Christmas Shopping: Do we have a store like this? (Laguna Niguel: neighborhood, buying)

[Mel2882]

Hopefully someone can help me out here...this is a little tricky to Google! When I lived in Chicago, there was a store down the street from me called the Urban General Store. I loved it for buying little gifts for people. It had everything from dish towels with fun sayings to journals to sweatshirts with my neighborhood's name across them. But the best part was the funny little trinkets--such as: unique staplers, funny party cups...forgive me, it's hard to remember all the stuff they had because it was so different. Not stuff you'd generally find at Target or the mall. They were funny things but useful. Not gag gifts and not raunchy. NOT Spencer's Gifts.

Does anyone know of a store like this in OC?

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by Mel2882

Hopefully someone can help me out here...this is a little tricky to Google! When I lived in Chicago, there was a store down the street from me called the Urban General Store. I loved it for buying little gifts for people. It had everything from dish towels with fun sayings to journals to sweatshirts with my neighborhood's name across them. But the best part was the funny little trinkets--such as: unique staplers, funny party cups...forgive me, it's hard to remember all the stuff they had because it was so different. Not stuff you'd generally find at Target or the mall. They were funny things but useful. Not gag gifts and not raunchy. NOT Spencer's Gifts.

Does anyone know of a store like this in OC?

Urban Outfitters

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Mach50

Urban Outfitters

Isn't that just a clothing store? I think he's referring to what we used to call a dime store. Where I live now we have one called the Variety Store. Some local hardware stores also used to offer stuff like that. I recall one in Laguna (Coast Hardware?) and another in Newport that did. Not sure if they still do though.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by Mel2882

Hopefully someone can help me out here...this is a little tricky to Google! When I lived in Chicago, there was a store down the street from me called the Urban General Store. I loved it for buying little gifts for people. It had everything from dish towels with fun sayings to journals to sweatshirts with my neighborhood's name across them. But the best part was the funny little trinkets--such as: unique staplers, funny party cups...forgive me, it's hard to remember all the stuff they had because it was so different. Not stuff you'd generally find at Target or the mall. They were funny things but useful. Not gag gifts and not raunchy. NOT Spencer's Gifts.

Does anyone know of a store like this in OC?

Are you looking for something like this? It's in Laguna Niguel. I've never visited, just driven by a zillion times, but it has good online reviews.
Birthday, Theme & Seasonal Party Goods*-*Party City

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by pacific2

Are you looking for something like this? It's in Laguna Niguel. I've never visited, just driven by a zillion times, but it has good online reviews.
Birthday, Theme & Seasonal Party Goods*-*Party City

That's not what he's looking for. I know exactly what he's talking about and don't recall a store like that anywhere in South OC when I lived there. It's a vestige of the '50s - the old local 5 and dime. Think "if I needed Groucho glasses, where would I go?" Probably something you'd be more likely to find in North OC or the Inland Empire.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

That's not what he's looking for. I know exactly what he's talking about and don't recall a store like that anywhere in South OC when I lived there. It's a vestige of the '50s - the old local 5 and dime. Think "if I needed Groucho glasses, where would I go?" Probably something you'd be more likely to find in North OC or the Inland Empire.

Oh, I don't know if any of those are around. I wonder if this would help in a pinch since they have weird gifts for under $5.00?

Gifts Under 5 Dollars - Affordable Gifts*-*Party City

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Isn't that just a clothing store? I think he's referring to what we used to call a dime store. Where I live now we have one called the Variety Store. Some local hardware stores also used to offer stuff like that. I recall one in Laguna (Coast Hardware?) and another in Newport that did. Not sure if they still do though.

Urban Outfitters has a ton of retro and throwback gifts:

Life of the Party - Urban Outfitters

[pacific2]

It's definitely not like a 5&10, but Cost Plus World Market also has unusual gifts and could be worth a visit. I have been to this place and really like it.
Gifts Under 30 Dollars - Affordable Gifts, Inexpensive Gifts | World Market

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

That's not what he's looking for. I know exactly what he's talking about and don't recall a store like that anywhere in South OC when I lived there.

23 years ago?

[CAVA1990]

Coincidentally I was in our version of it here today.