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Business & Tech

Salmagundi Arts and Crafts Supplies: An Eclectic Treasure Trove

This downtown Lemon Grove business is a place where creativity comes to life.

For 32 years, Salmagundi owner Jean Shelton has operated this unique arts and crafts supply store in Lemon Grove. The place is a delicious cornucopia of crafting items. This became perfectly clear when Shelton showed me the “eyes” rack—a collection of hundreds of different styles of glue-on eyes for your next creative creation.

According to several dictionaries, the word salmagundi is of French origin, and can mean a disparate assembly of things forming an incoherent whole. Boy, they got the name right on this place—a mammoth mixture of things you can make into other things.

I asked Shelton how the business was doing.

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“The large chain stores have hurt sales. But when customers come in they find we have a larger selection than most of the bigger places,” she said.

Definitely, the store carries an unbelievably diverse number of items that others don't.

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She explained another important difference between her store and the big guys. When children have their fourth-grade “build a mission” school project, they can buy a kit at the big place—or they can visit Salmagundi to creatively pick the individual pieces to make their early California Mission.

The first option shows you can follow directions. The second allows you to flex your mind.

This is a store where you can find just about anything crafty. The shelves are bulging, and Shelton said if an item was not in stock, she could probably order it. There are larger stores, but I doubt if you could find this kind of selection, service, and even advice, all delivered with a smile. Additionally, jewelry making classes with professional teachers are offered on Saturdays from 1–3 p.m. for a reasonable $10 fee.

After visiting yesterday, I am going to take my 11-year-old daughter to Salmagundi. We are going to make a doll from scratch. First we’ll pick a head from the dozens of choices, then add a body, wig, eyes, eyelashes, dress, shoes, and maybe a pair of doll eyeglasses, since my daughter wears glasses. She was giddy when I told her of my plan.

is located at 7765 Broadway, between Olive and Main Streets. The store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed on Sunday. You can call 619-462-0123 for more information. This is a real old-time store where only cash or personal checks are accepted.

This is a special place—check it out.

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