Winter 2011

Local Goods: Arcata’s Star Attraction By Madison Dapcevich

Garden Gate

Owner: Kate Christensen

Garden Gate is a small garden and gift store. Owner Kate Christensen has owned the store for 12 years and enjoys bringing beauty and joy into the lives of her customers. All merchandise in Garden Gate comes from fair-trade, organic and or local vendors.

Local products include furniture, ceramics, apparel and exterior decorations that are handcrafted in Humboldt County. Mike Minor and John King both make concrete benches and artwork. Wine barrel chairs by Whit Mcleod and Adirondack chairs by Daniel Tangney are hot sellers for Humboldt’s landscaping enthusiasts.

Books authored by local residents are also sold in the store. Humboldt Wild by Arleen Olson is a compilation of photographs of Humboldt County and Locally Delicious is a book authored by chefs from all over the county. The Garden Gate also participates in Arts Arcata and has a revolving art gallery for local artisans.

Christensen encourages all her customers to shop local within their community. “The importance of local businesses,” says Christensen, “is to ensure that a town thrives.”

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Madison Dapcevich

Madison Dapcevich is an aspiring writer currently attending Humboldt State University for Journalism and International Relations. She has worked for many media outlets including The Osprey Magazine, The Lumberjack, The Missoulian and HumbyTV. Her coastal home helps inspire creativity and she hopes to someday paint the world through her words.