Community Gift Guide: 4 places to shop for gifts in Barrio Logan

In and around Barrio Logan, the Chicano culture is vibrant with lowrider cars, murals at Chicano Park and the stories of activism told by the people who live here. But this neighborhood also has several small businesses where the public can shop for presents, such as clothing shops, a bookstore and a music shop.

Plus, on the second Saturdays of each month, the Barrio Art Crawl goes from noon to 8 p.m. On this day, the public can find independent artists teaming up with local businesses to sell their artwork in their shops and on the sidewalk of Logan Avenue.

Here are four places to consider on your next shopping trip.

Art Hub

What is so distinctive about the Art Hub is that it’s a building filled with small studio spaces where over a dozen local artists create art pieces and sell their products and services. The public can find toys, paintings, wood fixtures, clothing and accessories from artists such as Mezarte, Art by Stahl, Optimus Volts and Local Brown Baby. There are also a few gift shops at the Art Hub selling various Mexican-inspired jewelry, hats and artwork. 2151 Logan Ave., San Diego. instagram.com/arthubmakers

Beat Box Records

Beat Box Records is a music lover’s paradise. This music shop contains numerous rows of organized new and used vinyl records, cassette tapes and compact discs that can most likely please any music aficionado. Genres available include funk, soul, Mexican pop, Cumbia and hip-hop. Guests can also listen to the used materials before buying. In addition, the shop sells music posters and other music collectables. 2148 Logan Ave., San Diego. 619-306-4493, instagram.com/beatbox_records 

Libélula Books & Co

A community hub filled with walls of books from Black, Indigenous, People of Color and LGBTQ+ authors can be found at Libélula Books & Co. Co-owner Jesi Gutierrez said the books in the shop are curated to include wide range of subjects like activism, autobiographies, music, romance and spirituality. Visitors can also find knick-knacks and accessories such as enamel pins, bracelets, postcards, stickers and patches. There are also a few seating areas with chairs and couches where shoppers can read or hang out with friends, like the neighborhood kids do after school, Gutierrez said. And if you are a cat person, you might see the store’s unofficial mascot, Cero (zero in Spanish). 950 South 26th St., San Diego. 619-775-4040, libelulabooksandco.com 

Sand Sandals

For those looking for women’s and children’s clothes and shoes from Mexican artists, there is Sand Sandals. The shop says it works closely with Mexican clothing and shoe makers and carries their artwork in the store for purchase. Some of the items customers can find are blouses, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and sandals with regional Mexican floral embroidery. Sand Sandals looks like a house converted into a storefront with violet purple colors on the outside, a white door, planters and a small multicolor staircase. 2229 Logan Ave., San Diego. 619-829-4074, sandsandals.net