5 Places to Shop Local in San Juan
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, CJ Travel Editor
Memorialize your San Juan sojourn with a keepsake from one of these stores, where you’ll find authentic, exclusively Puerto Rican items. Because if you don’t bring anything back from your Caribbean travels, how will you know you’ve been?!
Concalma
Head to Calle San Francisco in Old San Juan and snag one of this trendy tienda’s signature canvas totes. Choose from several styles including the classic double-strap Mercado tote and the brand new Mochilla, which converts from a capacious zip-up tote to a backpack.
Olé
There’s only one place to score a straw topper in this town and it’s this tiny Calle Fortaleza trove. Choose your lid from Guillermo Jeffs’ inventory of thousands of genuine Panama hats, then have it custom fitted and personalized with the ribbon of your choice.
Pure Soul
This corner boutique sells an array of flowy cotton and linen clothing and handcrafted accessories. But we particularly love these hand-stamped aluminum cuffs that are as stylish as they are inspirational.
Localista
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that this pop-up shop at the new Condado Vanderbilt will be there long past its scheduled end-of-February closing date. Where else will we find such an expertly curated selection of clothing, furniture, jewelry and accessories from up-and-coming local designers?
Luca
Find minimalist clothing, delicate feminine jewelry and butter-soft small leathergoods in this designer-owned Calle de la Cruz store that offers the best of local independent artisans in an intimate environment.
