Mom-and-pop stores and locally owned businesses are often the ones that suffer when consumers tighten up their budget during tough economic times. With the local economy in mind, The Sacramento Press asked locals if they were given $100 to spend on a locally owned business in Sacramento, how would they spend it? "I support a lot of the small businesses throughout Sacramento, or mom-and-pop (stores), because they are the bread and butter of today's economy,” Financial Analyst Soua Lee, 27, said. Lee, a Rosemont resident, said that he would spend it on groceries at Vang’s Market, a grocery store. "I have to say, I would spend my $100 on a place called Crimson and Clover. It's a reall

The line between runway deities and real people was blurred on Thursday night. That’s because the global Fashion’s Night Out show at Pavilions on Howe and Fair Oaks featured real people from all walks of life, not just magazine covers. Movers, shakers and other people of influence in Sacramento's community gathered to restore consumer confidence and support the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. The night’s theme: When you look good, you feel good. When you have the feeling of fulfillment, you won’t have the tendency to give up. Whatever you decide to do with your life, do it with style. For the 38 inspiring real-life role models on stage, how looking good, leads to feeling good, and being

A new “boutique” Goodwill store has opened its doors on L and 16th Streets, offering area shoppers a well organized, eco-friendly retail experience and deals on merchandise like books, lamps, shoes and purses. Store manager Noelle McCrea said the L Street location is unique in that its stock is handpicked from Goodwill locations across the country. While other Goodwills accept and sell most all donations, a “boutique” Goodwill strives to feature name brands, high-quality and vintage goods. Clothing is centrally located and sectioned into garment-specific, labeled racks, like: women’s plus size tops, long sleeve knit tops, lingerie, men’s jackets and men’s dress shirts. The women’s sect

Co-hosts Liz Franco and Ashlee Gadd are bringing popular clothing exchange Stitch Swap to The Citizen Hotel Saturday. “Stitch Swap is an opportunity to meet new friends, rid your wardrobe of things you no longer wear, find new items for your closet, all while raising money and awareness for Women Escaping a Violent Environment," said Gadd, marketing and public relations manager for The Citizen Hotel. Participants bring $10 as well as any accessories, clothing or shoes they want to swap from 3 - 5 p.m. Saturday at the Citizen Hotel 926 J St. There is no limit to how much people can bring or how much they can take, Gadd said. Franco is a legislative assistant who started Stitch Swap in 2

Sacramento shopkeepers Olivia Coelho and Trisha Rhomberg will open a new take on their vintage clothing store Bows & Arrows this Saturday. And this time, they will not be alone. The new Bows & Arrows, opening across from Safeway on 19th Street, will also sell the gourmet popsicles, panini sandwiches and other fare made by Jaymes Luu of Davis-based Fat Face cafe. The new store, located in a former recording studio, will continue to sell clothes from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Coelho and Rhomberg will also sell refashioned clothing under their own label, Miss Chief of California. The new store will also contain an art gallery, the cafe, and a beer and wine bar run by Coelho and Rh

Mother’s Day is coming Sunday, and The Sacramento Press has a few gift ideas that are sure to let mom know how much you love her.   Gift idea No. 1: Send your mom on a relaxing getaway. Super Spa, located at 1722 J St., Suite 1, offers a variety of massage services. Relaxation or therapeutic massages range from $40 to $120 depending on the length of the massage. A warm stone therapy ranges from $90 to $140, and a head and scalp treatment for 30 minutes costs $40. Every 60 minutes of massage includes an organic aromatherapy steam. According to owner Suzanne Saunders, Super Spa's "Treat Mom to 90 minutes of bliss" special includes a L'initié facial care with Univera's super hydrating l

What’s a sign that it’s officially summer in Sacramento? Summer is around the corner, and signs of the season are showing up everywhere in the city, the days are warmer and outside recreational activities begin to increase. The Sacramento Press stopped locals in the central city during the Second Saturday Art Walk, and asked, “What’s a sign that it’s officially summer in Sacramento?” Musician/singer Elijah Bell, 19, lives downtown and said he knows it’s summer when girls are walking around wearing less clothing. He added, “The days seem longer, and more songs come out on the radio.” Live music and local street performers are also more prevalent during summer on Second Saturdays. Stre

peace. love. swap. is a one of a kind independent coalition that organizes ongoing kid's swaps. The swaps are for local eco-minded parents to get together and recycle (exchange) their kid’s stuff (ages 0-14 and maternity). After the swaps, I donate the leftovers to local charities and needy families. I'd like to invite you to view more information, read our mission statement, and see what moms are saying about our swaps at: www.peaceloveswap.com. Parents love the swaps, as much as I love coordinating them ! In order to make the swaps a success, we need as many parents as possible to participate. Kids grow up so quickly and always need new stuff just as quickly. In this economic climate,

The Upper Playground clothing store on J Street has closed, and a new store owned by a former Upper Playground manager will take its spot. Aaron Hearing will open a new store in the same location, but he refused to comment on Upper Playground, saying, “It’s none of my business.” Upper Playground, located at 2524 J St., was a locally owned franchise with corporate offices in San Francisco. Other locations for the clothing store are in Seattle, Portland, Berkeley, Mexico City and London. When The Sacramento Press contacted Upper Playground’s corporate office Dec. 15, officials claimed no knowledge of the store’s closing, though an employee who answered the phone at the Sacramento locatio

Heart Clothing Boutique will celebrate its one-month anniversary this weekend. Owner Vanessa Lopez said her new business has exceeded her expectations since its grand opening during October’s Second Saturday Art Walk. “It was a really quick start,” Lopez said. “But it’s been a great first month.” In a small space off Capitol Avenue, Lopez found a location and an opportunity that she said she couldn’t pass up. After signing a lease, she made it a goal to open for Second Saturday, which gave her only a month to decorate, stock and prepare the boutique for business. “My family, my boyfriend and my friends helped a lot,” Lopez said. Lopez has been taking business classes. She went against w

A recycled clothing maven has come full circle, opening a new Midtown store just steps away from her first job in the business. After growing up in the central city, Elizabeth Kelley opened her second Freestyle Clothing Exchange Saturday at the corner of 21st and L streets — about half a block from where she got her first job as an ironer at Cheap Thrills costume shop. Kelley opened Freestyle at 2101 L St. as a sister store to her first resale shop, which opened in Citrus Heights in 2007. The return to Midtown feels like a return to her roots, she said. "I really have a lot of love for that area," she said. "It's like my home." She was just 19 when she started working at Cheap Thrills.

 Although cheering fans with painted faces, yellow cards or buzzing vuvuzelas were nowhere in sight Saturday night at the Hot Italian restaurant, a little piece of World Cup soccer was in Sacramento. The eatery hosted its second half of the 2010 FIFA World Cup “The Art of the Game” celebration with a fashion contest. Ten local designers randomly chose countries participating in the World Cup and were challenged to design an original piece based on them. Local judges Leigh Grogan, Sacramento Bee’s fashion editor; stylist Health Hamilton; and fashion blogger Jen Wade and votes via Facebook and Twitter decided the winner.Lindsey Bee and her outfit inspired by Spain took first place, foresha

Peace. Love. Swap. is a one of a kind independent coalition that organizes ongoing kid's swaps. The swaps are for local eco-minded parents to get together and recycle (exchange) their kid’s stuff (ages 0-14 and maternity). After the swaps, I donate the leftovers to local charities and needy families. How it works: You bring items to swap (clothing, toys, sports equipment, etc.) plus $5 per family. While the volunteers set up, the kids can play in our family friendly venues and parents can look around at our vendor tables. Once set up is complete, families can come in and take as much or as little as they need.   I'd like to invite you to view more information, read our mission statement,

Midtown's Lucky Lefty’s recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Despite the skepticism of nay-saying college career counselors, who called the venture a "stupid idea," and the uncertainty of Californian economic prospects, the clothing shop is thriving. Co-owner Brennan Williams says, growing up, he and his friends’ interest in clothing brands stemmed from a fascination with the subcultures they represented. Williams noticed that other young people who shared his interest tended to resort to travel or the Internet to explore emergent brands, instead of investing in Sacramento’s own scene.  Inspired by skate stores like FTC Sacramento and PLA Folsom, Williams and his friends -now pa

Contributed by Jenn Walker At age 19 and 20, Sacramento City College students Diana Byrd and Elena Gallegos are discovering the business world firsthand with the growth of their online business Meshugga Chic. Meshugga Chic, casually referred to as just Meshugga (not to be confused with the Swedish death metal band Meshuggah), is the duo's online vintage clothing store, catering to men and women with a unique fashion sense around the world. Their merchandise is an array of color, fun and the unusual. Items like high-waist purple parachute pants, a billowy bright pink and purple windbreaker or an acid wash jumper scream '80s. Anything funky goes. The two launched their site around a year

The Sacramento Unity and Diversity Music Festival originaly Scheduled for May 2nd was rained, so we were forced to reschedule. Festivites were ready to get started bands were lined up, vendors and food booths were ready to go. People started lining up at the gate and down it came.. The City of Sacramento allowed us to cancel this event and come back with more strength and blessings. We know this is going to be a one of a kind festival, one that Sacramento has never seen. There will be Reggae, R&B, Salsa, Soca, Gospel Rap, Praise Dancers, Rock, and Dance Toops. We are working to bring All of Sacramento together with one rythem, one beat, one LOVE. You can purchase your tickets online at www

Avanni Briggs, 20 Starbucks employee Choreographer, dancer, singer South Sacramento resident When he's not dancing, Avanni Briggs shows his rebel style. This Sacramento dancer was recently in New York for a taping of BET's Wild Out Wednesday, a talent show for young people. "I don't like to look like anybody else," he said when asked where he gets his style. "I use my own imagination," he added. Briggs shops at Getta Clue in Downtown Plaza. "I get the clippers and get to work. Doing your own hair takes hours," he said of his unique hairstyle, which has an artistic design etched into each side. Briggs accessorizes himself in a white tank top, red-and-brown-embroidered Christian Dior b

Jenn Walker, 22 Sac State Student Sacramento Press Intern Natomas Resident Jenn Walker knows her vintage style. "I guess it would be from working in a clothing boutique for over four years," she replied when asked where she got her style. "I kind of just like recreating old looks and putting my own twist to it," she added. Walker accessorizes herself in Big Star jeans, a t-shirt from Crossroads Trading Co. at 2935 Arden Way, a tan leather vest, matching pumps, aviator-style sunglasses with brown tint, bracelets and a necklace. Brown highlights in Walker's hair complete her unique look.  

After spending a week writing a massive government document which will soon be gathering dust in a public library near you, I am just dying to get home and dive under the covers with the latest Lucky (my new favorite trashy fashion magazine), my Ben & Jerry’s, and a rat terrier warming my feet. For those of you are looking to actually get out of the house there are some big fashion events you need to put on your calendar. Despite the recent (and continued) close of several midtown boutiques (Shoefly, Dara Denim, Barby K and now Blush), Sacramento continues to “do” fashion as the industry boasts more events in 2009. Three local events of late have caught my attention – Fashionably Live, In

You will be safer, more comfortable and have more fun when you're dressed right! Dressing right can make the difference between having a really good time or simply enduring discomfort until the end of the day. With a versatile clothing system you will be safer, more comfortable, perform better and simply have more fun on the water. The bottom line is... you will want to paddle more often. Being comfortable in all conditions comes down to one basic principle - maintaining a balance between the heat our bodies produce and the heat we lose to the environment. Rain, sleet, spray, unexpected swims and capsizes can happen to anyone in water sports. The days of a rubber raincoat over jeans and