Family Displays the Benefits of Shopping Local

By Misty Cryer

While shopping online has become a trend, community members know that shopping locally through small, home-grown businesses is beneficial both to local families and the community as a whole. This rings true with the story of Conejos Classics.

Conejos Classics is a family-run business, said Jackie Cornejo, co-owner of the store with her husband Jonny, and their daughter Mya Cornejo. She said that Mya actually decided to open the clothing shop, which is located at 607 N. Main Street.

The Cornejo family, originally from Los Angeles, Calif., has been in Carlsbad for about eight years, said Jackie. Mya was a senior in high school when the concept of opening the store originated, she said.

“She saw that a lot of her friends had to order online. It was a lot of the clothing that my husband knew about because he wore it when we lived in California,” said Jackie, adding that the store brings the culture and style mostly from there.

“We sell clothing,” Jackie said, adding that they also do embroidery and customize items purchased through the store, or items that clients bring in to their liking.

Designs are created based on what people want on their clothing, Jackie explained. “It is not a standard design. We work with the customers to find the perfect design that suits their needs,” she said.

The store is stocked with brand-name clothing. The best known locally are brands like Levi’s, Dickies, and Pro Club, said Jackie, along with brands that are not too well known in town that the family brought here. “Mostly it is men clothing, because Carlsbad did not have anything for men,” she said.

When asked what inspired them to open the business, Jackie said, “Mostly it was just to give kids here a way to express themselves and be themselves.” She said a lot of the clothing that they were wanting to buy, or wear weren’t available locally.

Jackie views the store as a way for the family to help out while helping themselves with something extra. “Not monetary-wise, but more so for education,” she said.

Rather than going to college to develop a career, Jackie said, “All of my kids want to be business owners – they want a trade.” She said the store gives them the opportunity to help them understand that while self-employment is good, they have to put in work to be successful.

Jackie said that she is a special education teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School, Jonny is a rig welder, and Mya is at school. “She actually went to UTI, she’s going in Arizona to become a diesel mechanic,” she said.

The other Cornejo kids work at the store. “They have work hours from school, so they do that,” said Jackie. “It’s not a really big store. It’s kind of small, but it helps them because they are in sports too. When they are in sports it is hard to find jobs elsewhere. It helps them out as well as helping us out,” she said.

“Thankfully, this is not our primary source of income. Because of it, we’ve been able to support and sponsor a lot of sports - the athletes - our kids included,” said Jackie. “We’ve been able to sponsor the travel teams and donate back to our community,” she said.

Encouraging community members to shop local, Jackie said, “I can speak for a lot of the businesses, we all do the same, we all help each other out. We collaborate amongst ourselves – so keeping it local is always ideal for the community,” she said.

“We would like to thank all of customers as well as our community,” said Jackie, on behalf of the Cornejo family. “We appreciate your business as well as your acceptance into the town. Carlsbad is a special place with great people. It has been great getting to know all of you and becoming part of your community,” she said.

The hours for Conejos Classics may vary from time to time, said Jackie. The store is generally open from 12 to 6 on Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 to 8 on Thursday through Saturday, and is closed on Sunday and Monday.