walking all those hills, and being with family.”
Lamont reported that while spending more time at home, she even played a video game with her son the other day.
Another local option shipping out for Mother’s Day is The Little Market—which, founded by Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, operates a nonprofit brick and mortar shop in Palisades Village.
Each item available at the store is ethically sourced and made by individuals who are underrepresented in the workforce, according to its website, including refugees, survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities and women transitioning out of homelessness.
Though the storefront has been closed since mid-March, The Little Market has been conducting business online, detailing its response to COVID-19 and precautions it is taking in a statement available at the website.
“Many of the artisan groups we work with across the globe are being deeply impacted by COVID-19 as well, and our support is more critical than ever before,” the website explains. “We will be regularly reassessing and adapting our operations and strategy in the weeks and months ahead so that our organization is in a position to weather the storm and continue supporting the artisans we work with.”
The Little Market Mother’s Day options—which give “back as much as Mom does”—include a Spa Gift Basket, Bake in Style Gift Box, Coffee Gift Set and more. There are also candles and totes that can be customized with messages like “the best mom.”
Orders for Mother’s Day should be placed by Friday, May 1.
In addition to those options, The Little Market has partnered with Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit aimed to support individuals who experienced incarceration or gang involvement, to offer delivery of freshly baked goods throughout Los Angeles County with its Homeboy at Home program.
“The core of The Little Market has always been to give back to individuals in underserved communities, locally in LA, nationally and globally,” Skvarla explained to the Palisadian-Post. “Due to the pandemic, we’re seeking out new ways to support the talented artisan groups and social enterprises we work with. We have deeply admired Homeboy Industries for years, and we are so thankful to have a new way to support them by bringing their baked goods to our local community in LA.”
Orders for baked goods must be received by a Wednesday at 10 a.m. for delivery on Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. A text message will be sent upon arrival.
Options include Challah Braid, Cinnamon Loaf, Ganache Brownies Box and Assorted Danish Box.
“In times like these, we’re increasingly reminded of our common humanity and the importance of advocating for human rights,” Skvarla shared. “It has really motivated me and our team at The Little Market to think of creative ways to continue making an impact and doing good. To take this one step further, we’re looking for ways to support and express our gratitude for the incredible front line professionals who are working tirelessly to serve our community.”
Shoppers are invited to donate an assorted box of Homeboy Bakery treats to be delivered to workers in the LA County area.
“So when you treat your family and loved ones,” Skvarla concluded, “you can also support individuals at Homeboy Industries, our global community and front line workers in our local neighborhoods.”
Elyse Walker, who owns and operates clothing boutiques elysewalker on Antioch and towne by elysewalker in Palisades Village, is fulfilling requests from clients virtually.
“If you ever told me that one day in my career, at elysewalker,” Walker shared in a statement on social media, “built in the community in which I raised my kids, built with so much love, care and hard work, built in honor of my mother who founded Capretto shoes in 1983 … that I would tell my team, my fashion team, my soccer team, my family, my friends, my confidants, my partners in crime, to please stay home because the world is not safe enough for you to come to work, I would say there is no way. That would never, ever happen.”
Walker went on to explain in the statement that she was temporarily closing her stores on March 16—putting health and safety first. But, still receiving notes from clients requesting products, her team now works virtually with those who reach out for assistance, including guidance for a Mother’s Day gift.
“Customers can email styling@elysewalker.com and we will respond with gifts ideas, suggestions, etc.,” a representative from the brand explained.
Palisadian Mikaila Fabbro—who can typically be spotted selling her Beach House by Mikaila wares at the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market—is offering Mother’s Day options via her online shop, a curated collection of anything a person could want in a beach cottage, from healing stones to natural shell candles and everything in between.
“My mom and I have thoughtfully selected and/or created each ensemble that we feel embodies that of a mother,” she wrote on the website.
In addition to a page dedicated to ideas for Mother’s Day, Fabbro and her mother have assembled a list of COVID self-care items to help clients get through the weeks at home and practicing social distancing. Offerings on the page include hand sanitizer, a hope love trust intention candle and dead sea bath salts with essential oils.
“We came up with a unique and fantastic sanitizer that in the end has 70% alcohol, does not dry out your hands and smells great too,” Fabbro shared.
Fabbro is offering free shipping or hand delivery (locally) on gifts $35 and above. THe last day to ship is May 5 and the last day for hand delivery is May 8.
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