Plantiitas has become a community haven in Long Beach

Plantiitas is hard to miss when you’re walking by. The vibrant and eye-catching store is situated on the bustling intersections of Cherry and 4th Street, at 2011 E. 4th Street, which is one of two locations in Long Beach. The Latinx-owned business is a staple in the community thanks to its massive windows that are adorned with plants and a colorful green, yellow, and pink storefront sign, which adds a pop of color to the surrounding neighborhood. 

Upon entering the store, customers are greeted by a delightful explosion of colors from the beautiful mural, a portrait of an indigenous woman in a blue shirt and yellow ribbon braids with a pink flower pinned behind her ear. There is an impressive array of plants that fill almost every corner of the space. Additionally, there are a variety of smaller items from local vendors, such as jewelry, postcards, and natural oils, sold near the front. “The main thing we sell is plants,”  says co-owner Kevin Alcaraz, “but we also focus on bringing in vendors who are queer people of color and women of color.”

The mesmerizing combination of earthy scents in Plantiitas almost transports you to a different world. The lush greenery includes ferns, succulents, cacti, and other house and tropical plants create a serene and calming environment, making it the perfect place to unwind and indulge in some retail therapy.

It’s hard to imagine that the thriving business used to be a pop-up shop run out of a garage. Alcaraz and his partner Anthony Diaz are the inspiration behind Plantiitas, and they originally started to sell plants online as a hobby during the pandemic. Alcaraz says that owning a plant store was never in his long-term plan, but that he had been surrounded by nature his entire life. “I'm from Mexico – both of my grandmas raised me around plants,” he recalls, “in our morning routine, we’d go take care of plants and talk to the plants.”

In October 2020, Diaz and Alcaraz opened their first brick-and-mortar store, Plantiitas Market, located in Belmont Heights (4003 E 4th St in Long Beach, CA). They immediately realized the potential to truly integrate themselves into the Long Beach community and give back. According to Alcaraz, the aim was always to create a space that not only served as a shopping destination but also made people feel like they were “at home.” 

This is why less than two years after opening the first location they chose to open the second store in the Retro Row area.“The first thing we thought was, okay this is going to be the house for Plantiitas, it’s not only going to be for plants but the community space we always wanted it to be.”

The vision of creating a unique and welcoming space for plant lovers has been fully realized at Plantiitas. The establishment provides not only an opportunity to purchase and care for a wide range of plants but also a hub for regular community events. From the regularly scheduled “Drag Bingo” nights to creative “Paint & Plant” gatherings, Plantiitas offers a variety of events that cater to the diverse interests of its patrons. 

Plantiittas looks to have a promising future in the community of Long Beach. The small-business owners hope they can continue to create an affirming experience for people from all marginalized identities and backgrounds. “Our goal is to make our merchandise and plants as accessible as possible,” says Alcaraz, “so that you can come to the store and feel comfortable just being yourself.”