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...continued from p.27 A variety of clothing, jewelry, shoes, fragrances and art wait to be bought.
Where you go before the Show...
The Lobero Theatre Reopens! 134 E. Canon Perdido St. | 965-7922 | www.SojournerCafe.com Bonita gives back by selling FEED bags for the FEED Projects, an organization that provides school meals to help feed more than 60 million children around the world.
time to ...and let us do all the work for your
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the retail business for 30 years and opened Bonita in 2009, which, as you likely already know, means “pretty” in Spanish. “The name reflects the store; it has a Spanish flavor to it with a lot of elegance and color. It also reflects my background,” Rita explained. With much success coming out of the shop, she decided to open up another Bonita location in Los Olivos this past May. She also added TORO, Spanish for “bull,” which aims at the male clientele. “[It’s great to have a store] in Los Olivos because customers can shop and also taste wine in the town,” she said. “It’s got a rustic, country feel to it.” Bonita has a cozy yet southwestern feel. I was greeted by blues music and thus immediately slipped on my shades. (Doesn’t everybody do this when confronted by infectious blues?) As I danced my way around, I found that Bonita carries a wide variety of clothing, jewelry, lingerie, loungewear, accessories, shoes, fragrances and beauty supplies from upscale designers, such as Genetic Denim, Frank & Eileen, Heidi Merrick, Calleen Cordero, Anna Sui, Kerry Cassill, Tocca and Chan Luu. “Our customers are hip and looking for something unique. They want to be different and have something beautiful or classic,” Villa said. “It’s also great when
you see mothers that are shopping with their daughters.” Bonita even carries a beautiful and unique line of bags from Los Angeles called TOTeM, which uses recycled needle points, serape, Navajo blankets and discarded horse tack. The boutique has statues Villa bought at antique stores, photos on the walls from Texas artist Clarke Graves and crosses from San Miguel de Allende. “I’m always on the hunt for vintage things that will give the store its character,” Villa told me, smiling. At TORO, high-end brand names include James Perse, AG Jeans, Autumn Cashmere, Daftbird, Civilianaire and CP Shades. “It has not just clothing but men’s jewelry, leather goods, barber goods, a vintage cocktail section and a man’s best friend/dog section,” Villa was proud. “We call it a ‘den for men.’” Ooh. I like the sound of that.
Feeding the Needy
It isn’t just the shops’ character and their respective collections that have me excited. Villa also gives back to the community by selling FEED bags for FEED Projects, an organization that provides vitamins, school meals and other necessities to help feed more than 60 million children around the world. “It feels good to give back. We live in such a giving community and I choose causes I feel my customers care about,” she said. Shopping and doing my part? I love the direction we’re heading in here.
Shopping Isn’t Just For the Ladies
For those looking to see the up and coming fashions and meet a designer, Bonita Summerland hosts a variety of designer trunk shows once a month between February and December. The shop is also currently hosting a Ladies Night “Sip and Shop” trunk show on Tuesdays from 3 – 7pm now through December 17. “I feel like I’m entertaining in my home. We serve food and wine and everyone has a good time,” Villa said. “They meet friends and a designer that they can have