SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – First of all, this isn’t your typical souvenir shop with Lake Tahoe magnets, keychains and t-shirts. While it can be a souvenir shop, it is so much more.
Located in the former AT&T store in South Lake Tahoe’s Village Center, L.A.K.E is a visual treat to all who enter. L.A.K.E. (which stands for Local. Artwork. Keepsakes. Exclusives.) opened in the center over Memorial Day weekend, and has been racking up 5-star ratings ever since.
Newlyweds Eric Kwong and Natalie Smith moved to South Lake Tahoe five years ago from Southern California. They knew they wanted to be on the South Shore and set up roots in the community before opening their store. This is their first business, and they’re excited to share what they have created inside.
Natalie, who earned her BS and MFA in Fine Arts at Sierra Nevada College/UNR-Lake Tahoe, has created almost everything in the store. If it’s a bag or a sweatshirt, it’s her design on the front. Her work is also on towels, prints, laser creations, candles, soaps, patches, pins, stickers, ornaments and more. There are also items for sale from some other local artists.
L.A.K.E. also features Star Wars and animal art.
“Every person who walks in the door wants something different,” said Eric.
Eric said they have received a lot of positive feedback, with customers telling them they enjoy the vibe of the store. They’ve also gained repeat customers, including real estate agents who buy baskets of their wares for new homebuyers.
The couple built out most of the store themselves (with some help from Natalie’s dad), creating a homey and roomy experience for shoppers.
Eric holds a BS and MS in Kinesiology from California State Fullerton, but L.A.K.E. is his new career.
His mom owned a fine jewelry store and is now retired. Some of her creations are at her son’s store. Eric explains that the prices of the jewelry reflect the old gold prices from when they were made, and not the high prices of today.
Natalie’s creations will be changed out in the store, with a winter collection now available. Year-round gifts are available, and not everything is Tahoe-themed, though much of it is.
Everything in the store is currently 10 percent off, and the sale will be running Nov. 21-23, just in time for holiday shopping.
L.A.K.E. has a website – https://www.lakegiftshop.com/ and they are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except for Tuesday when they are closed. The address is 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd Ste 15B, South Lake Tahoe, California and their phone number is (530) 725-9983.
“Come on in,” said the owners.
