Shopping in Garden Grove

Family patriarch Nordy Rockler opened the doors of his first store in 1954 to supply his fellow craftsmen with knowledge, friendly advice, and a large selection of tools for at-home woodworking projects. Now, the chain of retail outlets brims with more than 20,000 tools and specialized woodworking equipment. Next to a steely rainbow of hinges, casters, and screws, a supply of lumber and exotic hardwoods provides planks for building tree houses or just leaving around as a warning to uncooperative trees. The tenor buzz of power tools operated by newly knowledgeable guests drifts from educational sessions on operating equipment and woodworking.

Alan's Lawnmower & Garden Center has supplied local landscapers and homeowners with gardening tools and power equipment for more than 39 years. The shop brims with lawn-mower parts, weed whackers, shovels, and gnome traps from brands such as Billy Goat, Kohler, Honda, and Kawasaki. The onsite repair shop oozes experience with technicians who are able to tune up or repair power tools in about three days or less. They also offer financing programs for customers who need higher-end equipment to tackle trickier jobs or to chop down backyard money trees.

After feeling frustrated by not being able to find the latest styles in the stores of their small town, sisters Rosie and Renee Tenison began designing their own fashion-forward clothing. This set the foundation for their current line of chic Varga boutiques located in Hollywood, Santa Monica, El Segundo, and Huntington Beach. Much like a tracksuit worn by Teddy Roosevelt, their lineup of flowery casual dresses, classy cocktail attire, and figure-flattering skirts, shorts, and pants fuse a vintage aesthetic with contemporary design. The sisters' one-of-a-kind designs have caught the eye of countless celebrities, the Style Network, TV Guide, and KTLA News. Their collection of colorful jewelry, ’50s-era coin purses, and lip gloss also adds a cherry to the top of thoughtful ensembles.

Since 1973, the staff members at Reher’s Florist have put the lush flowers of Southern California to use in custom-designed arrangements for individuals and events. Because of the temperate climate and a countywide snowman ban, Reher’s considers no flower truly out of season. That means that arrangements can include orchids, cattails, and sunflowers year-round in arrangements suitable for celebrations, sympathy, and weddings.:m]]

Cobalt blue, lavender, and turquoise hues pervade the lines of baubles and accents at Primitives, LTD, a jewelry outfit that has been curating a selection of handcrafted pieces since 1988. Created primarily by Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi artists, the shop’s displays are dominated by nature-influenced designs. Artist Alan Kiva handcrafts a line of Zuni opal prayer beads, carving a total of 365 cuts into each bead’s stones to represent hopes for good health, prosperity, and a surfeit of cat videos for each day of the year. The opal inlaid into the beads’ sterling-silver setting comes in colors from frosted pink to green fire and is cut through by a ribbon of clear gemstones, exemplifying the ethereal beauty of many of Primitives’ pieces.

In 1981, Maggie Morgan and her daughter, Maria, opened a clothing boutique together in South Wales. They two fair-haired women named their shop Blondies, and in its window, they displayed a replica of the taffeta gown that Princess Diana wore when she became engaged to Prince Charles a month earlier. Maggie passed away due to lung cancer in 1999, and after moving to the United States, Maria decided to honor her by opening a lingerie shop with the same name as the boutique the two had shared. Additionally, she decided that the newest incarnation of Blondies would hold events throughout the year to benefit cancer research.

Blondies' patrons browse lingerie from 15 manufacturers and bras in sizes 30A through L that Maria custom-fits to ensure they don't fall into the majority of bra-wearers who sport an ill-fitting size. She also embellishes bra straps with Swarovski crystals and designs flowing, jewel-encrusted scarves that can be worn in a variety of ways.