Happy customers visit Camila’s Fashion Boutique at their grand opening. Photo courtesy of Camila’s Fashion Boutique

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - For several weeks, Facebook community pages were abuzz with questions about what was moving into a vacant storefront near Sylvan Middle School. A few familiar Sanrio characters peered out of a window, catching the eyes of millennial moms who speculated on the potential opening of a Sanrio store — a once popular mall chain in the 1990s that has now all but disappeared from the retail scene.

Fortunately, eagle-eyed neighborhood watchers didn’t have to wait long for their answer. Camila’s Fashion Boutique opened its doors on December 30, and has been welcoming customers ever since. The store offers a variety of gifts aimed at tween and teen girls — along with anyone else who enjoys Sanrio, Pokémon, and Disney characters. Here you will find everything from plushies to stationary sets to basic electronics featuring these popular themes.

The store is headed up by Manoela Lopez, a Natomas mother who previously showcased her merchandise at various flea markets and vendor fairs, including the Bloom Festival, Onit Coffee Market, and Sacramento Sweet Spot, according to a recent report on the store. For years, her sales were also made through an online Shopify store while showcasing her available products on social media. Lopez selected the location due to the close proximity to the middle school, as well as its location next to a Starbucks and Little Caesar's Pizza.

While the aesthetic of the store definitely seems aimed at tween girls, there is something for everyone. Michelle M., a Citrus Heights resident, recently visited the store and said, “I have several family members who love Sanrio characters, especially my granddaughter, so we stopped in today while waiting for our pizza to see what the new store offered. I was not disappointed, and purchased a few things for her birthday. My grandson loves Super Mario and Pokémon so I purchased a toy for him, too.”

An array of Sanrio Valentine’s Day items currently welcome guests to Camila’s Fashion Boutique. Photo courtesy of Camila’s Fashion Boutique

Camila’s Fashion Boutique is sure to get some love from the Citrus Heights community, as it resides in a city that struggles to retain unique businesses or sustain significant retail life at destinations like the Sunrise Mall. While Lopez did not respond to requests for comment, the store seems to be faring well so far, with an active Facebook presence and regular operating hours.

Camila’s Fashion Boutique is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 7088 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights.