SMALLGOODS: A BITE OF QUALITY

As students flood down La Jolla Boulevard, they may pass by a flapping white flag with the word “Cheese” on it, or mouthwatering sandwiches, iced lattes, and charcuterie brought out to friends gathered at a white bench and table. This place is Smallgoods.

This small and cozy cheese and provisions shop is owned by Mrs. Jenny Eastwood and Mr. Mike Eastwood — a husband and wife team. In 2016, they moved to San Diego and started Smallgoods in the La Jolla farmer’s markets. Soon, they expanded to other farmer’s markets in the county.

“But we never really only wanted to do farmer’s markets,” Mr. Eastwood recalled. “The opportunity came along around three years ago, now, to get this place. So we pounced on it and opened up a shop here in La Jolla.”

However, three weeks after opening in February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and everything shut down. “COVID-19 was very tricky for us because the store was really new,” Mrs. Eastwood sighed. It was difficult for many restaurants to get back on their feet — especially a new business.

While Smallgoods wasn’t a farmer’s market stand anymore, Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood maintained their close bonds with the farmers and artisans who sold prod- ucts at their store. This sparked one of Mrs. Eastwood’s most brilliant ideas. “She came up with the idea of bringing the farmers here. We would set the market vendors up in front of the shop.” Mr. Eastwood smiled proudly. “They set up out front of our shop and gained [revenue] for quite a number of farmers.”

After the pandemic, Smallgoods started to gain more customers, many of whom were Bishop’s students.

Ayanna Hickey (‘26) worked at Smallgoods over the summer and into the school year. She started working in fifth grade at the farmer’s markets after hearing about the opportunity, and when she was old enough, she began to work in their shop. “It was actually so much fun. When you work, they give you samples of all the cheeses and meats.” She continued, “They’re actually the best things I’ve ever had in my life,” Ayanna said.

Next to the delicious samples, she also recalled having a blast with Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood. “They’re so nice, the sweetest people. They give me rides whenever I need it, and they allow me to go into Smallgoods and sit there and talk to them,” Ayanna said, grinning. “They treat me like their daughter.”

Other students, such as Lily Gover

(‘24) shared her experience at Smallgoods. “Mike came out of the kitchen and gave us a free sample of something he had just tried. It was like a sandwich with apple, cheese. It was something fun, and I’d never tried it before,” she said earnestly. “My first impression was that they really care about what they serve. There were only two of them, but it felt like a little community.”

Mr. Eastwood named many of the different artisans and small businesses that Smallgoods supports, explaining that what he loves about them are all unique. Erika Lynch, the owner of Babette’s Table, is one of his favorite artisans. “She’s still doing such an old-school, handmade process. There’s nothing mass produced about it,” he explained. Mr. Eastwood also mentioned Bill Miner, who owns Il Porcelino, and then there’s Golden Gate Meats from San Francisco, is another. There are so many great artisans all across the US.”

“Mike and I are very passionate about what we do,” Mrs. Eastwood said. “When you get our platters, we always include a little piece of paper that tells you all about the cheeses and charcuterie that are on that platter. You know exactly what you’re eating. And that’s important to us.”

Both Mrs. Eastwood and Mr. Eastwood, the owners of Smallgoods, put great time and care into making their charcuterie boards, which is what they’re known for.