Ladera Ranch Merchants Offer
Wonderful Valentine's Day Gifts
The 1975 Top 10 hit by Paul Simon -- 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover -- makes one wonder what happened in that relationship that caused the person in the song to want to get away from what once must have been a hot love affair.
Maybe had the individual been a little more attentive to his honey and the relationship they had together, he wouldn’t have wanted to show her the door, which is a great segue into this article.
What better way to show your sweetheart you love her or him than to celebrate Valentine’s Day, which is the one day of the year set aside specifically for lovers.
So the Ladera Times took a look around the city and discovered that many wonderful, unique, and creative gifts can be found right here within the city limits.
Of course, what could be more warmly received than a surprise delivery from the Ladera Flower Shoppe, in the Mercantile West Shipping Center located at Mercantile Way off Sienna Parkway. A dozen long-stemmed red roses are traditional, but roses come in may colors including pink yellow, according to store owner and operator Kelly Santos who says Valentine’s Day competes with Mother’s Day as the flower industry’s biggest day of the year.
In addition to roses, the store offers a full variety of cut flowers and potted plants, as well as unique home decor accessories, and handmade Downey’s Chocolates.
Kelly, displaying a bouquet of cut flowers in the photo on the right, can be reached at (949) 429-1788.
That said, nothing serves as a greater reminder of your everlasting love and commitment than a gift of beautiful fine jewelry and Ladera Ranch is fortunate to have in Barbara Parker (shown on the left) one of the top jewelry designers in the country. 
Barbara Parkers Custom Designs, located at 111 Corporate Drive in Ladera Ranch, offers custom and traditional jewelry from $150 and up. “And it is important to note that my prices are half of what you would pay in a typical jewelry store, so you’re getting exceptional value along with extraordinary customer service,” said Barbara, whose private showroom is open to her customers by appointment only.
“One of the services I provide my customers is that their loved ones can come to my showroom and pick out a selection of favorite items in a variety of price ranges and, when they need a gift for a special occasion, they can select from a menu of their sweetheart’s favorites,” she said.
Barbara, who will also come to her customer’s home or office, can be reached at (949) 388-6636, (BarbaraParkers.com). Speaking of gems, when it comes to fine clothing nobody offers better value than Romano Palma, owner of Romano’s in Mercantile West.
Featuring business and evening wear, as well as active wear, Romano, shown in the photo above, offers high-end old-world customer tailoring for both men and women at ready-to-wear prices.
Throughout February, for example, Romano’s is selling fine men’s suits that would normally sell for $800 and $900 for $299 and $399 each. And similar discounts are being offered in women’s fashions.
He has a second store in Plaza Antonio in Rancho Santa Margarita, with a third store, Cabana, next door, both operated by his wife Rita Palma. Romano’s can be reached at (949) 218-3535 (suitshopper.com).
Just two doors away from Romano's in Mercantile West is Tuvalu, which owner Laurie Alter calls a “home environment store,” offering home furnishings and accessories, unique gifts, and novel concepts and collections (see photo below).
“We develop custom looks and vignettes for our customers,” said Laurie, who added that the store has designers available for in-house consultation.
“We’re proud of the fact that men are very comfortable in our stores,” she said, pointing out that she has a second store at 295 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach. Call Laurie at the Ladera Ranch store at (949) 429-5671 (Tuvaluhome.com).
If you looking for something unique and special in active wear for your honey, visit the Canopy Alley Boutique in the Bridgepark Plaza at the intersection of Crown Valley Parkway and Cecil Pasture Road. The store, owned and operated by Krysta Marvin, features clothing and jewelry and Page Premium denim jeans as well as another other highly popular brands. Krysta is shown on the left adjusting a rhinestone heart necklace on a crochet and print tunic display. Call Krysta at (949) 347-6908 (CanopyAlley.com).
And for the collector of fine art, World Art Gallery in Mercantile West offers original paintings, blown glass and bronze sculptures, and limited edition reproductions by artists from all over the world.
In the photo on the right are two paintings by Manaz, a hand-blown glass by Dutch Schultze, and a limited edition bronze sculpture by Sherri McEuen Owner and director Gloria Gales can be reached at (949) 429-1414 (WorldArtPublishing.org). Of course, the perfect way to exchange gifts with your sweetheart is over an exquisite dinner and drinks, and Ladera Ranch is blessed with many fine dining establishments offering a wide variety of cuisines, including:
In Mercantile West Shopping Center: Beachfire Bar & Grille (949) 542-7700, beachfire.com; Infusion (949) 364-1100, infusionladera.com; Picante (949) 364-7100; and Roma D’Italia (949) 276-5712.
In Mercantile East Shopping Center, at 27000 Antonio Parkway: Kanpai Sushi (949) 429-2772, kanpaisuski.net; and Newport Rib Company, (949) 364-9111, ribcompany.com.
In Bridgepark Plaza: Bamboo Bamboo (take out for a private tryst at home) (949) 365-8777 bamboobamboo.com.
