At Highlow Gift Shop, everything is centered around curating special moments. The small but focused store houses a carefully selected group of indie businesses that inspire owner Sonya Gallardo. Gallardo has over twenty years of experience in retail and it shows in the range of pantry staples available in her Torrance, California shop.
“I grew up helping my parents with their small business on the weekend as vendors at the local swap meet,” says Gallardo. “I love small businesses. They bring so much character and culture to their communities, along with their primary purpose of creating jobs and services.”
Gallardo makes it her mission to stock products for every occasion. That means she always has something available for a birthday, anniversary, wedding, a new baby, and beyond. Regardless of what customer is searching for, they can always be sure they will find something beautiful, design-focused, or joy inspiring.
Gallardo first signed the lease to open her studio during the pandemic and did a deep search for shelving online. She wanted something that was flexible in function that didn't compromise looks. Additionally, she was hoping to find something that complimented the products that were on her shelves without overpowering the products. Her search ultimately led her to Modern Shelving.
When Gallardo opened the shop, she placed her order. The plan for her first set of shelves was to display her home goods in an eye-catching way.
“I loved the way they looked in the store,” says Gallardo. “The aluminum color plays like a neutral tone, the hardware is so elegant and slick, and the texture of the shelves has a grip that secures the goods and is an added bonus.”
Because Gallardo is bootstrapping her businesses, she takes her time making improvements to the shop. Each year, she makes an upgrade, which for her means more shelves.
Today, she has a total of four sets of Modern Shelving units in her shop: a WAL set for men’s apothecary, a WAL set for home goods, another WAL set for jewelry/accessories, and a PAL set that holds pantry goods.
So far, all of Gallardo’s shelving units are holding up well and looking sharp. She had a great experience working with the design team to bring her shelves to life and make her shop everything she dreamed it would be.
“I look at [my shelves] all day long, five days a week,” says Gallardo. “And every day I can’t stop admiring them.”
For Gallardo, the right shelving does more than organize a space—it creates a thoughtful backdrop that allows the products and personality of Highlow Gift Shop to shine. Modern Shelving’s flexible, timeless design has allowed her displays to evolve alongside her business, one upgrade at a time. Whether you’re designing a retail shop, studio, or space of your own, our team can help create a shelving system tailored to your needs and vision. Book an appointment with one of our designers and start bringing your space to life.
