Shopping in St Helena, Napa Valley by Cynthia Rosenfeld
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Napa Valley attracts oenophiles from around the world to its renowned wineries but no one can live on the bottle alone. When the urge to accumulate more than reds and whites strikes, head to the vintage brick storefronts along St Helena’s charming Main Street for an experience some will find as intoxicating as the most potent alcohol.
Arrive early enough to score a parking spot along the tree lined avenue but not before 10:30 a.m. when the doors open at Woodhouse Chocolate (1367 Main Street) a family run confectionery featuring enticing combinations like the cork shaped white chocolate Champagne truffle, milk chocolate passion fruit ganache and the exotic Fiori di Sicilia with orange scented marzipan wrapped in dark cocoa.
A prudent handful of these sinful sweets should provide all the energy needed to forge ahead and into Goodmans (1331 Main Street), a colourful and casual emporium where many of the items feature the store’s slogan “life is good” on tee shirts with quirky flowers and smiling pups, extra plush socks that make ideal airplane wear and even padded boomerangs for impromptu entertainment. Head to the second floor for fashionable bargains like Free People hoodie dresses and thick Native American print blankets in traditional geometric prints.
Help save the world with your purchasing power by stocking up on fleece lined hats hand woven in Nepal, vibrant Ugandan baskets and artisan items from 35 other countries at Baksheesh (1327 Main Street). The fair trade boutique guarantees living wages are paid to all whose wares appear on these colourful and crammed shelves. Meander to the considerable children’s section at the back for easy to pack souvenirs like the delightful Peruvian finger puppets that cover the animal kingdom from butterflies to zebras.
Put one foot in front of the other into Footcandy (1239 Main Street) where talk is of Italian stilettos rather than Chiantis and Cabernets. Pick up this season’s metallic multi-pocket carry-all by Kooba and for the ultimate carry-on, Lambertson Truex leather trimmed canvass tote is a roomy favourite from coast to coast. The latest leopard print Nossa by Manolo Blahnik makes a sexy statement but those with a shoe fetish can show they care by sliding on Casadei’s black and white, red heeled peek-a-boo shoes designed to raise money and awareness for the Thai elephants, with profits allocated to pachyderm rescue in cooperation with Four Seasons Golden Triangle Elephant Camp.
Update your home to the elegance of your new shoes by nipping into Vintage Home (1201 Main Street) where the French country theme is manifest in antique baguette boards once used to cool the long loaves, today ideal for displaying beloved baubles. Grab a handful of kaleidoscope coloured ceramic marbles hand painted in Italy to create a little havoc down the aisles on the flight home or a Diptyque candle to turn any hotel room into a lavender scented haven.
Cross the street for eerily exotic home wares at the very experimental Martin Showroom (1350 Main Street) where a smiling but burned wooden Buddha adorns the counter space and exposed stone walls are hung with salvaged jet parts collected by local artist Gordon Huether. Interior designer Erin Martin scours the globe for inventory that ranges from Yoruba beaded chairs to locally crafted leather bangles.
Continue on to more recognisable merchandise like the latest Ugg boots and bedroom slippers at Pearl (1422 Main Street). Cashmere eye masks give an instant upgrade to any flight and the latest Adriano Goldschmied jeans should temporarily fulfil any denim addict’s obsession with perfection.
Peek into the original Pearl Wonderful Clothing next door (1428 Main Street) for Missoni knits, Trina Turk geometric print tunics and Gabrielle Sanchez’s delicate 18K and semi-precious drop earrings or head back into the chocolate shop directly across the street for far less expensive pleasures.