A second home for Roost General Store happened on May 17 of this year at 210 N. El Camino Real in San Clemente. After successfully running her namesake store in Windsor, California for five years, owner Therese Gabaldon decided to open a new store, but nothing was clicking in the Northern California area. On a road trip early this year and with a recommendation from her long-time friend, San Clemente local, Heather, Therese fell in love with the town. She knew this was the perfect fit after walking around with her husband. “It just feels right. It’s all about community,” said Therese. And from a store in Sonoma wine country to a south county beach town, Roost found its home.

Heather is now the store manager and is happy to report after a few months that Roost is a big hit. According to Therese, the store is for women who know how to celebrate the things that are good, but aren’t afraid to embrace the ruggedness that life has to offer. Therese puts humor and her favorite lived-in feel into Roost to create a place shoppers can find something they love in a place where they feel like they can stay awhile. When asked the meaning of the store’s name, Therese responded, “It’s a modern twist on a general store and roost is a synonym for home.” She knows what she likes, and she wanted to create that feeling. 

Coffee beans are a staple at the general store. Her sister, Stevie, does the roasting, and Therese helps with the selection of the beans, which insures the freshness. Roost offers a coffee tasting to customers on the weekends from 10am-1pm.

Much like an old-time general store, Roost offers home goods and pantry staples including tea, Sonoma sauces, honey and organic spices. Some of the popular items include clothing, leather handbags, Topaz and Pearl jewelry and farmhouse white ceramics. Another bonus for future and current customers is the sip and shop event on the third Thursday of every month featuring wine from Sonoma County and in-store promotions.  

Therese loves to say she speaks sarcasm and has a laughter philosophy. If it’s snarky and makes her laugh, it has to come into the store. Humor can be found in greeting cards, notepads, and dish towels.

She and her husband, Scott, live in Windsor, California with their sons Marcus and Garrett. They are celebrating their 32nd anniversary in August. Her hobbies include fishing and hunting with her family plus she is a registered Yoga teacher and attends retreats.

Meandering through Roost can be time well spent, and very rewarding.