Page 12 - Small Shops of Sonoma County 2016

DISCOVERIES cont’d from page 9
next door it’s a perfect combination for families. This is a great toy store so I’m glad to see them downtown.
Jon Russo (our ad sales man on the street) caught Vanessa Johansen in Honeycomb right next door, and was so impressed with the quality of her goods. Such a nice person he said. Tasteful products, quality soaps and lotions (great for presents along the consumable line) pretty objects for home. Purchase something for your friend them something for yourself.
This city reminds me of East Coast cities. Maybe it’s the old architecture and the friendly people on the streets. People get out and about in downtown. Parking is relatively easy with a multistory parking lot and
Old Friends - that’s my friend Larry Conover Jewelers (532 College Ave.) on the lower right of page 9. I have known him for
about 30 years. When you need
a goldsmith, he’s your man. Every little detail is precious to him. His integrity of craftsmanship and respect for people’s family heirlooms brings people back over and over.
Paperwhite
several street level lots all within easy walking of shops and restaurants.
Larry creates
beautiful jewelry
designed for his
clients, and also does repairs, etc. And yes, he buys gold so if you need extra cash over the holidays and have some gold you don’t want, take it to Larry. He always gives people a good deal - fair and honest in every way.
Alan knows the drill by now - we wander in and out of shops. If we find something we like, we stay and look around, get into conversations and I take photos. He can tell when I like a shop by how many pictures I take.
Petaluma
On Kentucky Street, Alan fell in love with Paperwhite (119 Kentucky St). It’s paper of the extraordinary
and decorative kind. Fine textures, colors, sheets of wrapping paper and everything that makes a beautiful present. Alan is quite the artist wrapping. You carefully unwrap what he creates because half the gift is how he adorned it.
Ah yes, the day Alan said, “I’ll come to Petaluma with you. I haven’t been there in I don’t know how long!” Turns out, neither have I! When I had this delivery route, I came here all the time. My Petaluma man retired so I’ll be back delivering until I can replace him. If you see me lugging Gazettes, say HI! I like your city!
What lit me up was going into
Hot Polka Dot (119A Kentucky) only open on weekends! This little store
is packed with new and gently used fashions, accessories and BOOTS. Ayala specializes in boots for women with wide calves. That’s unusual. Fashions tend toward younger people, so think of this store for your teen or young adult.
Look what I discovered! ToyBVille (136 Petaluma Blvd N) moved to downtown from their E. Washington Plaza North Center store. That’s great news for downtown. With Lala’s Creamery (134 Petaluma Blvd N) right
B Street Mercantile (316 B St), attracted both of us. Owned by Jenny and Patti they focus on locally made products. Very Petaluma in here with plenty of chickens and incredibly
fine drawings of Petaluma buildings by Ricky Watts. It’s a wander around and touch things kind of store...hair clips to T-shirts, wall art to greeting cards with lots of color.
12 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - SS-12/16
DISCOVERIES cont’d on page 13
ToyBVille downtown now!
We stopped for lunch in the great Petaluma Mill down by the river in the Wild Goat Bistro (6 Petaluma Blvd N.) They have tables
out in the sheltered