Whether it’s a gift or a frivolity, many neighbors will head to Lakewood Shopping Center at Gaston and Abrams to find it. On a recent afternoon, we visited its eclectic mix of retailers to see what shoppers just couldn’t live without.
Talulah Belle
Owner Elizabeth Mast has a knack for stocking her shop with everything you never knew you’ve always wanted.
THE SHOPPER: Stephanie Tanoury
THE FIND: Black and silver Bamboo flats
THE PRICETAG: $25
THE REACTION: “$25 bucks! I mean doesn’t that look like something you’d pay $100 for? They’re adorable. I can always find something trendy here — things you can’t find anywhere else.”
Curiosities
You could spend hours in mother-son team Terry and Jason Cohen’s store, full of antiques and eccentricities, and still find another corner to browse.
THE SHOPPER: Rhonda Warren
THE FIND: Vintage wallpaper
THE PRICETAG: $2 a sheet
THE REACTION: “I’m a graphic designer. I have an antique letterpress, and I’m going to print on top of them. I haven’t figured out what yet.”
Bebe Grand
A whimsical wonderland of all things baby and child, where owner Susan O’Neill sells top-of-the-line clothing and handpicked books.
THE SHOPPER: Judy Clements
THE FIND: Hot pink daisy Wee Squeak shoes
THE PRICETAG: $28
THE REACTION: “These are for my granddaughter. She’s about 1 and a half. I just liked this style of shoes — I didn’t even know they squeaked. She has shoes you just don’t see everywhere else.”
Splendor in the Grass
People come from miles around to examine owner Diana Thatcher’s extensive selection of sparkling beads.
THE SHOPPER: Cyndi Taylor
THE FIND: Strands of gem-quality sapphires
THE PRICETAG: $59 per strand
THE REACTION: “I just love beads, and she had some really pretty sapphire beads that are what I had been looking for. I want it to go with some black pearls.”
Green Living
If it’s earth-friendly, you can find it at Kate Macaulay and Michael Johnson’s store, where they say “10 percent of proceeds go toward the planet.”
THE SHOPPERS: Patty Underbrink and Joni Henderson
THE FIND: American Pride paint and Green & Black’s organic dark chocolate
THE PRICETAG: $29.99 and $1.89
THE REACTION: “We’re getting paint that’s odorless so you can paint in occupied areas, and you don’t have to use chemicals to clean up. When we need something that’s ecologically sound, we come here — and we always buy chocolate.”
