UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Q + A
Amii Schenk , founder of the new Bluebird Mercantile
Eclectic Collective
BLUEBIRD MERCANTILE OFFERS A NEW KIND OF SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IN LAGUNA BEACH .
By ASHLEY BREEDING
Bluebird Mercantile ’ s many items , from handcrafted clothing to books , ceramics and gift items
B luebird Mercantile is curated the same way its founder , Amii Schenk , says a beautiful home or wardrobe should be : “ with well-made pieces that are a mix of new and vintage .”
The 1,600-square-foot store , which held its grand opening Dec . 2 in the former Vertigo Home space at 1550 S . Coast Highway , is a shop-within-a-shop that features around 11 different vendors ( or “ partners ”) and consigners from Laguna to Yucca Valley and beyond . Inspired by similar concepts she visited in Palm Springs , Schenk says she loves the idea of being able to browse “ a little of this , a little of that ” in one place . Here , you ’ ll find everything from handcrafted clothing , furniture and ceramics to novelty gifts and garden items .
A background in retail — Schenk also opened both Little Bohemian boutiques and the Neighborhood Laguna hat store , though she has since sold all three — and an affinity for travel helped her realize the vision for what she says customers have likened to a miniature American Rag Cie or Fred Segal . “ My managers , Nika Shalala and Carol Gonzalez , are also an integral part of building our [ brand ],” she says . “ The three of us have very different tastes , so we ’ ve had fun bringing those together .” Here , Schenk takes us on a brief tour of the new shop .
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : How do you select your partners ? AMII SCHENK : Many we ’ ve discovered , but a few have come to us . Some rent an entire space they [ set up with merchandise ] themselves while others — like Found Rental , who made these beautiful chairs and marble tables — consign a small collection at a time . We also curate clothing and home pieces ourselves .
LBM : What are some of the hot sellers ? AS : Rachiel Macalistaire ’ s vintage clothing , which changes themes every month , is flying off the rack . Takuya ’ s hand-dyed bandana balloon pants are a big hit . Super Ready ’ s unisex
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