By Henri Migala

December 4, 2021 (El Cajon) – Within a couple of blocks in downtown El Cajon, you’ll find an array of new boutiques, a salon, galleries, gift stores, a pastry shop and a coffee shop – all brand new.

For your holiday shopping needs, consider supporting our local economy and these new small businesses, many offering unique goods from around the world reflecting the owners’ multicultural backgrounds. 

This is part 2 in our series on new local retailers in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

November 19, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – This holiday shopping season amid a pandemic, we’ve scoured the shops and online stores across San Diego’s East County to find our recommendations for gift items unique to our region.  Our picks include many artisan and locally hand-crafted treasures, farm-fresh humanely raised foods, delicious sweet treats, warm and stylish wearables, and gifts that benefit local nonprofits including a wildlife sanctuary. This year, we’ve chosen many places offering online ordering  as well as locations allowing ample social distancing.

December 2, 2014 (Chula Vista)--Detectives from the Chula Vista Police Department Crimes of Violence unit are raising donations from fellow officers and Department employees to provide the children of a murder victim some holiday gifts. Leonor Castillo was murdered by her ex-husband (the children's father) when he ran her over in a jealous rage on Friday November 28th on Elm Ave in Chula Vista. The suspect turned himself in at the Mexico border last night and was booked into County Jail on charges of Homicide.

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --  Looking to support our local economy while choosing special holiday gifts? We’ve scoured East County to find truly unique gifts made and sold locally. What could be finer than to receive an alpaca sweater spun and woven with locally grown wool? Or a hand-stitched quilt, locally crafted jewelry  or a delectable freshly baked dessert? Perhaps your gift recipients would savor local wines grown in the Old World style, camel milk soaps scented with frankincense and myrrh, or intricately hand-beaded  pottery.

Search no more! You’ll find all of these delightful items and more in our “Gifts from the East: 2012 Holiday Shopping Guide” below: