Rustic Interiors sells home decor and makes gift baskets behind the scenes to raise funds for nonprofit organizations.
Owners Carrie Bryant and Andrea Delgado have sold a variety of items since it opened on Oct. 14. Their 450 square foot store at 603 Main St, Suite 9 is stocked with everything from cookware, candles and creams to blankets and pillows.
Seasonal decorations rotate throughout the year. St. Patrick's Day signs and cushions add to the cheer, while bunnies, tulips and Easter eggs liven up the store. Later in the year, the store will transition to sunflower and lemon decor, 4th of July patriotic items, followed by fall scents and holiday decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Christmas began early last year when Bryant installed metal sleighs, festive bowls, green and red candles, ornaments, pillows and Halloween murals.
"I started giving out Christmas items at Merchants Safe Trick or Treat on October 31st when a friend of mine was giving out candy," Bryant said. "I expect next year to be even better because we're so young that people still found us.
But Rustic Interiors does enough to contribute to its community, Bryant said.
"Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot," he says. “Sometimes we provide services, sometimes we give money. The community has supported our work, so giving back is important.
Recipients include Soroptimist International's Ramona's Bunco charity event on March 25, the Ramona Chamber of Commerce French Chicken Christmas Tree Sponsorship and the Miss Teen/Miss Ramona pageant.
Business owners also enjoy contributing to youth organizations such as the Ramona Pop Warner Packwood Bowl Silent Auction and Ramona Girls Softball through the Ladies Who Lunch organization.
"I feel like there's a lot," Bryant said. "It promotes us and gets our name out there in the community."
Sometimes shopkeepers choose to sell raffle tickets and give away gift baskets that organizations can use as fundraisers. Bryant recently teamed up with Ramona to provide coffee, tea, mugs and a pillow for the Ramona Football League opening ceremony on Saturday, March 11.
Bryant also assembles baskets for customers. You choose a theme and set a budget, and Bryant begins selecting the elements. Along the way, he can text customers images of the content to make sure they're on the right track.
A basket contained a cheese board with cheese knives and candle holders. Some contain items of personal interest that can be given as gifts on special occasions such as birthdays, holidays or holidays. Others he describes as "welcome home" baskets that real estate agents can give new owners when they buy a property.
"It saves them time and creative effort," says Bryant, who provides a container at no additional cost and tapes it shut. "I've done everything for her and there's a little bit on her plate."
Additional merchandise available in-store and online at ShopRusticInteriors.com includes pens and magazines, bridal accessories, pet supplies, and summer-related products. According to Bryant, online shoppers can pay for their purchases online and pick them up in store, or have their purchases shipped directly to the customer.
Unique items that are hard to find elsewhere include Rusted Greeting Cards created by Ramona's Lorri Rieve and Candy Christman; La Crema coffee and tea mugs; and Blends of Bloody Mary, Vanilla Extract, and Bourbon Barrel Co. Bourbon Barrel Aged Teriyaki Sauces from Louisville, Ky.
Bryant, like Delgado, who owns clothing store Uptown Boutique in Ramona, buys some of its goods from local retailers, but most of its inventory comes from wholesale accounts, Bryant said.
Bryant has obligations to his customers. "If it doesn't pass the test of what I use or consume, you won't find it here," he said. "I don't sell anything that doesn't have my seal of approval."
The shop opening times are from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Customers who shop in store on their birthday receive a 10% discount on their entire purchase. If the birthday falls on a Monday or Tuesday, shoppers can visit the store on Wednesday.
Future plans include offering interior design consulting services and DIY courses for home projects.
For more information, call 760-820-5003.
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