The LA Economic Development Corporation estimated that nearly 1900 small businesses were operating within the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn zones. The total number of fire-impacted small businesses in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre remains unknown. Microbusinesses of one to nine employees, typically home-based and owned by women, continue to bear the greatest impact from the fire as fire survivors who lost both their homes and livelihoods struggle to reestablish both in their displacement.
As Supervisor Kathryn Barger stressed, “Shopping and dining locally is one of the most impactful ways residents can help wildfire survivors who are small business owners.” The LA Economic Development Corporation quietly launched their “Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local.” campaign, relying on self-registration of still-standing businesses in the fire zone. Only around two dozen local businesses have registered for their directory. More locally, Webster’s Community Pharmacy, with support from the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, launched the Shop & Dine Altadena For the Holidays campaign, which will air ads on cable and streaming for 12 weeks. However, most of the Eaton Fire community’s smallest word-of-mouth businesses are not connected to these initiatives. A community-based focus on shopping and supporting women-owned small and micro retail businesses can help strengthen our local recovery. We’ve highlighted 20 great shops here, but there are many more that we encourage you to support in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre!
In this guide:
ADAMS PACK STATION | ALTADENA CANDLE COMPANY | ALTADENA COOKIE COMPANY | ALTADENA FARMER’S MARKET| ARRANGEMENTS BY ADELAIDE | BUTTERFLY AND LOTUS | CALLISTO TEA HOUSE | CHAIBAN CERAMICS | CHANTRY 1975 | CKD DESIGN STUDIO | HEART AND SOL DESIGNS | KAT’S MACARONS | KNOTWORK LA | LOVE AND QUARRY | MAYANA’S BODY BUTTERS | OCTAVIA’S BOOKSHELF | PERENNIAL LA | SIDECCA | WEBSTER’S COMMUNITY PHARMACY | ZINNIE’S TABLE AND FLOWER
For Sweets, Treats, and Stocking Treats
- Altadena Cookie Company - 3027 Lincoln Ave, Altadena
After a long-delayed opening, Altadena Cookie Company is baking up a storm. Well-known locally for their custom sugar cookie designs, the new bakery offers a wide variety of cookies and cookie cakes including seasonal gift boxes of their famous iced sugar cookies.
The Altadena Farmer’s Market offers CSA boxes and Altadena merchandise with all proceeds supporting biweekly produce distributions to fire survivors.
Kat is the hardest working independent baker in town, and has been a mainstay at just about every local community event for years. You can’t miss her beautiful, hand-painted French macarons, which she offers individually in a variety of unique flavors or in thoughtfully presented gift boxes. She also takes custom orders, and you can even have your business logo on her macarons for employee and client gifts. My favorite: her adorable apple pie macarons, available now!
For the Perfect Local Gift Baskets
- Adams Pack Station - Chantry Flat, Big Santa Anita Canyon
After the Bobcat Fire shuttered Adams Pack Station for more than four years, damage from the Eaton Fire also dealt them a blow, but they are open and ready to welcome you for Music on the Mountain, a tranquil cafe visit, or shopping for rustic souvenirs and local-made goods, including those featuring their nine famous donkeys. Holiday events and additional retail offerings are still being finalized.
(Products also found locally at Webster’s Community Pharmacy, Zinzie’s Table and Flower, Sierra Madre Massage Company)
Local custom candlemaker Altadena Candle Company creates fragrances inspired by locations in Altadena. My favorite: aside from the scents in the beautiful holiday gift sets, Canyon Gold perfectly evokes the awesome beauty of the San Gabriel foothills.
- Arrangements by Adelaide - 2595 Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena
Adelaide is a charming neighborhood boutique with a little of everything for thoughtful gifting— fresh florals and garlands, vintage-inspired homewares, unique cards, beautiful statement books, art, a curated selection of fine foodstuffs, and more.
- Callisto Tea House - 1359 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena
There is no better gift for tea lovers than a selection from Callisto Tea House’s expansive catalogue of hand-selected single origin teas, tea pots, and other teawares. A must for Wicked fans: their house-scented Yellow Brick Road osmanthus tea blend.
- Chantry 1975 - 160 E Montecito Unit D, Sierra Madre
Home of the Good Vibe Tribe, Chantry 1975 is the ultimate self-care haven. From artisanal hand-poured candles and decadent body care products to hand-thrown ceramics, Sierra Madre merchandise, and all things sparkly, spangly, optimistic, and doggie, Chantry 1975 is a local gem. Pro tip: run and get the fan-favorite Nutcracker-topped holiday candles before they sell out (and you MUST sniff Santa Slays)!
- Webster’s Community Pharmacy - 2333 Lake Ave Suite D, Altadena
Long-time Altadena staple Webster’s has a beautiful seasonal selection of local artisans’ goods (including some featured in this guide), along with their iconic Altadena Poppy, Beautiful Altadena, and Altadena Strong collections.
- Zinnie’s Table and Flower - inside of Altadena Beverage at 1850-52 N. Allen Ave, Pasadena
Zinnie’s features hand-tied floral bouquets, beautiful gifts, and home goods centered around the dinner party and entertaining. This season, they are loaded up on holiday ornaments, candles, and kitchen and dining goods to make the season extra special. They feature many local makers including several ceramicists and artisans. Fresh flowers arrive weekly and offer pre-made and build-your-own bouquets.
For A Little Sparkle
CKD Design Studio makes handcrafted fine jewelry meant to be layered and enjoyed. Each piece is unique and all beadwork is hand-strung and hand-knotted. You can also find her at the Silver Lake JCC Festival of Lights.
Heart and Sol Designs specializes in hand-stamped metal jewelry and trinkets. You can find her Altadena bracelets ready to buy at Webster’s Community Pharmacy now!
Perennial LA reinvents found objects and materials in sparkling layered epoxy artwork. Gilded jewelry and serving trays, shining cheese boards and platters, and gold-flecked ring dishes all make for chic upcycled gifting.
For Joyful Clothing and Accessory Finds
- Sidecca - 2455 N Lake Ave, Altadena.
Having had their grand opening just in time for the season, Sidecca is THE most joyful Altadena holiday destination! A retro candy-colored sensory treat, everything here is fabulous: size-inclusive women’s clothing, Altadena merchandise, unique ornaments and decor, glittery accessories, the cutest kids’ products that I had to pry my girls away from, and more. You could spend hours shopping here!
For Unique Handmade Art
Chaiban Ceramics sells wheel-thrown functional stoneware. Check out her Instagram or etsy pages for bowls, vases, and assorted jars (and quick, grab that beautiful lustrous copper fermenting jar before someone else does!).
Love and Quarry designs one of a kind Brutalist concrete and resin sculpture. Shop unique accessories and home and garden decor, from incense holders and candelabras to larger bookends and planters.
Knotwork LA sells handbuilt ceramics, from quirky ornaments (check out the bananas—which can be ordered fresh, ripe, or rotten) to extra large pitchers and serving trays. The inlaid nerikomi pieces are particularly expressive.
For Soothing Self Care Goods
Butterfly and Lotus offers custom flower essence blend experiences. After a one-on-one conversation, she connects with plants and their essences to create a custom flower essence tailored specifically to the recipient’s needs.
Mayana’s sells organic, plant-based, all-natural whipped body butters. Thoughtfully handcrafted in small batches with sensitive skin in mind, their nutrient-rich formula is offered unscented or with lavender essential oil.
- Octavia’s Bookshelf - 1353 N Hill Ave, Pasadena
Community staple Octavia’s Bookshelf is one of the last local independent bookstores. Named for Altadena’s most famous resident, pioneering author Octavia Butler, Octavia’s offers an array of diverse literature for readers of all ages, as well as unique curated products to delight any bibliophile. They are participating in the San Gabriel Valley Bookstore Friends Indie Bookstore Passport program, where you can earn a special discount by shopping this holiday season.
Disclaimer: The content shared in our blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
