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If you ask Diane Staples what inspired her to start RETREAT four years ago, it was her passion for promoting artisan handcrafted work and handmade items, a passion she cultivated while buying for specialty shops for over 20 years.
Retreat does has an active Instagram and Facebook presence, helping in promoting their products. But on a deeper level, the South Pasadena-based handcrafted jewelry shop does not entertain online orders, opting for a more personal touch aligning with the special and unique items the store carries.
“The reason why I don’t do online sales is the nature of the handcrafted items,” says owner Staples. “It’s really important for me to let the customer know information about the artists, such as how the items are made, and who the artist is… and doing that online takes away that whole experience.”
It’s that respect for the artist that Staples and her staff at the store nurture, the same thing that keeps customers coming back for new discoveries. And new items always appear regularly, mostly from local artists who have been part of the Retreat family for years.
At Retreat, Staples loves creating a fun and memorable shopping experience for her customers and curating a variety of merchandise that excites her guests.
By offering a personalized shopping experience, she seeks to provide excellent customer service and great product selection for everyone.
If she ever does anything online for the business, it’s posting photos regularly on Instagram.
“Typically, when somebody finds the shop, they do hook themselves up to my Instagram,” Staples said. “And that’s pretty much the only way I advertise and how they see some of the work that Retreat carries. And that brings the draw in from other places.”
Guests visiting this specialty artisan craft shop will typically find a large selection of jewelry, men’s and women’s accessories, candles, bath and body products, along with cards, journals, wall art, pottery, ukuleles, books, barware and leather goods.
To find out more about Retreat, visit www.retreatlifestylehome.com or call (626) 639-3365. The store is located at 950 Mission Street in South Pasadena.
To follow Retreat on Instagram, visit www.instagram.com/retreatlifestyle.
