News Summary
Ms. Peggie’s Place, a cherished miniature and dollhouse supply store in Pacific Beach, CA, is at risk of closure after over 22 years in business due to a significant rent increase. Owner Michael Sue Nanos, who has turned the shop into a community hub for miniature enthusiasts, plans to vacate by October 31. Despite a resurgence of interest in the crafting hobby during the pandemic, the new rental fee exceeds her budget. Community support has emerged as she searches for a new suitable location to continue her legacy in the crafting world.
Pacific Beach, CA – After over 22 years at the helm, the owner of Ms. Peggie’s Place, a beloved miniature and dollhouse supply store, is facing significant changes that may force her to close the shop. Michael Sue Nanos, the store’s owner, has announced plans to vacate the premises by October 31 due to a steep rent hike—from $700 to $2,500—as her landlord prepares to renovate or sell the building.
Ms. Peggie’s Place is the last remaining store of its kind in San Diego, specializing in a wide array of tiny items from miniature cereal boxes to dollhouse furnishings. Nanos, who started creating miniatures as a hobby before transitioning into retail, purchased the store from its original owner Peggie Devine. The shop has grown into a community hub for miniature enthusiasts, drawing in crafters who appreciate the personalized service and unique imported items available.
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked renewed interest in the hobby, leading many newcomers to discover the joy of creating miniatures. Despite this resurgence, Nanos’s financial situation has become precarious due to the incoming rent increase. Although she can accommodate an increase beyond her previous rent, the new amount is beyond her budget. At the age of 76, she is also facing health challenges, awaiting open-heart surgery, adding an element of urgency and uncertainty to her situation.
Nanos has been a staple of the crafting community for decades, having begun her career at a hobby store before establishing her own. She has built lasting relationships with her customers and enriched the crafting world with workshops and events at Ms. Peggie’s Place. In the 1970s, San Diego boasted as many as eight miniature shops, but Ms. Peggie’s Place stands as one of the few remaining establishments on the West Coast dedicated to this specialty hobby.
Friends, loyal customers, and fellow miniature enthusiasts have rallied around Nanos as she navigates this challenging transition. Many have offered their support and assistance in finding a new, suitable location for the store. Nanos hopes to secure an approximately 800-square-foot space, expressing willingness to take on a fixer-upper to continue her mission of providing a space for crafting and creativity.
The unique inventory of Ms. Peggie’s Place has long been appreciated by local crafters. Besides dollhouse miniatures, the shop offers supplies for dioramas and theatrical and architectural projects. The eclectic mix often includes products from artisans around the globe, making the store a cherished resource for creative minds in San Diego.
As one of the last remaining miniature shops in the area, Ms. Peggie’s Place has established itself as a sanctuary for artists and hobbyists alike. The shop is not only a supply stop but also a community gathering place where ideas are shared and friendships are forged.
The future of Ms. Peggie’s Place remains uncertain, but the support from the community underscores the importance of the shop in Pacific Beach. Nanos’s dedication carries on a legacy that has inspired numerous crafters throughout the years, and her journey of finding a new home for her miniatures is a testament to the resilient spirit of small businesses and the crafting community.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: No Small Problem at Ms. Peggie’s Place
- Wikipedia: Miniature
- San Diego Magazine: Ms. Peggie’s Place
- Google Search: Miniature Crafting
- BBC News: The Vintage Craft Revival
- Google Scholar: Craft Community
- Visit California: Mission San Diego Bays
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Diorama
- BBC News: The Joy of Miniatures
- Google News: Miniature Shops
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
