M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y JUNE 3-9, 2009 SPECIAL
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EXPLORING MOUNTAIN VIEW
SHOPPING GUIDE
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ERE’S WHERE to find some of Mountain View’s most interesting shopping spots. More picks can be found at mountainview.net.
Therapy Therapy is like a cooler, less pretentious Urban Outfitters. Their large men’s and women’s clothing section is for the youngand-hip set, the garments creatively arranged by color. Unlike Urban Outfitters, Therapy’s quality control seems to be consistent and top notch, with an eclectic mix of well-made pieces in funky, urban styles that won’t fall apart in the washer. They carry an array of brands like Betseyville and Nixon, and with the store’s long stretch of roomy dressing rooms at the back, shoppers will never have to wait in line to try on a top or skirt. At the front of the store is a small interior design, art and stationary section, with kitschy gag gifts, anime-style sculptures, furniture and accessories. 250 Castro St.; 650.691.1186.
Mystyq Boutique Selling lots of long, layered skirts, glittery tops and semiprecious baubles, Mystyq is a small, densely packed little clothes shop perfect for the mature woman with a penchant for the New Age. Much of their exercise, yoga, Pilates and casual wear is hand-painted and handmade, stretchy and conservative enough in cut to keep women covered. They also carry a selection of themed purses, cats being the most popular adornment. A collection of textured tops at the front of the shop comes in a rainbow of colors. 282 Castro St.; 650.964.4323.
Mountain View Tea Village and Gallery Passers-by can smell the exotic teas and spices wafting out of this Asian interior design and tea shop before they even step in the door. With huge jars of high-grade looseleaf teas from Taiwan and China lining the walls, both tea connoisseurs and novices can appreciate the rare oolong, black, green and pu-erh teas they sell. The back of Mountain View Tea Village and Gallery is entirely dedicated to unique Asian decorations, art and furniture, from hefty carved dragon statues to 4-foot-high geodes to glass Buddhas. 275 Castro St.; 650.988.1939.
Boutique 4 Boutique 4 is the place to go on Castro Street for flowing dresses in classic cuts that still manage to be fun, with bold prints and patterns. Though not a shop for teenybopper clientele, they have a sizable variety of flattering baby-doll dresses and long maxi dresses, both of which are big on the fashion circuit right now. The gigantic leather couch
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in the middle of the airily laid out boutique gives boyfriends a place to take a load off when tagging along on a female shopping excursion. 279 Castro St.; 650.903.9444.
Plumeria This tiny, yellow-painted shop is a compact hodgepodge of high-end consignment garments. Located on Villa Street, just off of the Castro Street strip, Plumeria sells big-name couture brands for a lot less. Still, shoppers should give themselves some time if they stop by. The racks are very tightly packed and rather disorganized, meaning one has to get elbow deep to make great finds. 714 Villa St.; 650.964.3749.
Global Beads Inc. Global Beads Inc. is a place for serious beaders and jewelry makers to stock up on professional-quality wearable art supplies. Not simply a hobby shop, this location has table after table of Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, horn, bone, shell, stone, wood, silver and gold beads, with strings of blownglass trinkets and wooden African masks lining the walls. In the glass cases near the front door can be found lots of exotic silver work from India, Africa, Burma and Thailand, including “Hands of Fatima” from Morocco and Ganesha pendants from India. Global Beads Inc. will soon be
installing a “Live Museum of Beadwork and Jewelry,” a substantial collection of vintage and historical jewelry pieces that will be up for sale. Much of the store is also devoted to women’s and men’s clothing, shoes and accessories, featuring simple, bohemian-style designs. 345 Castro St.; 650.967.7556.
owner Katia also teaches monthly handson classes in Moroccan cooking. This fairtrade Moroccan import company also has a great display of ceramics and dinnerware, including tagines, tea sets, colorful Moroccan glass and glazed Mediterranean tiles. 793 Castro St.; 650.630.1881.
Giovanna’s
Nalli Silks
This intimate luxury jewelry shop excels at high-end customer service. Elegant, modern-style bling sparkles in this small location’s many cases. They have generous displays of diamonds and precious and semistone designs, as well as simple gold, white gold, silver and titanium creations. Owner Giovanna herself will help couples with impending nuptials pick out perfectly matching wedding bands. They also custommake rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, and can re-create hard to find forms and sizes. 655 Castro St.; 650.938.4680.
Casablanca Market This Middle Eastern import, gift and furniture store sells intricately decorated hookahs, leather poufs, thick tapestries, glass lanterns and carved wooden tables. Also available are spices like saffron and bottles of rosewater, to help buyers feel like they are in a far-off local. In addition to event planning and home design services,
Whether shoppers want to look like a Bollywood star or are attending a traditional Indian wedding, Nalli Silks on West El Camino Real can serve all their sari needs. Customers are greeted by the attentive staff when they walk into the shop, offering help to find the perfect color and style. Hundreds of folded fabrics line the back wall, all genuine Indian silks, cottons and silkcotton blends. They carry everything from traditional weaves to more flashy, multihued threads, all the way up to luxurious, vividly dyed wedding style silks. Many of their outfits have intricate beading, tiny mirrors and all-over embroidery, as well as more simple, everyday saris. The staff will also show costumers the proper way to drape a sari, and a sewing room in back offers tailoring services. 80 W. El Camino Real; 650.938.0700. M Exploring Mtn. View 28