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GIRL
by Kateri Wozny Kateri is an award-winning journalist with a
background in print, online, radio and TV news. A native of Minneapolis, MN, she has written for the Chicago Sun-Times Media Group, Pepperdine University and Acorn Newspapers. She works full time as a public relations manager locally and loves exploring the Santa Barbara fashion scene. Follow her on Twitter @kitkatwozny.
New Salt Boutique Adds Flavor to SB
I
am a foodie and love to savor gourmet foods. However, I recently started eating healthier and cut down on a lot salt in my diet. As I roamed up and down State Street a couple of weeks ago looking for good food, something told me to go down West Canon Perdido. Alas, I looked up and found Salt Boutique. Salt, my favorite seasoning that I had dismissed! Here’s something that won’t harm my body, something my wallet can crave and satisfy me. But wait… is this the same Salt Boutique that used to be on Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria? “It sure is,” smiled owner Robin Baron as she greeted me. “We just opened in July.” As we chatted, I learned that Baron has been on pins and needles over the past nine years, waiting for a new construction project to take place where her former boutique was. After the project manager
informed her that it was finally going to
Shopper Diana Vestal, resident of Santa Barbara, rummages through racks to find the perfect outfit. “I love (Salt Boutique),” she said. “The first time I looked in, I was thinking, ‘Oooh... what is that?’”
Owner Robin Baron recently opened up Salt Boutique in July
It’s tIme to
break ground, Baron took action to find a new retail home and discovered it in Santa Barbara. “It’s been really good – people are very happy we’re here,” she said. “We have a new following starting to come down and find us.”
Humble Beginnings
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Baron has been a retail figure in the Santa Barbara area for more than two decades. Taking after her interior-designer parents, in 1980 she opened up Swept Away, a furniture and accessories store in the former Piccadilly Square. Baron later moved across the street to start manufacturing her own line of clothing also called Swept Away, which sold nationwide in stores such as Nordstrom’s between 1980-90. “It was a garment dyed in 20 colors, similar to CP Shades,” she said. After her 20-year lease was up, Baron took a break and was later encouraged by her friend at Eye of the Day Garden Design Center in Carpinteria to start her own boutique –where a gas station once stood – which would later become Baron’s first home for Salt Boutique. “It started with just one rack and grew from there,” she said. Salt is more than just a flavoring for Baron. The boutique’s name originally came from her Salt shoe line, which
resembled Bali shoes with sparkles on them and was designed between 2005-07. “They were cute and very stylish,” Baron said.
Spicing it up Walking around, Salt Boutique has a chic beach atmosphere. With a variety of designer brands from all over the world, prices range from $38 for a T-shirt to $88 for a dress. I found myself a cute pink, rose-print tank top from AMB Designs. Baron even carries local jewelry designer Kaori and her boutique manager, Julia Pilchard, also makes her own jewelry to sell in the boutique. “Our items are classy and comfortable with style,” Pilchard said. “Everything is very well-priced and you can get an amazing style for affordable prices. Our customers are like family.” With the boutique just opened, Baron would like to host customer appreciation events and trunk shows. She also sees herself expanding to other parts of Southern California in the future. “It would be great to give other cities a good experience like we do here in Santa Barbara,” she said.
Salt Boutique is located at 1A West Canon Perdido. For more information, call 5606888 or visit saltclothingsb.com. (Don’t forget to like it on Facebook!)