Some might mistake this small little island as a tiny jewelry box filled with expensive riches and treasures, and on the real estate side that is true, but when shopping and eating on the island, there are many ways to indulge like a king but with a paupers pocket change.
AMarees On The Island If you have lots of pocket change, you can save big at AMarees, a high end designer boutique carrying all the latest trends from top European designers. This is the baby sister store to their dazzling oceanfront boutique on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport. The island store is considered their sale store and has markdowns up to 80 percent off. Designers include Dries Van Noten, Celine, and Balenciaga. 332 Marine Ave.
Balboa Candy – This barrel of fun and candy store is like stepping into a time machine and transporting yourself to 1954. Saltwater taffy, old-fashioned sodas in glass bottles and candy cigarettes make even grandparents act like kids again. Nostalgia also doesnt cost much at this store. For less than a dollar you can get all kinds of candy from their oversized barrels, rainbow selection of Jelly Bellys or fistful of Jawbreakers. 301 Marine Ave.
Barolo By The Sea This authentic Italian restaurant is filled with tantalizing meals and a tiramisu that your tastebuds wont stop talking about. Every Wednesday in the month of July (better hurry!), Barolo is offering no corkage Wednesdays. Thats right, no cork fee! So its best to bring in that bottle of Duckhorn youve been saving for a special occasion and give it the white glove treatment by bringing it to Barolo and having it served to you like a king, for a pauper price. 305 Marine Ave.
Crush Clothing Boutique The windows are quite deceiving. It looks like a very trendy expensive store, but the price tags tell a different story. Practically everything in Crush is under $30. Crush has weekly specials that they promote on their facebook page. It might be a secret word day where you whisper bangle and you get a free bracelet with purchase or a Buy One Get One Free which they promoted over July 4 weekend. 317 Marine Ave.
Hersheys Market With their fancy new glass doors on their storefront and a mini food court with flat screen television inside, Hersheys may be pricey on the grocery front ($5 for hot dog buns?!), but a little snack on the way to the Bayfront is bargain basement style. They have weekly and daily specials written outside on their iconic chalkboard. Everything from $2.99 soups to $4.99 sandwiches to $1.99 hot dogs, you can dig deep in between the seats of your car to find enough to eat at Hersheys. 200 Marine Ave.
Picante Martins Who says Taco day needs to be on Tuesday? At Picante Martins, the addictively delicious Mexican café on Marine Ave, Thursday is the new Tuesday with Soft Taco Thursdays. Every Thursday, pop into Picantes for $2 soft tacos. You can have your choice of Asada, Carnitas, Beef or Chicken. 320 Marine Ave.
