Carmel Valley resident brings Urban Girl Accessories to Del Mar Plaza

Annie Glenn owns Urban Girls Accesories at Del Mar Plaza.

By Marlena Medford
Staff Writer

If you’ve been to the Del Mar Plaza in the past few weeks, you’ve likely seen the paper-covered windows next-door to Smashburger. The paper has now been removed, revealing downtown’s newest addition, Urban Girl Accessories. Inside you’ll find owner Annie Glenn, who is depicted in the store’s logo wearing a sunglasses and flip-flops — her “everyday uniform,” as she explains. This Carmel Valley resident is the embodiment of “fun, trendy, and kitchy style,” and her store is full of things that help her define that.

“I wanted to create a place filled with beautiful things, the kind of place where you walk in and sigh and feel immediately relaxed because it appeals to your senses,” she said.

You’ll find, for example, a hearty selection of unique jewelry, like rings made from vintage buttons. And home items, such as scented soy candles. There’s also a kids’ corner, beachwear, tote bags, and bath and body products. Glenn also prides herself on philanthropic-based items, so she carries an extensive selection of TOMS shoes, which gives a pair of shoes to a child in need with each purchase. She also carries a line of jewelry made with Acholi beads, which are handmade by Ugandan women who turn excess paper waste into brightly colored beads. Not only is the jewelry eco-friendly, it also affords these women the opportunity to make a living and provide for their children.

This Del Mar store is the latest in a line of entrepreneurial ventures for Glenn. She and her husband Chris started their retail work many years ago with a t-shirt and hat kiosk at Seaport Village. That business soon grew into their fist store, American Nostalgia. The couple continued to steadily grow their business, adding a new store every few years. Now, two children and many years later, the couple owns three stores in Seaport Village: American Nostalgia, San Diego Surf Company, and the original Urban Girl Accessories.

Glenn decided to open a second Girl Accessories store in North County after prodding from her friends and fans who wanted something closer to home. It was during a visit to Smashburger with her children that Glenn spotted the vacant storefront in the Del Mar Plaza, and the rest, as they say, is history.

“This was the perfect location for Urban Girl Accessories, and I guess I have Smashburger to thank for finding it,” she quipped. “I am so excited to be here in Del Mar and I hope everyone comes in to say hello. I would love to make Urban Girl Accessories one of their favorite places.”
For more information, please visit urbangirlaccessories.com. The Del Mar Plaza is located at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 92014.

Related posts:

1. Carmel Valley resident’s foundation helps children orphaned by AIDS in Zambia
2. Girl Scouts holding toy drive in Carmel Valley
3. Carmel Valley Girl Scouts complete Cyber Savvy workshop
4. 2 boutiques open in Plaza
5. Rain brings urban runoff to county beaches

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Posted by Marlena Chavira-Medford on May 31, 2011. Filed under Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Featured Story, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry