New Children's Boutique Opens on Girard

Karen Dole’s background may be in computer design, but the long-time La Jolla resident’s true talent is in putting smiles on children’s faces.

Since establishing Hillside Artisans Children's Boutique in August 2006, a store that offers children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, Dole has been a consistent figure in the local children’s wear industry. She has a location in Del Mar and another one in Mission Hills.

And on July 1, Dole hosted a grand opening for her third boutique shop at 7874 Girard Ave. in La Jolla.

“We search the world to find the most colorful, fun, safe children's items on the planet for our retail children's boutique,” Dole said in a statement. “We also love to instill in kids around town a passion for art and creation.”

Hillside offers a number of products, including clothing for infants, adolescents and teenagers. The shop also carries a full line of Ergo baby carriers, accessories for small children, shoes and signature clocks.

“The clothing lines we are concentrating on in La Jolla are Tea Collection, Mimi and Maggie, Zutano, Kissy Kissy, Wes and Willy and Me Too,” Dole noted. “For shoes, we carry a large selection of See Kai Run, Livie and Luca, Keen, Pazitos and others.” 

Dole, a graduate of the , refers to La Jolla as her “second home.” She decided to establish a boutique in La Jolla because she “felt that it might be a receptive location for what we offer.”

“We concentrate on the artsy stuff, vibrant colors, great design, and plan to hold art classes in the back room, like we have in our Mission Hills location for five years,” she said. “We also spend a lot of time on special orders for clients.”

Dole said interested customers may go to hillsideartisans.com to get additional information on classes and upcoming events.

The Web site also features a section for people to shop online, a school listing, a blog, an events page and how-to videos for projects like plaster mold-making, homemade bead looms creation and mosaic tiling. 

Dole said she’s been delighted that her business has “been able to reach out and expose kids around town to various forms of art.”

Location: 7874 Girard Ave., La Jolla

Telephone number: 858-456-0134

Operating hours: Sunday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Types of payments accepted: Cash and credit cards

Parking: Free street parking

Handicap accessible: Yes

Web site: hillsideartisans.com