{"id":297194,"date":"2025-08-13T23:08:34","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T23:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/local-gem-tabula-rasa-in-manhattan-beach-california\/"},"modified":"2025-08-13T23:08:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T23:08:34","slug":"local-gem-tabula-rasa-in-manhattan-beach-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/local-gem-tabula-rasa-in-manhattan-beach-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Gem: Tabula Rasa in Manhattan Beach, California"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Local Gem is RetailMeNot\u2019s new editorial series celebrating standout indie shops across the United States. Discover hidden treasures near you, travel to one, or shop their one-of-a-kind finds online.<\/em><\/h4>\n

At first blush, the name just doesn\u2019t make sense. In Latin, tabula rasa<\/em> means \u201cblank slate,\u201d and it\u2019s an idea 17th<\/sup> century philosopher John Locke used as the basis for his theory that people are born as blank sheets of paper \u201cvoid of all characters, without any ideas.\u201d <\/p>\n

No character? No personality? No ideas? Nothing could be further from Manhattan Beach\u2019s Tabula Rasa<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But of course, there\u2019s another interpretation of the phrase: A tabula rasa <\/em>can also be something that exists in a perfect natural state\u2026like, say, golden sand and clear blue water.\u00a0 It\u2019s rare that a store can feel like a day at the beach inside and out, but Tabula Rasa exudes that vibe throughout. After you peruse the bright and airy boutique filled with stunning wood and stone cutting boards designed to look like the crest of the ocean on the beach, soft, breezy sweatshirts tailor-made for early morning \u201cJune Gloom\u201d walks along the boardwalk, and tableware that screams \u201coutdoor deck dinner party,\u201d you then step outside practically onto the sand with the Pacific Ocean stretched out in front of you. Tabula Rasa has loads of personality and a character that is completely and unmistakably \u201cManhattan Beach\u201d through and through. Almost as if it had existed here in a perfect, harmonious natural state from the very beginning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tabula Rasa is located at 919A Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266\u00a0<\/h4>\n

\u201cDowntown Manhattan Beach<\/a> is a truly special community filled with talented entrepreneurs, passionate business owners, and dedicated staff,\u201d says Tabula Rasa owner Maureen McBride. \u201cAnd they are all deeply invested in the success and character of our town.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Story Behind Tabula Rasa<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n

McBride spent years helping iconic brands express themselves and find their style \u2013 names like Disney, Limited Too, and jean brands Lucky Brand Dungarees, Levi Strauss, and Lee. All the while she knew she wanted to eventually put all of her years of experience and expertise into something of her own. <\/p>\n

\u201cI spent 18 years in the fashion industry,\u201d says McBride. \u201cThese roles were fast-paced and global, requiring a keen eye for trends, a deep understanding of product-to-market strategy, and a strong focus on financial results. Eventually the breadth of my experience gave me the tools and confidence to take the leap and launch my own business.\u201d  <\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

In May 2000, the first incarnation of Tabula Rasa opened its doors on Manhattan Avenue in the heart of Manhattan Beach, CA \u2013 a sun-kissed community with a slow-paced, mellow vibe that feels worlds away from the hustle of Los Angeles proper. Five years later, the boutique moved into a new space nearby that saw it double in size. McBride and her team are now toasting the 25th<\/sup> anniversary of that risky (but calculated) leap of faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat truly inspired my shift was the opportunity to build something personal \u2014 something rooted in community,\u201d McBride explains. \u201cI loved the idea of working directly with artisans, helping small brands grow, and curating a product assortment that could be tailored to my customers\u2019 tastes. I wanted a space that served both locals and visitors with something fresh, thoughtful, and inspiring.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Of course, those 25 years weren\u2019t always easy breezy, but McBride\u2019s clear vision for what kind of place Tabula Rasa would be \u2013 a thoughtfully curated mix of fashion, lifestyle products, home goods, and quirky items with a distinct laidback sense of humor \u2013 helped her navigate it all without losing sight of her ultimate goals. She also felt that location was integral to Tabula Rasa; the boutique\u2019s story, its little details and its whole vibe just feel so aligned with Manhattan Beach that it almost couldn\u2019t exist anywhere else. \u201cOpening a boutique in Southern California came with both exciting opportunities and unique challenges,\u201d she says. \u201cStanding out in a highly competitive market in a region saturated by retail options required strong brand identity, and a product mix that felt both curated and distinct.\u201d High rent in an extremely competitive and well-to-do neighborhood, in addition to local regulations around parking, building and other operating logistics, set a high bar for success. McBride drew on her vast industry experience to source products, discover emerging brands and build relationships with independent artists and designers.  McBride admits she was very hands-on and \u201cwore many hats\u201d at the start to make sure her vision was served as well as her customers. Or should that be \u201cguests\u201d? <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we call our customers \u2018guests\u2019 and want them to feel welcomed, inspired, and genuinely cared for from the moment they walk through the door!\u201d <\/p>\n

What You\u2019ll Find Inside <\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to McBride, the vibe of Tabula Rasa is \u201ceffortlessly coastal cool,\u201d and you feel that the minute you step through the door. The sea breeze just seems to follow you in \u2013 maybe it\u2019s even gently guiding<\/em> you in \u2013 and the shop\u2019s bright interior and simple, unfussy but elegant displays just invite casual browsing whether you\u2019re looking for a unique gift or a truly memorable souvenir. <\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe atmosphere is friendly, personal, and lighthearted, and we invite guests to linger, explore, and connect,\u201d says McBride. \u201cIt\u2019s less about shopping and more about experiencing a sense of community and style that feels both fresh and timeless.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

McBride explains that some of the store\u2019s most popular items tend to run the gamut from beauty products to home goods to locally made gifts. People come in looking for \u201ca touch of surprise,\u201d as McBride puts it, and will just as likely be drawn to a signature candle with a coastal-inspired scent as they would be a handmade charcuterie board or even a Manhattan Beach souvenir hat and T-shirt. <\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say we have anything truly strange<\/em>, but we definitely carry items with a playful edge,\u201d she says. \u201cThere\u2019s always a section in the shop that draws people in \u2014 we know they\u2019ve found it when we hear laughter! We love featuring merchandise that\u2019s a little sassy, cheeky, or laugh-out-loud funny. It keeps the energy light and unexpected, and honestly, my team and I love a good laugh just as much as our guests do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Products like Kai Bathing Bubbles<\/a> help bring a sense of natural calm to your own bathroom\u2026<\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Price:<\/strong> $32 at Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/a><\/p>\n

Playful cutting and Charcuterie boards designed by Lynn Liana Serveware \u2013 like this surfboard-shaped board<\/a> \u2013 illustrate the clever mix of elegant design and beachy fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"wooden
Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Price:<\/strong> $99.50 at Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/a><\/p>\n

Or find some fun party inspiration in a book like Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Price:<\/strong> $17 at Tabula Rasa<\/a><\/p>\n

The store is even offering a special cap designed by California artist Ethel Martinez<\/a> depicting a bear in a firefighter\u2019s helmet hugging the state, with 100% of the proceeds going to relief organizations working to help those impacted by the devastating January 2025 wildfires.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Image: Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Price:<\/strong> $28 at Tabula Rasa Essentials<\/a><\/p>\n

And then, of course, there\u2019s what you\u2019ll find outside the store as well.<\/p>\n

When you stand outside my shop, you\u2019re greeted by the breathtaking Pacific Ocean. Waves rolling in, dolphins playing, seagulls soaring, magical sunrises and sunsets,\u201d says McBride. \u201cYou breathe in the salty sea air, hear the thwump<\/em> of beach volleyballs and joyful laughter. It\u2019s an energy that shapes everything about the store.\u201d <\/p>\n

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A Peek Into Tabula Rasa<\/strong>\u2019s<\/strong> Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Manhattan Avenue is the main drag of Manhattan Beach, dotted with high-end boutiques, family-friendly ice cream shops, casual eateries and eclectic boutiques. It\u2019s the kind of place where you wouldn\u2019t be made to feel out of place if you were dressed in your casual chic best or if you popped in wearing trunks and flip flops on your way to the beach. <\/p>\n

Being a part of the fabric of the community in Manhattan Beach is something close to McBride\u2019s heart, and the store is active in fundraisers, local nonprofits and other neighborhood initiatives. <\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity is at the heart of everything we do,\u201d says McBride. \u201cIn addition to participating in downtown-wide events<\/a>, we host in-store events like pop-ups with local makers, seasonal gatherings, and give-back shopping nights where a portion of proceeds benefit causes close to our hearts. Supporting our community is a core part of our mission and something we\u2019re deeply proud of.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

If it wasn\u2019t clear enough that McBride is interested in doing more than just paying lip service to community involvement, she has not only been a part of Downtown Manhattan Beach\u2019s business and professional association for more than 20 years, she has also served as president of the organization three times. <\/p>\n

This deep investment in the success of the area not only means more foot traffic and better sales, but it has also fostered a strong sense of collaboration and mutual support among her neighbors, including surf brand Nikau Kai<\/a> and trendy eatery Slay Italian Kitchen<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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How to Shop Tabula Rasa<\/strong><\/strong> If You Don\u2019t Live in Manhattan Beach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In case it isn\u2019t abundantly clear, Tabula Rasa is all about soaking up the beach vibes\u2026but also making sure you can take a piece of it home with you. And that extends to people who may be thousands of miles from ever setting foot in Manhattan Beach. <\/p>\n

As McBride explains, \u201cWe aim to bring the in-store experience to our online clients, making sure they receive the same thoughtful attention and service that define our boutique, no matter where they are.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Tabula Rasa website<\/a> features many of the boutique\u2019s best-selling items, including pieces created by local artisans that aren\u2019t available anywhere else. McBride and her team even offer real-time video calls to virtually walk people through the store, and will send photos upon request for people looking to see certain items more up close. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur core audience is local, but we also warmly welcome visitors from anywhere who seek an authentic beach shopping experience rooted in a relaxed, friendly, and fun spirit!\u201d <\/p>\n

\n Shop at Tabula Rasa now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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Have a favorite local gem in your neighborhood or do you own a local gem you want us to feature? Share it with us by filling out this form<\/a>. We’re always on the hunt for unique spots worth celebrating!<\/em><\/h4>\n

The post Local Gem: Tabula Rasa in Manhattan Beach, California<\/a> appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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