At first glance, Tin & Velvet seems as if it belongs next to Brighton, Things Remembered or some other kitschy mom store. The name and slogan (A Shop of Delight) implies miniature garden bicycles or charm bracelets. But if that were the case, Tin & Velvet wouldn't be inside the Community shopping center in Anaheim.
“Things here can be a little edgy, but with a big sense of humor,” explains shop owner Jeanmarie Horwath. Even though she can't stand the term “shabby chic,” Tin & Velvet sits nicely in that juxtaposition of cute and rough around the edges. Once inside the shop, it's hard to not squeal at every little thing. Horwath worked in retail for most of her life, and the experience shows in her bold curation of candles made from beer bottles, Grumpy Cat cups, trendy handmade cards, beautiful tea towels and genuine Jung Koch Quentell prints. It's nearly impossible to walk away without a purchase from the 400-square-foot store. It doesn't hurt that Horwath is just really, really sweet, either.
The idea for the store was inspired by the two years Horwath and her husband lived in England. “You'd walk into these small shops,” she says, “and they wouldn't order the best seller; they'd buy the weird thing.” And while Horwath does carry popular brands such as Rifle Paper Co., she mostly orders pieces that make her laugh.
A good time to visit Tin & Velvet is during Community's Ugly Sweater shopping event on Dec. 13. There will be food, drinks, karaoke and the most hideous Christmas sweaters the Horwaths can find. And you might actually find a mini garden bike, too—but it will definitely be a cool one. See you there!
