“We started out with the goal of an old-school English general store,” says Alexis Gruetzmacher, who has just opened Mācher, with her husband Josh, in Goleta. “We wanted to encourage less plastic and more permanent objects in the home—and we still plan on adding a refill station. But then people kept telling us that they also hoped we’d have gifts, so the idea morphed into a little mishmash of sustainable living and the kind of pretty stuff people love to give and receive. There’s nowhere in Goleta to buy gifts except the big-box stores.”
Mācher, pronounced “maker,” is a riff off the Gruetzmachers’ name. Josh is a wedding photographer, and Alexis had been in health insurance; when the pandemic changed their priorities, they moved from San Francisco to Goleta, where Josh is from. The shop’s inventory spans many categories—home, beauty, accessories, gardening, kids, pets, greeting cards, and more. “The focus is on small-batch, artisanal, and crafted,” says Alexis. “And all the makers have a story that aligns with what we’re doing.”
Mācher is at 5731 Calle Real, next to Kyle’s Kitchen in the Calle Real Shopping Center; 805-324-4716; @shop.macher.
················
Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter and you’ll never miss a post.
Fabulous! Can’t wait to check it out, we’ve been in need of a store like this for years.
Looks beautiful! Can’t wait to check it out. I already see several things I want to buy :)
Bravo, Alexis and Josh! We needed a shop like this.