As long as you don't choose,

everything is possible.

Jaco Van Dormael

from his film "Mr Nobody"

Artwork by

 Lorraine Blasor

NOV. 28 IS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RETAILER

Photo courtesy of
Matilsha Marxuach

Cotton tote from
Concalma in Old San Juan

SAN JUAN -- Once again, it's that time of year. Shopping for
Christmas gifts is fun but large crowds and long lines at shopping
centers can easily dampen a person's enthusiasm. A better
alternative: check out the local retailers in  your neighborhood,
you might be surprised.

One good day to do this is tomorrow, Nov. 28, which is the day
when Small Business Saturday, launched in 2010, is celebrated
in the states. The date varies each year but it is always the Saturday
sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Although
the movement has yet to take off in Puerto Rico, some stores on
Loiza St. are planning to mark the date by rolling the red welcome
mat to the public.

Loiza St. has a nice lineup of small boutiques selling clothing,
accessories and jewelry.  They include Love is You  and Me (just
one block off Loiza St.on del Parque St.), Kamoli, Moni Coli and
Hecho A Mano. There is also Len.t.juela and Electroshock, thrift
stores that offer unique vintage clothing collections as well as the
unexpected finds that always thrill consumers.

Claudia is a tiny boutique on the corner of Loiza St. and Diez de
Andino that focuses on the home. It is chockfull of beautiful things.
In fact, it is pretty amazing how many objects are packed in this
long, narrow space: furnishings, lamps, accessories, decorative
details, everything carefully chosen to give the home that special
touch of luxury or whimsy.

On this Saturday when small businesses shine, don't forget the
small shops of old San Juan. They too are worth a visit.

At Concalma (207 Calle San Francisco) you will find colorful cotton
bags made by a woman's coop and sold at fair trade prices. The
bags are attractive, sturdy and feature a trademark striped shoulder
strap. Another small shop not to be missed is Luca at 255 Calle Cruz
Cruz. Everything in this intimate store celebrates the beauty of
design: Jewelry, clothing, unique items are beautifully displayed on
blonde wood shelves. Pure Soul at 258 Calle San Justo and nearby
Pure Soul Living are among the most attractive stores in old San
Juan. The former features fashions and accessories by local
designers while the latter is devoted to the home: you will feel like
Ali Baba entering a cave filled with treasure.

For a poetic gift visit The Poet's Passage at 203 Calle Cruz. Here
you will find white ceramic tiles quoting poems and insightful
maxims by Lady Lee Andrews, the author of several poetry
collections. The tiles come in different sizes and are the kind of
gift that touches the heart and mind.

Let's not forget the body. For that, stop by Marisel Herbal Bath
and Body at 306 Fortaleza St. and select from an assortment of
perfumed handmade soaps. They are made with simple, natural
ingredients like olive, palm and coconut oils, organic-fair trade
cocoa, shea butters and plants like lemon grass or different kinds
of mints.

Small businesses work hard to provide goods and services to the
public. They are an important part of the economy and supporting
them is a way of strengthening our neighborhoods. Small stores
add convenience to our lives and local color to our streets. This
Saturday, drop by your neighborhood retailers and see what they
have to offer: you might be surprised.

The soul should always 
stand ajar,
ready to welcome
 the ecstatic experience.

Emily Dickinson

    ☛ A SIMPLE TIP

 

Consider the humble cement block. This fundamental
yet common building material is not exclusive to construction.
In fact, as you can appreciate from the above picture, a cement
block can easily double as a planter. All that is needed is a coat of
bright paint to enhance its looks, then fill the hollow space inside
the block with soil and set the plant of your choice in place.

The small things of life were often
so much bigger than the great things…the trivial
pleasures like cooking, one's home,
little poems especially
sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen
and overheard.

Barbara Pym

"Less than Angels"

   Copyright  ©2015 Lorraine Blasor all rights reserved☂