A jar of black truffle seasoning. Miniature, hand-crafted pottery. Sea salt and jasmine Candles. Dangly, pickle earrings.
For visitors looking to take a little piece of Long Beach home, the city’s independent shops offer a range of gifts and novelties, earning recognition among the highest-ranked U.S. cities for independent boutiques in a 2024 OnDeck study.
Pursue souvenir shopping with confidence and explore the hand-selected collections at two of Long Beach’s long-standing boutiques, where owners have spent years curating goods that reflect their own tastes and have become favorites among locals and visitors alike.
At Blue Windows, every item on the shelf is placed with intention.
Dubbed a “lifestyle” shop by owner, 53-year-old Heather Duncan, the boutique offers a selection that spans from clothing to baby items, kitchen wares, craft cocktail mixes, stationary, jewelry and even a build-your-own stamp wax kit.
From Los Angeles showrooms, to the Patchwork Fair and major gift shows across New York, Atlanta and Las Vegas, Duncan said she sources the shops’ selection herself, with the intention that the material outlasts the initial charm, and it becomes a beloved staple.
“We carry a particular dress line that’s a little more expensive, but I just know when I put it on and others put it on, they feel beautiful in it, and it’ll stay like that for years, ” Duncan said.
According to 39-year-old Assistant Manager Megan Bigos, tourists are often drawn to the shop’s clothes, beach accessories and Long Beach goods, including local artist Sara Pilchman’s tiny handmade clay pots and P.F. Candle Co.
The candle company expanded its operation in Long Beach in 2012, growing into the well-known independent brand it is today.
Next March, Blue Windows will celebrate its 28th year of operation.
Despite its long history on the local retail scene, both Duncan and Bigos said new visitors continue to come through the doors, including tourists visiting Long Beach for work, leisure and beyond.
The two say one of their favorite parts of working at Blue Windows is the opportunity to act as “tour guides,” recommending their favorite shops, restaurants and experiences to visitors.
Since she was a little girl, 52-year-old Jennifer Hill knew she wanted to have her own store.
Growing up in a beauty shop, Hill developed her love for shopping through the hours spent visiting gift shops with her mom, picking out merchandise, pricing it and displaying it for purchase.
Now, 17 years after opening Songbird, Hill practices the same rituals she loved then, and shares them at her boutique on 4th Street, Songbird.
Between the Asian-inspired designs and connections with birds on the teal walls, the contents of Hill’s shop lies in its collection of novelty trinkets, clothing and gifts.
Dubbed as “little curated stories” by Hill, Songbird contains several displays where lovers of cats, dogs, birds, frogs and aesthetics like cute, goth, earthy, circus and beyond can find a home.
It’s a selection, over time, that Hill says has built her a reputation for being a “birthday gift store.”
One way Hill has achieved this reputation for novelty amongst locals is through her attendance to gift and craft shows throughout her life, like Duncan.
Additionally, Hill said she tries to source her items from small batched, woman owned creatives – and avoids Amazon.
“I’ve also prided myself in the past 22 years being on the street in trying to have different things than my neighbors have,” Hill said.
The most popular items in the store, Hill said, come from her cat selection. After that, there’s greeting cards, socks, jewelry and her collections of stickers. Visitors, as well, seem to find love in Songbird’s Long Beach section, with her LBC rings regularly sold out.
Whether it’s now or in the future, visitors can expect to find Songbird on 4th Street. After 17 years, Hill said she has no plans to stop anytime soon.
“I don’t really see myself retiring,” Hill said. “I love what I do and I’m super lucky. I hope I can continue doing this for as long as I want.”
Shop information:
Blue Windows | 5276 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803
Songbird | 2240 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814