2018 August PASO Magazine

UP FRONT: Good Cause, Great Gifts
Gift shop sales generate funds for Studios on the Park programs
By Meagan Friberg
Discover the Art of Shopping
when you step inside Up Front
Gift Store, located inside Studios
on the Park at 1130 Pine St. in
downtown Paso Robles. This oneof-a-kind
marketplace features
unique, handmade creations including
baskets, greeting cards, ceramics,
glass, jewelry, scarves, wood
products, bags, and more. Find that
perfect gift for a special occasion or
special someone…or treat yourself!
Sales Manager Elaina Stangle
oversees the store, and counts on
Assistant Meagan Robbins and
a slew of volunteers to keep Up
Front running smoothly. Over the
past few years, they have helped
move the store from a smaller space
in the back of Studios to a larger
space that is, well, right up front!
“It’s been amazing to see this
space grow and evolve,” Stangle
said. “Ninety percent of the store
features art by local artists, and
families really enjoy our selection
of children’s items and gifts.”
Support local artists, a local studio, and local programming –
all by shopping and sending friends to shop at Up Front!
Best of all, a gift from Up Front
is also a gift to the local community
– all purchases support arts programming
for children, teens, and
adults including Kids Art Smart.
Good Cause, Great Gifts!
“Our main focal point at Studios
is to support Kids Art Smart,”
Stangle said, “and forty percent of
the sales from Up Front go towards
this; the other percentage goes to
the artists who have their items on
consignment. We are completely
a non-profit organization, so any
donations we receive such as sales
from the store, or sales from the
main gallery, go towards keeping
Kids Art Smart running. During
the school year, a bus shows up
each morning to Studios, and
artists and volunteers donate
their time to bring art to local
children. All of th takes money, of
course. It is an awesome program,
and we are all quite proud to be
part of this.”
Stock is rotated on a regular
basis, with seasonal items added
throughout the year. The colors and
fabrics of the handbags and scarves
change with the seasons, and the
price point on all Up Front items
are easy on the pocketbook!
Stangle and her crew will gladly
wrap up your purchase in seasonal
colored tissue paper, and place it in
a logo gift bag complete with ribbon.
Don’t forget to stock up on
hostess gifts – those holiday parties
are right around the corner! Shipping
options are also available; ask
for details while shopping. For more
information, call 805-238-9800.
Meagan Friberg can be reached
at Meagan@pasomagazine.com
August 2018, PASO Magazine pasomagazine.com | 35