The Lazy Eye

A gem of a shopping experience in Old Town Goleta

By Danaë Petsimeris

Growing up in Paris was a voyage of discovering the city’s independent shops and boutiques, often secreted away on side streets just off the beaten track. When I was a teenager, I’d go out exploring with my friends. We’d spend afternoons adding shops for vintage clothes, jewelry and ceramics to our shared map of the city. We soon learnt the art of shopping, starting with the ability to discern the degree of attention paid to detail in a small window display. This is the invitation to step inside, and if the seed of intrigue is planted well, the client will rarely be disappointed. The ringing of a bell over the door on entry often announces the next stage of the shopping experience. And it is an experience, a sensorial one. Goods on display offer up their colors, shades and tones. A dress on a hanger can come to life when turned to the light; its fabric can be felt against the skin; and its fit—rather than its labelling for size—can be fully appreciated when put on and seen in front of a mirror. When I moved to Santa Barbara last fall, a sense of homesickness inevitably crept in. This was tinged by missing my favorite speciality shops and their proprietors, whose stories and advice were an integral part of the experience. Some retail therapy was in order. 

The appeal of my favorite boutiques in Paris, like that of a precious gem, in part comes from their rarity and the work involved in their discovery. My eye, however, has been well trained. One day, while strolling through Old Town Goleta with a delicious lavender matcha in hand—not something you will find on the menu in France—my eye was drawn to a particular shop. A rack of colorful clothes and two mannequins gracefully outfitted in bohemian chic beckoned to me from the window. With the door left open, the invitation was complete. From the moment I stepped inside The Lazy Eye Shop (@lazyeyeshop) at 5879 Hollister Avenue, my feeling of homesickness was gently assuaged. I knew that this would become a place I’d speak fondly of and where I would soon organize thrifting excursions with friends. 

Warm sunlight illuminated the shop’s tasteful arrangements, with fiddle-leaf figs inhabiting corners and pre-loved wooden furniture hosting displays of clothes and jewelry. Andi, the owner, carefully handpicks the clothes, shoes, belts and handbags. The store is well curated, with an intimacy that is far removed from the overwhelming feeling induced by larger thrift stores. As Andi puts it: “You can be lazy, and we can be your eye.”

Lazy Eye owner, Andy

Some of the best pieces of my wardrobe are testament to the frequency of my visits to the Lazy Eye. These include a trench coat reworked by hand, that is the envy of my friends in Paris;  a ‘90s Calvin Klein black slip dress; and a dark blue pair of jeans crafted from 100% Japanese denim (the detail is in the seams). Everybody can find their fit and reinvent their style, with customers ranging from highschoolers to 70+-year-olds. While Andy gravitates toward bright colors, textures and florals, wearability is her top priority. 

To complement her own selection, Andi collaborates with six other vintage sellers, creating a diverse mix of styles. The racks feature everything from Western pieces like cowboy boots, suede jackets and Levi’s jeans, to romantic blouses and vintage pale pink nightgowns with ribbons and lace. Wild Moon, one of the sellers, upcycles many pieces, modernizing their cuts. At the end of each day, Andi restocks sold-out hangers to keep the selection fresh and inventory rotates every two weeks. Customers can also trade their clothes for store credit, adding another layer of sustainability to the shopping experience. 

After studying for her teaching credentials and managing a thrift store in San Luis Obispo, Andi pined to connect to her roots in Old Town Goleta, where she grew up. Her father owned Santa Cruz Market, and she subconsciously followed in his footsteps by opening her own business. When she moved back, she realized the town was missing a store where people could both shop and find gifts. When saying “I like to touch everything that I’m shopping for,” Andi makes clear her belief that  shopping should be an experience that offers direct  connection and tangibility.

Creating a space for everyone has been important to Andi. She keeps her prices affordable, wanting customers to enjoy the process of finding something fun and unique. One of the aspects she loves most about her shop is the in-person experience. This allows her to build a sense of community with clients and neighboring retailers, and to take pleasure from seeing each piece leave with its new owner. In an era dominated by online shopping, Andi’s store feels refreshing. Being able to try on handmade and labelled clothes, and connect with its lovely owner, make the Lazy Eye a rare treat. 

Opening a store was a bit scary, given the rise of e-commerce, but Andi took “baby steps” as she puts it. She started with just two racks at pop-ups in breweries and markets, gradually growing into her own permanent space with eight racks. These steps helped her build confidence and confirm that people still valued shopping this way. Through these markets and pop-ups, she met artists she continues to work with, supporting the local community by showcasing their creations. Her store features dreamy jewelry, designer straws made by a local glassblower, whimsical hairclips, and patterned socks—all collaborations with artists she’s met along the way. 

Andi didn’t grow up dreaming of opening a thrift store, but vintage fashion was always a part of her life. Inspired by her grandmother’s timeless glamour and her father’s Western style, she naturally gravitated toward slow fashion. Over time, her love for thrifting evolved into a fashion she wanted to share with others. What started with just a couple racks has grown into the beloved Lazy Eye Shop—an essential address in Santa Barbara for anyone who loves fashion and sustainability.