Owner Alyssa McGowen is thrilled to bring stylish apparel, home goods, and accessories for the whole family to downtown shoppers. Named after her three-year-old daughter Skylar Grey, the shop’s title depicts two spellings, which signify an open-ended moniker that includes everyone. Fittingly, window-shoppers will notice a variety of selections when they see a motorcycle, men’s wear, and a vintage gas pump on one side and children and women’s clothing and items on the other side.

This mini department store offers a wide-range collection of eclectic products for shoppers of all ages. When asked about the favorites of regulars, Alyssa responded with what she lovingly calls “littles,” which are popular among grandparent customers. She also noted that cute gift items perform well. “We always ask if it’s a gift because we offer complimentary gift wrapping and the answer jokingly is usually “yes, this gift is for me.”

Inspired by California living, one can even prepare for a party with cocktail mixers including margaritas, cranberry cosmos, palomas, and espresso martinis. The store also carries glassware, flamingo cocktail picks, and lavender straws to top off a festive event. Lavender has a sentimental place in Alyssa’s heart because she was proposed to at 123 Lavender Farms in Cherry Valley. She was therefore surprised and thrilled to see the lavender company at one of her trade show excursions. 

In keeping with the store’s theme and not following trends, the Skylar & Skyler’s logo is an abstract version of the California Poppy.

This family-oriented shop is also a family affair. Alyssa and her sister, Nicole, started out with their original concept to sell high-quality, sustainable, non-toxic, plastic-free, vegan products. Nicole has since become a full-time teacher but pops in from time to time to offer her support. Alyssa’s mother, Marisol, can regularly be seen in the store, and her brother Damian does all the necessary work behind-the-scenes. Along with her family member employees, Alyssa’s best friend from high school, Jenelle Barriga, is the manager.

Alyssa’s well-rounded background gives her an entrepreneurial edge. She was president of the fashion club in high school, and she earned an Interior Design degree at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandise in Orange County and Los Angeles. She worked in interior design for six years. Her hobbies include photography and sewing. She even decorated the dressing rooms with her black and white seascapes and custom drapes. Her beach scenes and a photo of her dad’s Bronco, which was at the recent San Clemente Car Show, can also be seen in a slide show exhibit behind the counter on the shiplap wooden background. She lives in Corona with her husband, Justin, and their three-year-old daughter Skylar.

It’s timely that Alyssa and this publication share an anniversary of their birth. She was born in November, 30 years ago, and the San Clemente Journal celebrates 30 years in this issue.

One can go online to view the varied products of home goods, unique attire for men and women, hats, sunnies, littles, shoes, and bath and body products, plus much more.