The Swiss Dot is a family-operated boutique carrying fashion and accessories for women and teens. We recently interviewed owner Danielle Bryant to talk about the challenges of holiday gift-buying. Scroll to the bottom to get a peek at The Swiss Dot and its merchandise.

DMGLB: How long have you been in business in Seal Beach?
Danielle: Just about three years.

DMGLB: What are your holiday hours?
Danielle: Daily, 10am to 5pm. Closed Tuesdays.

DMGLB: What age group do your clothes appeal to?
Danielle: We cater to just about everyone! We can find a dress for a salsa dancer, winter formal or any holiday party.

DMGLB: How is the shopping experience different at an independent shop like The Swiss Dot versus a chain store in the mall?
Danielle: We will give you great customer service. We care that you look great in our clothes! We are friendly and fun and our prices are fair. We get in new clothes from LA weekly and if we don’t have what you need, let us know and we’ll try to find it for you.

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Pat Hale of Seaside Brokers recently spent a few minutes with us to talk about the current state of the real estate market in Seal Beach, California. If you’d like to talk personally with Pat, call her at 562-773-3919 or stop by her office on Main Street and pick up a free map.

DMGLB: How long have you specialized in Southern California real estate?
Pat: I have been selling Real Estate in Southern California since 1979. I moved to Seal Beach in 1997 and have been selling coastal properties ever since. I just opened my own office “Seaside Brokers” at 311 Main Street, Suite 16, in Seal Beach last year.

DMGLB: We’ve all heard the news about the real estate market, but how would you characterize the current real estate climate in Seal Beach?
Pat: I have noticed a slowing of the market in Seal Beach but have only seen one foreclosure in town, which is not at all like the news is stating. I do have list of foreclosures in other cities–if any one would like one, stop by the office to pick one up or I can email it.

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Located across the street from the foot of the Seal Beach Pier, Bogart’s is a place to charge your batteries, catch up with friends or simply enjoy the view. Owner JoAnn Adams met up with us recently to talk about coffee drinking in Seal Beach.

DMGLB: How long has Bogart’s Coffee House been serving up coffee in Seal Beach?
JoAnn: Bogart’s opened in November of 2002, so we are almost at our 5 year anniversary.

DMGLB: Restaurants, donut shops, other coffee houses and even gas stations serve coffee—yet you have loyal customers who rarely go a day without coffee from Bogart’s. What’s your secret?
JoAnn: We offer a consistently great tasting organic coffee, good customer service, free Wi-Fi and you can’t beat the view of the Pacific!

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The Wine Crush is a wine tasting venue that specializes in boutique wines from around the world. Located in the center of Long Beach on the Broadway Corridor, The Wine Crush features a relaxing garden setting, huge wine selection and friendly personnel ready to provide you with a fabulous wine tasting experience. Owner and proprietor Marcus Crenshaw took a few minutes out of his day recently to talk wine with Discovery Map of Greater Long Beach:

DMGLB: How long has The Wine Crush been operating in Long Beach?
Marcus: The Wine Crush was opened in July 2004 and we purchased it in Jan 2006. So, it’s been a little over 3 years, almost 2 years owned by us.

DMGLB: Wine is sold at warehouse stores, supermarkets and neighborhood liquor stores. How does The Wine Crush continue to stand out against these other retailers?
Marcus: Wine selection!!! We focus on smaller, estate quality wines and the wines we bring into the store are first tasted by us. In addition, we provide a nice environment, a tasting room and garden, for our customers to try our wine before they buy it. The quality of wine along with the ambience of The Wine Crush is a great combination and definitely helps us stand out from the competition.

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