With the Christmas season ahead, many rely on large chains for potential gifts to family and friends, but what about our local businesses? With the emergence of the Shop Small movement, many communities have been able to empower their entrepreneurship with Small Business Saturday. Purchasing items from our variety of OC based shops can help you find a unique and meaningful gift for all of your loved ones. Here are some of Orange County beloved storefronts and online shops. 

1. Popsikle Shop

Popsikle shop in OC’s first mobile boutique run my Crystal Rey and Rachel Garcia. They specialize in secondhand clothing and handmade accessories. With their love for fashion, they managed to turn a vintage trailer into a beautiful turquoise shop. Their clothes range from children, teens, and young adults with a variety of aesthetics. They partake in the Santa Ana Art Walk as a pop up shop, but reside in Downtown Anaheim. Their Instagram handle is @popsikleshop and their online website is popsikleshop.com.

2. Califas Vela Co.

Califas Vela Co. is a Latina owned shop dedicated to soy wax candles. Their owner, Edith Jimenez, creates unique scents such as “nopal y sal de mar” and “cafe de olla,” which are their most popular scents thus far. Her handmade candles symbolize a love for her Hispanic culture, and they have recently collaborated with downtown Santa Ana’s Cafe Cultura to create a new scent, “Calabaza Y Pepitas” for the winter season. Her Instagram handle is @califasvelco, where you can keep up with her newest creations.

3. CruxWorldwide

An iconic enamel pin is an essential to any backpack or denim jacket, which is why Crux Worldwide is an ideal option for your alternative friend group. Christian Cruz takes inspiration from cartoons such as the classic The Simpsons to the modern Rick and Morty to create his products such as illustrations, clothing, and stickers. His Instagram handle is @t_crux and his online shop is cruzworldwide.com.

4. Beverly Salas

Beverly Salas is an artist who creates psychedelic work through gel pens and the art of collaging. She prides herself on creating prints, zines, beautiful accessories, and apparel. Each piece she creates come from a place of love and effort for what she does. Consider following her journey on Instagram, @beverlysalas, and her etsy, @ArtByBeverlySalas. She is currently having a 30% off sale on every item, so consider purchasing an original item for your artsy friends and family.

5. LibroMobile

Have a bookworm in your life? LibroMobile offers a large variety of books by indie authors, along with original artwork and products by local artists. They are constantly updating their store with new books, so you’ll never be able to predict what you’ll find next. LibroMobile prides themselves on authenticity, and enriching the community through literature. Their Instagram handle is @libromobile and their website is libromobile.com.