



Sunny skies, cool temperatures and bright fall colors provided the perfect backdrop on Saturday, Nov. 7 for a special holiday pop-up boutique, hosted in Oakdale and featuring plenty of Escalon participants.
Coordinated by Hudson Photography and jBloom Designs by Ilda – Ilda Medina – the event drew a large crowd of shoppers and featured photos with Santa as well.
Among the local Escalon vendors on hand were John and Krysten Lial with The Rustic Flea, Jenee Lattig and Justina Percey with their Flowers by Jenee & Justina business, jBloom Designs by Ilda, Christina’s Scentsy and Craft Creations, just to name a few.
The boutique ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“I organized it with Tina Lucas,” explained Medina. “I had started selling the jBloom Designs and I did an event in Escalon about a month ago, so many people showed up.”
That made Medina think a similar ‘pop-up’ would work well in Oakdale, especially when combined with the chance for photos with Santa at the Hudson Photography location.
“It has been great,” she said with a smile.
Also, she noted, the vendor fee of $20 – collected from each vendor taking part – will be donated to a local non-profit.
“We reached out to vendors, this kind of helps get the word out about these businesses; many have social media and here, they can get more leads,” Medina explained.
She was especially pleased to see some youngsters taking part, with a couple of teen-led booths.
“I love to see these young entrepreneurs,” she said.
For Krysten Lial, she and husband John were taking it all in, setting up for their first show.
“We’re both pretty crafty,” she explained. “I just like a really rustic, farmhouse look, I have an idea, I tell John about it and he makes it.”
From fabric covered pumpkins for fall decorating to small hand crafted wood houses, they were both happy with the items they had to showcase and were pleased with the crowd coming through on Saturday.
“We sell primarily through Instagram,” added Krysten.
Ron Shaw had a table full of handmade wood items from cutting boards and coasters, decorative hot pads to charcuterie boards. He utilizes a combination of many different woods and said, right now, it is a hobby, something he does in his spare time.
At the area hosted by Jenee Lattig and Justina Percey, they had their fresh flower bouquets and many holiday items.
It was their first formal holiday event of the year as well, though they were able to do a wedding a few weeks ago and continue to run their business via Instagram, Facebook and text.
But for those shopping, taking photos with Santa, enjoying some food and sweet treats at the various booths on Saturday, it was good to get out into the fresh air, see people and check some names off the holiday shopping list.
“I think we’ve had a great turnout,” said Medina.