About Le Shack

When I was growing up in San Diego in the 70’s and 80’s, Bazar del Mundo was one of my favorite places. Going there meant we were doing something special as a family, usually it was because we had guests in town, so it was a big deal. Best Behavior, everyone, and in 1970's California Dressy Casual finery. 

This warren of shops - all beautifully curated by Diane Powers - https://www.bazaardelmundoshops.com was absolutely incredible and magical to me, and I have very fond memories of perusing the shelves of sophisticated and gorgeous imported home goods - yardage of woven Guatemalan stripes, beautiful African prints, embroidered Mexican textiles and decorative Talavera pottery, confetti glass, neon pom poms and fringe, and always Marimekko somewhere in the mix. There were always tabletop scenarios, all the correct pieces in a place setting: glasses and plates, alllllll the flatware, napkins, tablecloths, all of it was something I was attracted to and wanted (no wonder I wound up selling Foodservice tabletop products for much of my career years).

I was equally fascinated by other imported homegoods stores, and that post-hippie macrame/papasan chair/wicker “look, I made this shelf for my houseplants and turntable with cinder blocks” aesthetic that was endemic to Pier 1 and Cost Plus was always part of my core inspiration for Le Shack.

My plan was to open a retail home goods store that sold a little bit of everything I loved from my past, things that brought up good, comfortable, safe feelings of home.

I have changed a lot over the last four years. I think we all have. And as I write this from a place of safety and comfort, in the final weeks of 2020, a year that was marked by so much...change...for all of us, I think about how almost all aspects of our lives and daily functioning has been radically upended this year and how hard it’s been, but it’s all good...change is good. Always remember that. Even in tragedy, if you can find a good moment or lesson where you saw a positive aspect, you will stay afloat

At the beginning of this year, I had a “career,” and an “industry.” I went to trade shows and trainings and conferences almost monthly. I worked for a large corporation and had a solid, well-paying job. I was in an enviable position and was really lucky, but if I’m to be completely honest, I was very burned out on my profession, and I was struggling to appreciate it. And then Covid came, and destroyed my industry and career with it. And rather than try to “ride it out” I liquidated. Ambulated. Motivated. Pivoted. Moved to a different state and city. And as the pandemic wore on (and the nation began to see protest and anguished calls for racial equality and justice), I thought seriously about what I really wanted to do with myself and my life and decided that I wanted to resurrect what I already started and get Le Shack renewed as an online shop, and, eventually, will open as retail when it’s safe to do so again. But I want to do it on my own terms; I've learned a lot ove the last few years, and Im