Walk through the doors of E.L. & Company on any given day, and you may find yourself being greeted with champagne, in the middle of a book signing or pop-up party, or catching brand new inventory being put out. “We aren’t just a gift shop, we’re a shopping experience. Every time you come in here, it’s a different experience,” explained owner Tracy Vega, who opened the shop located across the street from Lake Shore Elementary on February 6, 2015.
E.L. & Company is a vendor shop, meaning that all of the items inside are crafted by local vendors. Hand-painted wine glasses, gourmet salsas and seasonings, nautical artwork, unique pottery, hand-made jewelry and custom home decor are just some of the many items that adorn the store. “People love finding a gift that is one-of-a-kind, and that is something we definitely offer here,” said Vega. “We also offer customization on selected items from our vendors. So if you see something you like, but maybe you want it be personalized with your last name, neighborhood, or local waterway, we can make that happen.”
Vega, who spent 15 years in the hospitality industry managing hotels, had always dreamed of owning a boutique with her sister, Deena. “We were both stay-at-home-moms at the time, and we would talk about how fun it would be to have a boutique where we could work together in a beautiful atmosphere. We decided we were going to take our middle names – Elizabeth and Leigh – and put them together for the boutique’s name, Elizabeth Leigh. That’s actually our official business name, but we are known as E.L. & Company,” she said.
However, in 2010, Tracy experienced the first of many devastating family losses when her sister Dena passed away from cancer. Following her sister’s death, she lost her grandmother, husband, and then mother. “I’ve had a lot of significant losses over the years. I became a single mother and a business owner. It was a very challenging time,” said Vega.
Through those dark days, it has been her community of vendors and customers who have kept her going. “I have about 45 vendors right now, and they are an amazing group of folks who have become my friends. We all help each other out as best we can,” she said. “It’s more than a business for me, it’s personal. I just keep going every day.”
Giving back to the community is also a big part of E.L. & Company. “We have done fundraisers, given donations to local schools and charities,” noted Vega.
With the holiday shopping season just ahead, Vega revealed that the shop will again this year offer extra hours, a holiday open house and pop-up parties, and even a visit from Santa. Currently, E.L. & Company is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 11am-5pm, but beginning in December they’ll also be open on Sundays through Christmas.
“I appreciate the love and support from our Pasadena community,” added Vega. “I get to walk into my dream every day.”
