Doing things differently

SHE IS:

Building on a legacy left by her son.

HER GUARDIAN ANGEL

When Margie Moore works in her store, every now and then she can

hear her son, Steven, tapping his foot and asking, “Mother, what are

you doing?”

Even though she lost him seven years ago, she laughs, knowing that

his spirit watches over The Bungalow, which they opened together in

May 1993.

“This was my son’s idea,” she said, sitting in a room that smells

of gardenias and candles. “I came out here to get the store opened,

never dreaming it would be successful.”

When Steven moved from Los Angeles to Laguna, Moore packed up her

life in Kentucky so she could help him with his lifelong dream of

owning a store in town. She watched him become a well-loved figure in

their new community and, for the first time, realized how truly

talented he was. Although she had been a pharmacy technician and had

never worked in a retail business, much less run one, it became her

lifeline after he passed away.

“Having the business kept me going,” she said. “I don’t know what

I would’ve done. He left me a legacy.”

EVERY PIECE TELLS A STORY

Moore cherishes the relationships she has built with those who use

their imaginations, paint brushes and elbow grease to create the

pieces in her store.

For each painting, mirror and cabinet, and even a flameless

candle, she has a story about the person who created it. Moore can

remember when she discovered the rose paintings by acclaimed artist

Christie Reposy or when she first started buying the customized

furnishings from a couple that lives in Idyllwild. She’ll be

attending the wedding of Danny Smith, a 26-year-old artisan who makes

furnishings out of antique pressed tin.

“I have a lot of creative people I’ve been involved with,” she

said. “I’m very blessed.”

JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Although “the look” of the store has changed from the rough hewn

pieces Steven favored to a delicate and sometimes funky cottage

style, the spirit of openness and friendliness is the same. Moore

works with one of her closest friends, Connie Reynolds, whose sister

also works in the store part time.

“This isn’t a typical store,” said Reynolds, who has been friends

with Moore since 1999. “People like to come by and visit. They’re

always welcome even if they don’t buy.”

Moore strives to accommodate all of her customers, from those who

walk up from the beach to celebrities such as Diane Keaton and Ted

Danson.

“It’s never black and white,” Moore said. “If you only have $10

and want to put something on lay away, I’ll do it.”

Moore gestured to the sleeping infant entrusted to her and

Reynolds while mom explored the store.

“We do things a little differently here,” she said.

-- Story by Mary A. Castillo;

photo by Sean Hiller