Coronado Club
Coronado has been a special place for Margo Egelston for many years. Family vacations visiting friends deepened that feeling. The opportunity to move to Coronado full-time was the perfect reset after a hectic corporate life. And so, The Coronado Club was born.
With her background and love of fashion and creative talent, she wanted to create a Coronado brand of clothing that was chic and modern, and went beyond the basic t-shirts and sweatshirts sold in souvenir stores. She named the brand “Coronado Club” because she felt it represented the great community that both locals and tourists can enjoy who love the brand as much as she does.
Having never made apparel before, she started from scratch, designing, finding suppliers, and shipping. As she began wearing her first prototype hats around town, people took notice and asked about them. She posted mood boards on Instagram giving a sneak peek at the hats, and her following grew and she began getting more inquiries. Word of mouth helped drive sales as she built a website and figured out the perfect eco-friendly packaging and other logistics.
The Coronado Club collection debuted in November. Hats quickly sold out, so she rushed to restock. Currently on sale are hats, stylish and comfortable sweatshirts, sweatpants, and socks. While her original vibe was sandy with rich cream and brown undertones, the Independence Day collection consisted of red, white, and blue hats.
“I love coming up with new ideas, and I’ve learned to be strategic and plan ahead,” she says. Upcoming products include oversized, vintage-style sweatshirts, and a fall collection in cozy fabrics will debut in September. People often ask about children’s items, and suggestions keep coming, so she’s also considering tote bags, towels and candles.
“Seeing the company being supported and growing makes me feel like my idea is valid. It’s a great feeling to know that other people love what I make. I’ve always loved making things for special occasions, so I’d love to make things for big moments like the Fourth of July or Christmas.”
Her goal is to build a community that cherishes Coronado’s relaxed atmosphere, whether they’re locals who live here full-time, part-time residents, or visitors. She plans to listen to her followers’ feedback and ask for their input on new products for the holiday season, products that are suitable for gifts, and more. She has become friends with many of her customers and hopes to eventually organize meetups for like-minded people, whether they grew up here, recently moved here, or are in the military. She extends an open invitation to all to become part of the Coronado club, where everyone is welcome and united in their love for this unique place.
The Coronado Club collection can be found on Instagram, Facebook and thecoronadoclub.com. Pickup, delivery and shipping are available.
Livenad invites you into the life of good stories
Live Nado, a new brand dedicated to “Live a Good Story,” was founded by Kate and JT Kerns. Shortly after moving to Coronado, the couple came up with the idea for Live Nado, a resort wear line featuring hats and clothing that reflected the patriotism and community of their town.
Kate is originally from the East Coast and moved to San Diego in her 20s. Her husband, JT, is originally from the Bay Area and they met in San Diego. They remember visiting The Del and other spots in Coronado and experiencing the magic of island life.
After moving to Tahoe and then Chico to start their own businesses, they always had their sights set on Coronado as a retirement destination, but are happy to have made it happen sooner by moving with their two children in 2021. Both are involved in other businesses and launched Live Nado in April 2023.
“Life here is better than I could have ever imagined, so with a sense of gratitude and joy, I wanted to create a brand that reflects the diverse community here: military personnel, people who grew up here, tourists who visit regularly, and people who have recently moved here,” Kate says.
Their first product was the “Enjoy the View” hat, which became a best seller and exuded a beach vibe. They appealed to the community by setting up pop-up stores at local sporting events such as little league and high school sports games with people who identified with the Live Nado brand.
They have dove into causes to help the local community, donating a portion of their profits to various CSF events, Safe Harbor, etc. “We focus on building relationships in the community,” Kate explains.
“I have a background in sales and science and am new to the creative field but I enjoy seeing my designs come to life and it makes me so happy to see people wearing our creations,” says Kate.
They believe many people feel the same way they do, and that once they visit Coronado they’ll never want to leave, and probably never plan to return. Kate says she advocates for finding joy in the little things and enjoying all the community has to offer.
The Del’s is listed as their favorite place in Coronado because it was a magical place for them even before they moved here. Now JT passes by it every day with his dog Rosie. The kids’ favorite places are by far Spreckels Park and Nado Gelato. They enjoy biking or walking the kids to and from school and enjoying concerts in the park and various other community events.
Live Nado offers a variety of locally themed collections, including Central Beach, Shoreline (sweatshirts and pants) and Spreckels (kids’ hats). The Glorietta collection features black hats with patriotic-themed crowns. The Margarita and Balboa collections feature black hats with “Welcome to the Rock” patches that proudly feature the Coronado Bridge.
In the future, we plan to expand our product line and team with the aim of increasing brand awareness. Live Nado Coronado Apparel & Goods can be found on Facebook and Instagram and the entire product line can be found at www.livenado.com. Select items are available for purchase at Sea La Vie (1112 First Street). Live Nado offers shipping and free local delivery.
