For those who enjoy wine and paint nights , a new business in town is expanding on the concept , offering wine tastings paired with a variety of arts and crafts — both selfguided projects and classes . Husband-andwife team Doug and Angelica Vogel were set to open Wine Craft in late October at 662 S . Coast Highway . Both the venue ’ s wine and art activities will be themed and follow the seasons , with crafts ranging from painting to cork art , wreath-making and mosaics on bottles or trivets . The vino , mostly lesser-known varietals , comes from around the world : For example , a carricante from the mountains of Sicily that is lightly fragrant with minerality and hints of acorn and goes well with cured meats such as Ibérico ham or prosciutto . For the holidays , expect a dornfelder , which has hints of nutmeg and clove . Custom charcuterie plates will be offered to help bring out unique flavor profiles in the wines . Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to educate guests about the various types of

wine . Private tastings and craft sessions will also be available on request . ( 949-376- 0007 ; winecraftoc . com )

Another new shop , Merkababe Designs , opened in late September at 1031 S . Coast Highway . The high-end crystal store offers everything from lapis lazuli palm stones to zeolite and sunshine aura quartz clusters to handcrafted , one-of-a-kind crystal jewelry pieces . Choose from necklaces , bracelets and rings featuring stunning gemstones , plus a zodiac collection . The shop also offers sound baths , divination tools and owner Carly Tway ’ s self-published oracle deck , “ Invitation to the Soul ’ s Center .” Tway aims to provide the tools people need to connect with their spiritual side and help them reach a higher path . ( 405-562- 0071 ; merkababedesigns . com )

And in the downtown area , a new store called , well , Store , opened over the summer . Filling the space previously occupied by North Menswear , the new shop at 380 Glenneyre St ., Ste . C , focuses on selling

refined casual to high-end , ready-to-wear menswear and accessories from independent and unique labels with quality design and attention to detail . Owner David Strong says he aims to provide a high level of service in a laid-back , comfortable and welcoming environment . Strong has a long connection to Laguna , having moved to town at age 20 and worked at Laguna Surf & Sport . For the past two decades , he has been involved in the fashion and design industry , moving up through the ranks from packing boxes to designing collections . He is owner and designer of the Monadic brand , which is carried at Store along with labels such as Free & Easy , Corridor , Freenote Cloth , Saint Rita Parlor and more . Of his latest venture , Strong says Store is an extension of his view of high coastal fashion and culture , “ the culmination of two decades of being completely in love with , and sunk into , the beautiful world of style and approach .” ( 949-715- 0013 ; storelaguna . com ) — Sharon Stello

MIDDLE : DANTE COSTA / @ DANTECOSTA __; RIGHT : COURTESY OF WINE CRAFT

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