Grant Boys have everything for the outdoors

There isn’t a store in Orange County that can compare to The Grant

Boys. Since 1949, it has supplied the best in family camping gear,

fishing equipment, guns and outdoor clothing. When I’m inside the

store, I always feel like I’m somewhere out in the boonies. I can’t

believe it’s in Costa Mesa! Fishing enthusiasts can purchase fresh

and frozen bait, licenses and fishing gear. I loathe guns, so I pass

right through that section. There are handgun safety instructors on

the premises, who are required by the Department of Justice, and

hunting licenses are available. The store has knives and binoculars,

too. The camping section carries tents, hiking equipment, cooking

supplies, sleeping bags and more. The apparel department sells

Columbia, Woolrich, Levis and Wrangler. Popular items are Ugg Boots,

Stetson hats and OP shirts. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday

through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to

5 p.m. Sunday at 1750 Newport Blvd. Information: (949) 645-3400.

MURALIST FOR HIRE

Brett Blackman is a high-quality muralist who mostly paints in

high-end residences, but he can work with all budgets. Blackman

travels from Los Angeles to San Diego to paint murals in client’s

homes, and has had big projects in Emerald Bay and Newport Coast.

Blackman has painted all his life. His degrees are in furniture and

project design, but he was drawn to murals because it satisfied his

expressive and artistic needs. Blackman can create decorative

paintings, too. Clients can e-mail Blackman, and he’ll send examples

of his work. Information: (949) 637-6981 or [email protected].

MORE THAN JUST LIGHTS

Since 1968, Hodson Lighting has offered some of the best in

traditional to contemporary fixtures. The upscale store is constantly

changing and improving its selection. There are more than 100 vendors

from all over the globe to choose from. Hodson Lighting also offers

lighting consultation services and house plan schematics. Designers

and contractors welcome. The store is very friendly and service

orientated. They sell light bulbs and do repairs. Open from 9 a.m. to

5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at

1510 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 548-9341.

EXTENSIVE CAMERA

Cal’s Camera opened here in 1962. Three generations are involved.

Its original store opened in 1947 in Santa Ana. It’s well known for

its depth of merchandise and for its knowledgeable sales staff.

Amateurs and professionals know that anything new and exciting in the

industry can be found here. Students buy darkroom supplies and

professionals buy studio equipment. New and used cameras, digital

video cameras; quality photo finishing; film, books, frames, albums

and more. Cal’s is up to speed with the digital age. It even has a

new digital print Web site for processing prints over the web. Orders

take three days. Visit www.calscameras.com/

imaging.htm for information. Cal’s holds two large sale events

each year: During the first weekend in June and first weekend in

December, manufacturers show their equipment, and there are always

good deals. Open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at

1770 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.

EVERYTHING JAPANESE

Mitsuwa Marketplace combines a Japanese market, a food court and

department store merchandise under one roof. The market section of

the store is like any other grocery store, except that most products

are Japanese. Its produce department carries common fruits and

vegetables and specialty produce: boiled bamboo shoots, Enoki and

Honshimeji mushrooms, Kabu and Satoimo. There’s also certified Angus

beef in the meat section; sushi-grade and frozen fish; Japanese

desserts, a large pickled vegetable and fish section, noodles, teas,

kitchenware, medicine and more. The food court includes sushi,

Italian food, noodles, curries and bakery fast food stands. The rest

of the store has an odd mix of merchandise and services. There are

video rentals, auto accessories, a hair salon, Hello Kitty products,

cookware, dishware, jewelry, gifts, vitamins, Shiseido cosmetics and

Shohan wireless phones. Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 665

Paularino Ave., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 557-6699.

BRIDAL SHOW

The White Dress is having a two-day bridal show on Friday and

Saturday. Elizabeth Fillmore, a New York-based bridal designer, will

be showing her latest collection. Also, Jayson Hanson will show his

beautiful platinum and diamond new and vintage jewelry collection.

Hanson’s jewelry was worn by the actresses of “Friends” at the recent

Golden Globes awards show and by E! Entertainment’s host Nancy

O’Dell. Featured hair pieces and accessories are from Eccentrique and

Erin Cole. The shop is at 2853 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

Information: (949) 723-0121 or www.thewhitedress.net.

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER

A quick correction. The phone number of the new Patricia Di Giola

Nail Studio in Newport Beach is (949) 673-1743. Jody Rowland Simon is

offering a special on professional manicures and pedicures.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at [email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.