Sophia Tolle, owner of the always bustling Poppy women's clothing and gift boutiques, has been dressing legions of fashionable Central Coast fans and out-of-town guests since launching her flagship store in Morro Bay nearly 28 years ago. And fortunately for Santa Barbara shoppers, she opened a second location on State Street in 2020. Given the breadth of categories covered within the bright space, shopping at Poppy could be a bit overwhelming, but because the departments are so well organized and the clothing and accessories beautifully merchandised, perusing is a pleasure. Also, friendly staff members are available to cater to any customer needs, which is a good thing because this shop is nearly always buzzing. That's likely due to the smartly curated selection of labels like Habitat, Life Is Good, Liverpool, Cut Loose and more. And for the Brighton fans out there, Poppy has a section, almost like a shop-within-a-shop, dedicated to the collection, including jewelry, handbags and other Brighton accessories. Then there's the gift section, filled with luxurious bath and body treats, candles, decor items and toys and goodies for the wee ones.
We recently popped into Poppy to have a quick chat with Sophia. Luckily, we were able to catch her between locations and her busy buying schedule. She graciously gave us a few minutes of her valuable time, and here's what she had to say about her beloved boutique, her recipe for retail success and more.
Tell us a bit about the origin story and evolution of Poppy and what inspired you to open a second location in Santa Barbara.
I opened Poppy in Morro Bay in 1993. Although it started as a gift store, the business continued to grow and expand to include clothing, accessories and shoes. I fell in love with Santa Barbara on my first visit and instantly knew I wanted to have a store that presented the Santa Barbara lifestyle. I was taken by the sun's warmth, the beach and the rich culture and history seen in the buildings and architecture throughout the city. Although we signed our lease in January of 2020, due to the lockdown, we couldn't officially open until June first of 2020. It was a challenging year, especially for a new business. Still, local customers were kind enough to welcome us to their community and support us through it all. We love serving Santa Barbara locals and visitors and providing them with timeless style and a unique selection of gifts and accessories.
Given that Poppy was established nearly 30 years ago in Morro Bay and the retail landscape has changed so much since then, to what do you attribute your boutique’s longevity and continued success here on the Central Coast?
Our focus has always been on three different areas of the business.
• We listen closely to our customers to know what they like, which allows us to become their personal shoppers.
• We are blessed with an excellent, friendly and knowledgeable staff. That creates a comfortable environment for our customers to find the perfect gift or an outfit they absolutely love.
• We constantly source new brands, unique styles and gifts you won't find in every store.
For someone who has never been to Poppy, what kind of experience should they expect?
They'll find a fun place with a friendly atmosphere with zero pressure to buy.
What's the best thing about your State Street location?
We are in the middle of a very active downtown section - close to the mall, opposite the movie theater and surrounded by great restaurants. And parking is a breeze with two nearby parking structures.
What is currently on most of your customers' wish lists?
We've noticed an increase in people looking for both clothing and gifts - everyone is excited to travel and socialize again!
911 State Street, Santa Barbara • 805.564.0004
911 Embarcadero, Morro Bay • 805.771.9750
poppywoman.com
