The gift shop at the Los Angeles Central Library had a surprise celebrity guest come to visit just ahead of Museum Store Sunday. Harvey Guillén, an actor known for his role as “Guillermo de la Cruz” on the Emmy Award-nominated FX comedy series, “What We Do in the Shadows,” went holiday shopping on Nov. 28 at The Library Store in the historic Los Angeles Central Library to show his support for museum stores.
The Museum Store Association reports that The Library Store was just one of more than 2,300 stores participating in Museum Store Sunday around the globe on Nov. 30.
"As an artist myself, it feels good to know our purchases support local creators while directly funding each museum’s exhibitions and community programs,” Guillén said while shopping in his hometown of Los Angeles. “Whenever my sister and I travel together, we also make sure to visit museums to experience local art and culture on a deeper level. We love checking out different museum stores to find souvenirs or gifts we can’t get anywhere else.”
While shopping at The Library Store, Guillén found several gifts by local makers, including the Trejo’s Hot Sauce Variety Pack and Reading Brings Us Together T-shirt.This guest appearance at The Library Store was one of many ways museum stores celebrated Museum Store Sunday this year. Launched by the Museum Store Association in 2017 and held annually on the Sunday after Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, Museum Store Sunday invites shoppers to enjoy purpose-driven shopping in inspired settings, often with special discounts, pop-up events and gifts with purchase.
Christine Romero, director of retail services at The Library Store, part of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, collaborates with local makers and small businesses to develop exclusive merchandise.“A few years ago, the Los Angeles Public Library teamed up with LA artist Gajin Fujita to create a limited-edition library card showcasing a detail from his painting, ‘Guardian Angel,’ which is also featured on a 100% silk scarf available at our store,” Romero says. “Shoppers gravitate toward unique items that remind them of their favorite places, artists and books, and they like knowing their purchases support creators right here in LA.”
Many museum stores featured location-specific and exhibit-inspired items crafted by local artisans and small businesses for Museum Store Sunday this year. Shoppers could find mission-driven gifts online and in person, including books, home decor, jewelry, gourmet food and children's toys and products.
Promotions varied at the 2,300-plus participating museum stores. At The Library Store, shoppers received a 15% discount on purchases and a free Museum Store Sunday tote with a $100 purchase. In Jacksonville, Florida, the Cummer Museum Shop celebrated the day with meet-the-maker events, free tote bags and a 25% storewide discount. Customers received 10% storewide discounts and trunk shows with local artists at the de Young and Legion of Honor museum stores in San Francisco.
