Shop the Seal Beach boutique this holiday season.
Credit: Irvin Rivera
Colvin English (pictured on the right) and Steven Armijo opened Jennings & Allen in 2017, bringing pieces from around the world to Orange County. Customers can shop a variety of products, such as an organic lavender body care line, handprinted kitchen linens, and Native American wood carvings. Every weekend throughout the holiday season, guests can enjoy a cup of hot cider while they peruse the boutique’s unique offerings. “Our customers’ support and appreciation for handmade products is what has made us successful in creating this venue for showcasing artisan work,” English says. We sat down with him to find out more about the Seal Beach boutique.
How did you start Jennings & Allen?
We started Jennings & Allen as a way to celebrate and promote the artisan friends we have made in our travels and work around the world. Steven is a licensed clinical social worker always fighting to improve the lives of marginalized groups, and I have a consulting company that helps artisans find new markets. Collectively, we have worked in more than 50 countries.
Why did you choose to open your boutique in Seal Beach?
Main Street in Seal Beach was the perfect choice for Jennings & Allen as it really caters to the local community and tourists who come back year after year. Our customers are interested in supporting the artisans we work with and knowing the stories about how we met them, which is a big part of our mission, the human connection. Currently we have products from 26 countries, six U.S. states, and the Navajo Nation.
What can customers expect when they come to shop in your store?
Customers can expect beautiful, handcrafted goods at a fair price that ensures artisans are able to survive and thrive. All of the products we carry are handmade, and we have a direct connection to the artisan or organization we work with.
How do you choose which products to source for your store?
First and foremost, we love all the products we carry in our store and use them in our own home. And, of course, the direct connection to the artist. With few exceptions, we have visited our artisans in their communities to see where and how they work. If we haven’t visited them in their workshops, we have met them in person at another venue, such as an artisan fair.
What are the most popular products?
Coming into the holidays, our line of ceramic ornaments from Guanajuato and our hand-stitched fashion accessories from India, including brooches and silk scarves, are always popular gift items. Our pine needle basket line is also one of our top sellers, both for collecting and gift giving.
Do you have any favorite stories about the handmade products?
All of our products come with such great personal experiences, it is hard to choose just one. In several cases, we have known and worked with our producers for over 25 years. When you come to our store, we cannot help but tell you about the artisans. We love sharing our experiences and love even more when you go visit them yourself. Probably the most exciting thing for us is when we give customers an “artisan itinerary” for a trip they are taking, and they come back to see us and tell us all about their experience meeting one of our friends.
132 Main St.
Seal Beach
562-430-1882