Best Buy

Greer Wylder

The Guitar Shoppe is the ultimate for guitar aficionados. Manager John

Heussenstamn says at 28-year-old store is Laguna’s oldest shop. The shop

makes custom guitars, offers lessons, has its own museum and is one of

the few shops in the world that does elaborate repairs. Famous guitarists

such as Jose Feliciano, Lauren Hill, Muriel Anderson, John Sebastian and

Richie Sambora, entrust one of the two custom guitar craftsmen to make

their guitars. Laguna locals, Mark Angus and Kirk Sand custom make

guitars in the range of $2,000 to $6,000. Guitar lessons are taught in

the shop for $20 per half hour and all of the instructors are

professional musicians. Periodically there are also concerts inside the

shop. The Guitar Shoppe is at 1027 North Coast Highway. Information:

497-2110.

Everything you need for scuba, snorkeling and swimming is available at

Laguna Sea Sports. The specialty shop sells and rents scuba equipment,

snorkeling gear and has its own pool on sight for swimming lessons and

scuba certification courses. For kids who need swim lessons for summer

there are “safe swim” classes for all ages. The classes are designed for

beginners and advanced swimmers. The instructors will teach water

exploration, primary skills, stroke readiness, stroke development, stroke

refinement, skill proficiency, advanced skill training and pool safety.

Private, semiprivate and group lessons are offered. Laguna Sea Sports is

at 925 North Coast Highway. Information:494-6965.

Kim Fiscus Home carries home furnishings with a European feel, and has

exclusive linens from France that you can’t find anywhere else in the

U.S. On Wednesday there’s a trunk show featuring Kathleen Denoual’s hand

embroidered linens for the table and bed. Kim Fiscus Home also is well

known for its 17th, 18th and 19th century prints that she’s purchased in

New York, and for her Astier pottery from Paris that’s handmade and

imported twice a year. The next shipment arrives in August. There’s also

a line of new furniture that’s mostly done in ebony, and are

reproductions of antique pieces. Other home furnishings available include

French fabrics, pillows, garden pieces, lighting, candles, French

antiques, tables and chairs. Kim Fiscus Home is at 1233 North Coast Highway. Information: 464-9612.

Gallery One Antiques, Orientals and Interior Design carries a huge

selection of oil paintings done by 30 European artists that are featured

in the shop. The selections of paintings are so plentiful that you’ll

have to thumb through the stacks resting on the floor to see them all.

Some are framed, other’s are not. There are also all kinds of china,

crystal, mirrors and silver in the shop. Gallery One is at 1220 North

Coast Highway. Information: 494-4444.

If you’re looking for bargains on clothes, there’s Clothes Minded. The

shop is filled with clothing that’s prices at $15 or less. Inside, you’ll

find girls clothing including swimsuits (both pieces), shorts, capris,

jeans, dress pants, pants, shirts, dresses and belts. It’s at 252 Forest

Ave. Information: 376-2015.

Bikini shoppers will find what they’re looking for at Merrilee’s

Swimwear. The shop carries mix and match bikinis in solids and prints,

and there’s also a nice selection of clothing from Mavi and French

Connection. There are also sunglasses, belts and shoes ideal for summer

wear. Merrilee’s is at 790 South Coast Highway. Information: 497-6743.

Blue Gardenia is a haven for finding antique garden statuary and

lighting fixtures. The antique shop carries chandeliers, statuary, garden

pieces, art, mirrors, tables, urns, birdbaths and fountains. The shop

does not keep regular business hours; it’s open by appointment or by

chance. It’s at 120 North Coast Highway. Information: 497-3636.