If you've followed Flea Style for a while, you know that I've dreamed of opening a store in California for years.
Today, I'm beyond excited to finally share that dream is coming true. This July, we open our first-ever West Coast location in beautiful Laguna Beach, California — my home state and, without question, my favorite place in the world.
Bringing Flea Style to California feels incredibly personal. While Texas will always be home to our brand, California is where my story began. For years, I've imagined what a Flea Style store could look like on the West Coast and how fun it would be to introduce our concept — and The Original Hat Bar — to a whole new group of customers.
The funny thing is, I wasn't actually planning to open a store here yet.
This spring break, I was in Laguna Beach with my kids enjoying family time. One afternoon, while running into the grocery store, I spotted a "For Lease" sign in the window of one of the cutest little boutiques in town. It happened to be right next door to my favorite café, in a location I've walked by countless times over the years.
I immediately called the number on the sign. Then I spent the next month trying to talk myself out of it.
Was the timing right? Did we have the bandwidth? Do we want to take on California’s challenging rules and regulations? Stores require an incredible amount of attention, and I take that responsibility seriously. Every location needs constant TLC, and opening a new store is never something I approach lightly.
After a lot of thought, conversations, and reflection, I ultimately followed my gut and said yes. And I'm so glad I did!
Our Laguna Beach location will be our smallest Flea Style store, coming in at just under 500 square feet. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in personality.
The space oozes charm. It features weathered wood walls, funky angled ceilings, and oversized picture windows that overlook the famous Pacific Coast Highway (yes — we're just one block from the beach). Just like Laguna, it’s artsy, funky, and totally bohemian. The moment I stepped inside, I could see it.
There is no question this will be my favorite store to decorate yet. The aesthetic is 100 percent my style and will blend my California roots with the Texas soul that defines Flea Style. It's a mix of beach town charm, vintage treasures, artisan craftsmanship, and a little bit of western flair — all wrapped into one tiny but mighty space.
I always collect flea market treasures and unique fixtures for current and future stores — so I already had some pieces perfect for these four walls. Our spring Round Top trip was also a goldmine for Laguna finds. I uncovered two incredible black vintage wood-and-mirror bars, an amazing old longboard (yes, a surfboard in the Texas Hill Country!), and the driftwood centerpiece table of my dreams.
Opening our first West Coast store is a huge milestone for Flea Style, and I couldn't be more grateful for the support that has helped us get here. We have a ton of work cut out for us, but also have the team and enthusiasm to expand our brand to more of you to do it.
We officially open in July, and I hope you'll stop by if you're in Southern California this summer. In fact, I'll personally be working in the store this summer and would love to meet you, help style a hat, and welcome you into our newest home.
Hope to see you in Orange County soon!
