Business & Tech

Steve and Rachael Caballero Bring Paris and Skateboarding to Campbell's Courtyard

The Campbell residents opened Bela La Vie one month ago and see big things in The Courtyard's future, including Skateboarding Pro Tony Hawk this Sunday.

Campbell's hidden shopping gem, The Courtyard is about to get very, very exposed.

Tucked between and , this little shopping strip is home to 12 shops. It's newest addition, aims at making this little piece of downtown Campbell a very lively place, and soon.

"With the growth and popularity, I really do see in the next few years the Courtyard getting lively," says Rachael Caballero.

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Caballero says she wants to bring merchants together at The Courtyard to make it a not-to-be-missed spot in the downtown, but says she's found her neighbors have laid down a good foundation to build on.

"Brooke does a great job getting people here," she says of the owner. "And with , with all the kids hanging out, I feel like we’re really tied to them too."

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And on Sunday, July 15 the Caballeros are planning on packing The Courtyard with from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

"Steve just judged the X-games and asked Tony if he’d be willing to stop by and he said yes," Caballero says.

The event will be in front of her shop and there will be free sushi, provided by .

"He’s only here for an hour so expect a really large crowd," she says with a smile.

The event this Sunday is just one of the many things the Caballeros want to do with their newly opened business.

Rachael Caballero opened  in May 2011 and in June, along with her husband professional skateboarder Steve Caballero opened up the part boutique, part art gallery.

"Steve and I have been talking about this for six years, since we were dating," Caballero says. "We wanted to have a shop in downtown. It was just a matter of when and where."

The two were in Paris earlier this year and when she came home, she received a call that there was a spot opening up at the Courtyard.

"I was looking for a place at The Courtyard because there, the pressure is off," she says. "I was told that people don’t leave so when I got the call, I called back and locked it down."

The two opened shop soon after.

Inside, an eclectic mix of new and handmade jewelry, accessories, art prints, clothing and skateboards; all among Parisian-inspired decor. 

"Being in Paris, I was so inspired," Caballero says. "Shops there are so eclectic but also feel vintage. I wanted something that would emulate that and the shops in the Lower Haight in San Francisco."

The name of the shop was a combination of her son and daughter's middle names.

"Bela is my son’s middle name and La Vie is my daughter’s middle name," she says. "Depending on the language, it means 'Within the Life' or 'The Life Within.'"

Along with the various wares sold there, an art gallery serves as a place for Caballero's husband to flex his creative muscles.

"The shop is giving him a place to showcase his stuff," she says.

The shop will host artwork by artists every month, complete with an opening reception, goodies to eat and live DJ music.

The events, Caballero says have two purposes: provide artists with a space to showcase their work and bring people to the shop.

The next artist to install is Jaime "Mr. Wim" Trevino (who also created the sign in the front of the shop) and the opening reception and live precision art demonstration is July 20.

Another place that Caballero's husband Steve's skateboarding life can be felt at the shop is the complete skateboards as well as the skateboarding clothing lines.

"There’s a huge demand for the completes we carry; it’s a full deck from Skate One," Caballero says. "Steve’s skated for them for more than 31 years."

The two tested the waters with the skateboards at their opening and sold out.

The clothing carried at Bela La Vie, Powell @ Peralta

“'The Ripper' is synonymous with skateboarding," Caballero says. "Steve was part of the original Bones Brigade"

A few things that you can only find at Bela La Vie, Caballero says, include:

  • Bela Koi one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces
  • Caballero's mother's handmade bags
  • handmade blankets

 

Bela La Vie is located at 311 E Campbell Ave., M-F from 12-6 p.m. Closed on the weekends.


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