![Crawford’s Books, opened by Jim and Joyce Crawford in 1983, was purchased by Sue and Greg Richards in January 2018. (Photo by Tom Couzens)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0620_dept_mainstreet_tomcouzens.jpg?1591210923)
Main Street: A New Chapter
Family-owned bookstore adjusts to limitations of state’s coronavirus order
Crawford’s Books owner Sue Richards now offers curbside pickup at her store on Freeport Boulevard in the Hollywood Park neighborhood of Sacramento.
![Sacramento-area artist Lindsay Swearingen creates dark but whimsical embroidery and ink drawings under the name Tusk and Cardinal. (Photo by Kelly Swearingen, courtesy of Lindsay Swearingen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/520_blog_artexposed.0.lindsayswearingenportrait.jpg?1590714881)
Art Exposed: Lindsay Swearingen
Tusk and Cardinal embroidery artist and illustrator discusses art versus craft in fiber arts
Lindsay Swearingen was introduced to needle and thread at 8 years old, when her mother taught her how to cross-stitch. She was young and didn’t stick with it, but “about eight years ago, I picked it back up around when there was a resurgence of embroidery and fiber art,” she says.
![Roseville City Councilman Scott Alvord at the site of one of the future commercial developments, looking at a rendering on his cellphone. (Photo by Graham Womack)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0420_blog_retail_roseville_lead.jpg?1586804050)
Retail Projects in the Works for West Roseville
Residents in fast-developing part of south Placer County have been underserved
As west Roseville’s residential communities have rapidly developed in recent years, spreading farther toward the western border of Placer County, there have been few commercial amenities while developers have waited for a critical mass of population that could support new shopping centers.
![Marsha Taylor's Sparrow 5 shop on Vernon Street in downtown Roseville carries work from more than 70 local artists. (Photo by Tom Couzens)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0220_dept_mainstreet_tomcouzens_lead.jpg?1580326787)
Main Street: Soaring in Roseville
Sparrow 5 on Vernon Street in downtown offers art, gifts and classes
Sparrow 5 owner Marsha Taylor, who has a background in interior design and art, has operated her 2,100-square-foot shop in Roseville for seven years. Besides selling furniture and home accessories, Sparrow 5 carries the work of more than 70 local artists.
![Downtown Lincoln is part of the new Love Lincoln campaign. (Photo courtesy of Dante Fontana)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/status-check-for-website-version-2.jpg?1577874531)
Status Check: Shop Local Campaign Kicks Off in Lincoln
City leaders encourage residents to spend more of their dollars locally
Between 2000 and 2010, Lincoln quadrupled in size from roughly 10,000 residents to 40,000. But revitalizing the city’s downtown and growing its economic base has been an ongoing work in progress.
![(Shutterstock)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1119_dept_publetter_shutterstock.jpg?1577874530)
Shopping Is Still Important to Sacramento’s Economy
Comstock’s publisher Winnie Comstock-Carlson on downtown Sacramento’s attempts to reinvent itself and how retail shopping was — and still is — one key element in its rejuvenation.
![Harley and Zahna Smith, who opened Wandering Gypsy Artistry last year, are putting down roots in Isleton, which they say is an ideal spot for their family. Harley and Zahna Smith, who opened Wandering Gypsy Artistry last year, are putting down roots in Isleton, which they say is an ideal spot for their family.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1019_dept_mainstreet_tomcouzens.jpg?1577874530)
Main Street: No Longer Wandering
Zahna and Harley Smith have settled in Isleton, where they operate an art gallery and tattoo studio
Zahna and Harley Smith showcase paintings, homemade jewelry and
other artwork at the Wandering Gypsy Artistry art gallery and
tattoo studio in Isleton.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1019_dept_itm_fredgreaves_lead_cropped.jpg?1577874530)
In the Making: Signs of the Times
When Simon and Kelly Holland launched the Etsy shop for their business, Sassy Squirrel Ink, in March 2015, they had about a half-dozen sign designs available to print photos on slate. They’ve been expanding their product line ever since.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0819_dept_mainstreet_tomcouzens.jpg?1577874530)
Main Street: Sound of Success
Music store in Grass Valley still strumming along after nearly 45 years
Mary Ellen Sorci, who opened Foggy Mountain in 1975, was raised on music. She moved to Grass Valley after her mother retired and relocated there from the Bay Area.
![Birdies slippers sell for $95 to $140. (Photo courtesy Birdies Slippers)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0219_blog_launch_birdies_lead.jpg?1577874530)
Slipping in Style
Birdies Slippers experiences rapid growth with the help of influencer marketing
In 2016, during the early days of Birdies Slippers, the two-person company based in San Francisco worked with a small public-relations firm to identify their ideal brand ambassador for what they hoped would become the go-to slippers for women seeking comfort and fashion. Their selection: Meghan Markle.