Find something unique including high-quality women’s fashion, accessories, jewelry and much more
The small, historic village of Arroyo Grande is a great place for visitors to check out the many quaint shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Apropos is a lovely boutique located in the heart of the eccentric downtown village, and it is known for carrying a wide selection of handpicked upscale women’s clothing.
Apropos is unlike any other store, this unique boutique has several locations across the Central Coast. It specializes in providing top-notch customer service, and stocks high-quality jeans, tops, dresses, purses, gifts and more.
Shop owner Natalie Risner opened the original Apropos in San Luis Obispo with Laura Bjorklund in 2002, and in 2014 they opened the Arroyo Grande location. After the old Broadway Jewelers building opened up, the ladies thought it would be a neat spot in the village to have a boutique and get away from the bigger crowds in SLO.
“I grew up in the area for my entire life, moved away, and came back to raise my kids here,” Risner says. “I love this area and live between SLO and Arroyo Grande.” The shop focuses solely on fashions for women, that aim to make the wearer feel good, and they proudly carry a multitude of sizes from 0-18.
“Customers can find something wonderful to wear from casual jeans and t-shirts to dressy things for special occasions and black tie events,” Risner says. Browse our great selection of gift items, soaps, purses, accessories, jewelry and home accents. We are fully stocked and carry items from local makers, and we love to bring the unique lines of clothing that you don’t see everywhere else. Half of the brands we carry are made in the USA.” Apropos seeks to support small businesses and fashion labels, which it says are often women-run, and located in California.
Apropos has been a staple of SLO for the last 20 years, and people keep coming back, from locals to tourists, for a unique shopping experience. The Arroyo Grande location is known for having the same quality, selection, and service. “We transfer items between stores all of the time, and that allows us to carry more diversity in color, style, and sizes,” says Risner. The shop continually gets new arrivals and on a weekly basis Apropos changes inventory. Expect to find a great new Summer dress or outfit, and attentive shopkeepers who know their stuff.
Apropos carries a variety of Tula palm fiber hats, which offer wonderful sun protection and are made sustainably in the mountains of Mexico, and many styles of purses and accessories. Customers can find beautiful hand-tooled leather purses, embroidered cloth purses, and fun cosmetics bags and coin purses; made with recycled materials at a great price point, which will last forever. You’ll finally be able to stock up on some cute quirky socks, gorgeous hand towels and brightly printed bags.
“Our customers love the high-end brands we carry, which include Johnny Was, Cut Loose, Fresh Produce, Tribal, and Jag Jeans,” she says. “We strive to supply the most outstanding brands that wash and wear well, and are made to withstand time. The clothes we sell are staples of any well-planned wardrobe. This isn’t fast fashion, it’s quite the opposite.”
Apropos is located at 121 E. Branch St. in Arroyo Grande. Hours are Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (805) 574-1727 or visit www.shopapropos.com.
– By Cassandra Frey
