BEST BUYS
Locals Only is the Barneys New York equivalent of a vintage
clothing store. For 20 years owners Jim Olarte and Larry Craig have
preferred a minimalist display and carry what's in fashion in vintage
styles from the mid-1940s to mid-'70s. If peasant dresses are in,
turquoise or fur, you'll find them here. Surfwear designers from
Stussy, Billabong, Hang Ten Italy and Hollister Ranch shop here for
inspiration. An archive room in back serves as their resource; they
digitize hundreds of images of clothing. There's a selection of
Halston dresses, Hawaiian shirts, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and
Ferragamo accessories. Souvenir and rock 'n' roll T-shirts are
especially hot now. The store's display of vintage skin boards and
skateboards attracts a lot of attention. Even Bruce Weber
photographed them for an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog! Open from 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 664 S. Coast Highway. (949) 494-0022.
Come in and get framed
Need a special picture framed? Stop by The Art of Framing. In
addition to beautiful moldings and mats to choose from, it has a
print library where you can select from more than 5,000 images.
Choose from classic works of art to movie posters; then have it
framed for that right look in your home or office. Owner Mac Meehan
has a great eye for matching frames with art. Open from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1454
S. Coast Highway. (949) 464-0747
Rare shop offers rare fossils
Kristalle Natural History Gallery is one of Laguna's most unusual
stores specializing in minerals, rocks, fossils and rare shells.
"Most people have no idea what we have here," says manager
Stephanie Andrews. "About 10% of what we have upfront is polished
stone because most people can't relate to unpolished pieces."
Kristalle specializes in specimens in their natural state.
Minerals come from Pakistan, Poland, Peru, Spain, India, Peru and
Afghanistan. Rare pieces include: a 200-million-year-old dinosaur
track found in Massachusetts, and a 44-million- to
50-million-year-old sting ray fossil. Kristalle can accommodate all
budgets. Kids buy 50-cent tumbled stones, and collectors from all
over the world spend thousands on specimens. Open from 10:30 a.m. to
5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 875 N
Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. (949) 494-7695.
Top bikes for all types of use
Owner Chuck Densford of Rainbow Bicycle Company says he probably
has the most popular bike shop in Orange County. People from all over
