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Business & Tech

How to Keep Your Quinceñera Shopping Local

There are lots of great shops in Watsonville to get everything for your big day.

How many of you ever tried planning a Quinceñera and don’t know where to start or even what stores to go to? I searched the streets to help you all find your Quince needs by spending less and staying local.

Automatically people may want to drive over the hill and search the big cities like San Jose or even L.A. for the top-notch quality for all your Quince accessories and needs. But as I explored around the town of Watsonville I soon discovered the many great quality shops that although, may look small, don’t fall short of vast selection.

Many people's perception of Watsonville's shopping options may be a bit discouraging.

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"People think San Jose is a better city to shop because it thrives but what people don’t realize with big cities comes more pricier merchandise and rent, costing people more money instead of staying local and paying less," said Cruz Morales, owner of Watsonville's Fotografia Morales.

To my surprise, there were numerous shops in nooks and crannies of this strawberry-filled land. As I combed the streets there are a lot of little shops of great selection that soon came to light.

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  • If you are looking for your Quince accessories like your ramo (bouquet), tiara, doll or even your bible and rosary, try Mary’s Gift Shop on Rodriguez Street.
  • If you are looking for the perfect dress, Bliss Boutique is the place for you. Located in the Discount Mall, the selection of dresses is beyond what one might expect from this small exterior. All type of formal wear is what you see upon entering—anything from extravagant Cinderella dresses to sleek long cocktail dresses and brand names. Rosa Silva, owner of Bliss Boutique, said she pulls her clients in by “offering the best quality for the lowest prices.” Not only does her store showcase all elegant beautiful dresses for your event they offer tux rentals for the fraction of the cost of most retailers.

Morales, a shop owner for 17 years, also built a diverse selection of quality accessories for any of your important dates. From Quinceñera to weddings, Fotographia Morales offers lots of choices for tiaras, rosaries, bibles and more.

“We all get our products from the same vendors," she said, referring to Bay Area shops. "Why waste gas and pay more when you can pay less and get the same quality here in my shop?"

 

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