Place: Somewhere nnorth of Los Angeles; Santa Barbara, but not that. Feels like a tourist town, but it attracts business as well. We'll call it Sunnydale for the moment.
The main shopping district has a quaint mission-era feel to it, very turn of the century that's slowly being restored to its glory days. Among the stores is a gift shop specializing in the work of local artists (at not cheap, but not gallery prices). This is run by Margaret Ashbury, a long-time resident and active member of the business community.
Time of the Year: Early spring into summer. Ti's a bad time of the year for a shop owner to be out with tourists coming in.