The holidays bring in more sales for businesses than any other time of year, making up around 20% of most businesses’ sales. Long Beach is made up of a plethora of local businesses that give the city character unlike any other surrounding city, making it easy to find cool and unique gifts that wouldn’t be found at a commercial retailer.
When you shop locally, $68 out of every $100 goes back to the community which is $25 more than what big businesses put back into the community. Here are eight places to shop for loved ones for the upcoming holidays.
Pulp Fiction- 3925 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804:
Pulp Fiction is a comic book store that has resided in Long Beach for over 20 years. They offer 30% off on all their comic books and 20% off new comics.
“New stuff comes out every Wednesday, it’s been like that for about 20 years,” said owner Ryan Skinner.
The store carries a variety of comics, like popular favorites from DC and Marvel as well as more niche publications. They even have a local section featuring Long Beach artists like Joon the Goon and Warrick Walker .
For those that can’t make it in-store, customers can visit the Pulp Fiction Website where they have a video that will show you how to order comics through their pull box on Previewsworld.
Plantitas- 2011 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814:
Plantitas is a Latinx LGBTQ owned plant shop that opened its first location in 2020 in the Belmont Heights area of Long Beach. The chic aesthetic plant shop now resides on Retro Row and often hosts community events as well as plant workshops for those interested in learning more on how to take care of their plants and get involved in the plant community.
With over 200 plants to choose from, you are sure to find something for the plant lover in your life. The store also carries a wide variety of pots in various colors and hand-made talavera pottery from Mexico.
Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop- 2148 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814:
Living in Long Beach, there’s a very high chance you know someone who owns a pair of roller skates or blades. Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop offers skate accessories, apparel, protective gear and of course, roller skates for skaters at every level.
The shop builds custom skates right here in Long Beach and, “all the shirts are printed locally by skaters,” said store clerk and roller skater Paii Mendoza.
The store is run by roller skaters that are welcoming and more than happy to share their expertise to get you the right equipment you need to cater to the skating experience you want.
Songbird- 2240 E 4th St Long Beach, CA 90814:
Songbird is a gift shop that has items made by over 20 local artists as well as eclectic retail items like mushroom mugs, graphic socks with dinosaurs on them, and desk accessories with clever sayings.
This gift store carries jewelry, accessories, clothing, cards, stuff for kids and stuff for your home. There is a gift for everyone here as it is almost impossible to leave the store empty handed.
Fingerprints Music- 420 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802:
This 8,000 square foot music store is a Mecca in Long Beach for music lovers. The store carries music in mediums such as vinyl, CD and cassette tapes but they also offer more than just albums.
At Fingerprints customers can buy products like t-shirts, stickers, pins, posters, DVDs, books, and music related items.
The store highlights several local vendors and artists in the Long Beach area, and will often carry rare or signed albums as well. The store has several items on sale through the month of December marked with orange tags.
BYO Long Beach- multiple locations:
BYO Long Beach, founded in 2017 offers conscious consumption items meant to help reduce waste and encourage sustainability.
There are four locations throughout Long Beach that sell household items without the plastic, like different bars that each tailor to different uses such as dishes, hair, deodorant, lotion and household items made of bamboo.
BYO also allows you to bring in your own jars and fill them with the items they have you need like toothpaste tablets, laundry detergent, hand soap, and even essential oils.
Recircle Home- 501 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802:
Align your energy at Recircle Home. This is the place to find the perfect gift for any spiritual friends and family. The store offers a variety of crystals, sound bowls, jewelry, and apothecary items.
The owners of Recircle Home make wares straight from their at home workshop here in Long Beach. Recircle Home is located in the East Village Arts District of downtown Long Beach.
Pharmacy Boardshop- 333 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802:
Pharmacy Boardshop is the place for skateboarders in Long Beach as this city has been its home for over 25 years. Pharmacy Boardshop carries skate apparel, accessories, hardware, and skateboarding essentials.
Here skaters can custom build their board and pick up a new outfit while they’re at it. For those who don’t want to go through the hassle of building their own board, Pharmacy Boardshop offers complete set ups often at discounted prices. There is also a sales rack for their apparel with t-shirts for $20.