Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Webster.
Hi Lori, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2007, my husband, Scott, and I purchased a store from his family that had previously been a part of a larger entity. We primarily sold office/school supplies and art products. After the purchase, we changed the store’s direction, realizing that we didn’t have enough volume in our smallish town to support sales of this type of merchandise.
Originally called Webster’s Fine Stationers, we opened in the busy fourth quarter of 2007, on the cusp of the Great Recession. Scott and I decided that we’d partner with local artists to give them an opportunity to sell their paintings and take a lower than average commission to do so. This concept graduated to including locally-sourced gifts, gourmet products, books, ceramics, and digital artwork, in an incredibly diverse collection.
We made this choice because we know that investing in our community leads to its economic success. Spending money locally with independent businesses helps keep money circulating in town longer than spending in multi-national, corporate businesses. Directly aiding in the economic viability of our artistic community is our mission.
In 2013, my husband’s family decided to sell the land Webster’s of Altadena was located on. We moved to a storefront on Fair Oaks Avenue in February of 2014, and we haven’t looked back. Although substantially smaller than our former store, we love its intimacy, tall ceilings, and the color palette. I feel this store lends itself exceptionally well to our themed and seasonal displays. Halloween is our favorite season to pull out all the stops, and is a must-see!
Scott and I invite you to visit Hoopla! Emporium soon, and see some great local products, like Andy Marshall Daley’s brass installations, Clarence Stubblefield’s gorgeous watercolors, cardboard earrings by Cammie Jones, jewelry by Ginny Blasgen, rings by Steven Bassett, Beyond The Olive oils and balsamic vinegar, great greeting cards by Karen Bagnard, The Saigh Sisters, Debbie Swanson Patrick, and more! We also carry fair trade products and sell Christmas Tree Lane merchandise all year long (they get 75% of sales). In addition, we are Altadena’s only UPS shipping provider, and we rent mailboxes with a street address.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggles are real. Getting through the Great Recession with all of our employees was a feat. Having the residents here understand what happened with the original store was/is a challenge. Moving the store was an exceptional challenge right after selling our home and moving back to Altadena. Luckily we survived it all! Now the challenge is an illegal marijuana dispensary that opened 2 doors north of us that makes parking just about impossible. Hopefully, that’s just a temporary challenge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hoopla! Emporium?
Hoopla! Emporium sells locally-sourced books, cards, gifts, and gourmet. Altadena is home to many talented artists, and we’re very proud to highlight as many as we can. From fine artists to food entrepreneurs, we’ve quite the eclectic collection here! We’re also very proud to carry Christmas Tree Lane Association* products all year and give them 75% of proceeds.
*Christmas Tree Lane is the United States’ oldest electrified Christmas Tree display.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Retail is constantly evolving. As a brick & mortar store, it’s imperative that we get our products online, and that’s something we’re addressing this year. In reality, though, I don’t see local shops ever going away. Local business is the backbone of the economy, and there are still enough people that want to see things in person before buying. Folks looking for something not everyone else has will not be disappointed at Hoopla! Emporium.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.shopathoopla.com
- Instagram: @HooplaEmp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Webstersfs
- Twitter: @HooplaEmporium
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hoopla-altadena-2
Image Credits
Image credits: Lori Webster
Popular
-
What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
-
Local Highlighter Series
-
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
-
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
-
Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
-
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
