Stepping into Angela Torin’s Hampstead Village is like being transported directly to a tony boutique in the British Isles. Moving into La Arcada Court in downtown Santa Barbara this month she has renovated the two-story place located between Waterhouse Gallery and Petit Valentien restaurant.
Fixtures with rich wood trim, beautiful glass cases, fabric window coverings and shelves filled with goodies from the U.K. fill the space. With public parking right next door to La Arcada Court, it’s a breeze to get in and out of downtown without the hassle.
Hampstead Village will trigger nostalgia for food stuffs and noteworthy English lines, some which date back to 1870, such as Penhaligon’s of London perfumes, Taylor of Old Bond Street Gentlemen’s Toiletries (established in 1854), Halcyon Days Enamels of London, handmade teapots by Carter of England, Emma Bridgwater Pottery, Nicholas Mosse Pottery (handmade in Ireland), Galway Crystal Spode china, Corinna Gordon jewelry, and Jill Temkin designs.
I toured around the shop with Ms. Torin, an active supporter of both the Breast Cancer Resource Center and the ADL of Santa Barbara. With her British accent and enthusiasm for her first-time business, she says the Women’s Economic Ventures program helped her gain the confidence and knowledge to open the shop. Her inventory includes coffee table books ranging in topic from English country homes to the Beatles, cookery books from Ireland and Scotland, travel guides to the U.K. and much more.
English children’s classics such as “Winnie the Pooh”, “Mary Poppins”, and Paddington Bear are also for sale; in the new year Torin will be reading some of these treasures on Sunday Afternoons in front of her fireplace, a tradition started with her own son Alex, now a student at San Marcos High School.
Cuddly and soft London policeman bears, Scottish pipers and heart shaped “I love London” pillows are scattered around the shop. And of course what would an English sop be without a huge collection of food from Cadbury’s, Mars bars, Walkers and all the favorite British tea, jams, biscuits, mustards, cakes, puddings and mince pies.
Hampstead Village is located at 1114 State Street, Suite 10. Call 805-845-3343 or visit her website at www.hampsteadvillageusa.com for more information.
