LAMORINDA WEEKLY | business briefs


Dean Shutt at his store, Echo Grove in Orinda's Theatre Square. Photo Sophie Braccini

Unique Gift Shop Opens in Orinda

Echo Grove

2 Theatre Square #112, Orinda

(925) 253-1266, www.echogrovestore.com

Mags Doty and Dean Shutt have opened their first retail store in April. The couple comes from the virtual world; Doty spent 12 years with Cisco, while Shutt was doing online producing. They wanted to work together at something that would be more tangible and real. "We talked about a gift shop and we decided that it would be cool to sell only things that are handmade," says Shutt. "When we choose something it is because it is cool first, then second, it has to have been uniquely made by hand by an artisan." The wide range of gifts can accommodate almost any occasion and includes cards, candles, belts, hats, buckles, iPad covers, beauty and skin products, pottery, diaper bags, dog treat bags, reusable sandwich bags and a few things for children. "It's been a lot of fun," says Shutt, who is in charge of sales, displays and building the fixtures in the store; Doty handles the purchasing. The two entrepreneurs are learning by doing. "We've read a couple of books and just started doing it," says Shutt. "We chose Orinda at first sight and so far it's worked really well." Echo Grove is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; it is located in Theatre Square, halfway between Sweet Dreams and Barbacoa.

News from the three Chambers of Commerce

Lafayette

Chamber mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11 at The Mechanic, 3328 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Rock the Plaza from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on June 6, 13, 20, and 27 at the Lafayette Plaza Park. Find a detailed program at www.lafayettechamber.org.

Save the date for the July Mega Mixer at Cal Shakes with six chambers of commerce, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9 at 100 Shakespeare Way, Orinda.

Moraga

Save the date for the all-day Moraga Chamber Golf Tournament to be held July 14. For more information, go to www.moragachamber.org.

Orinda

Chamber mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 at RPM Mortgage, 51 Moraga Way #2, Orinda (across from CVS Pharmacy).

Ribbon cutting for Echo Gove from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 at 2 Theatre Square #112, Orinda.

Save the date for the first Chamber Bruncheon, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17 at Barbacoa in Theatre Square. Enjoy delicious brunch food while meeting with the board of directors and ambassadors, hear the annual report presentation, and get the latest chamber news. RSVP to Candy Kattenburg at info@lamorindachamber.org; the cost is $10.