Designer Margaret Best, center, owner of Margaret O’Leary’s newest boutique at 1235 Coast Village Road in Montecito, flanked by philanthropist Teran Davis, right, and Alice Hampton. Davis hosted the opening, which doubled as a benefit for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara.
Designer Margaret Best, center, owner of Margaret O’Leary’s newest boutique at 1235 Coast Village Road in Montecito, flanked by philanthropist Teran Davis, right, and Alice Hampton. Davis hosted the opening, which doubled as a benefit for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara. Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo

Coast Village Road was hopping on a recent Thursday as Margaret O’Leary opened the doors to its newest women’s clothing boutique.

The independent fashion brand has come a long way since designer Margaret Best founded it in San Francisco in 1990, starting with a single handloom in her bedroom.

Her first brick-and-mortar shop opened four years later on Claude Lane near Union Square.

Today, Margaret O’Leary has 14 locations across the country and remains known for the beautiful textures, craftsmanship and classic, timeless style that has defined the brand for more than three decades.

The new Montecito boutique brings that look to 1235 Coast Village Road, Suite C, with Margaret O’Leary signature pieces and seasonal offerings alongside a carefully curated assortment of designer goods from around the world.

A whirl through the shop on opening night to check out the merchandise proved challenging — in the best possible way.

The boutique was packed with women I knew, along with an overflowing crowd of some of Montecito’s newest residents.

It was definitely the place to be.

Philanthropist Teren Davis hosted the opening-night celebration, with guests receiving a preferred rate on purchases and a percentage of the proceeds benefiting Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara.

Best told Noozhawk that Montecito fits naturally with her expectations for Margaret O’Leary.

“I envision a future in Montecito and all my 13 locations where our collections continue to evolve alongside those who wear them, offering lasting quality, irresistible texture and creative joy,” she said.

That philosophy is evident throughout the boutique. Margaret O’Leary focuses on classic, versatile knitwear styles that work equally well for traveling or for the relaxed sophistication of Santa Barbara life.

And no Montecito opening would be complete without something good to eat and drink.

  • Guests packed the new Margaret O’Leary boutique, at 1235 Coast Village Road in Montecito, for an opening-night celebration that also was a benefit for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara.
    Guests packed the new Margaret O’Leary boutique, at 1235 Coast Village Road in Montecito, for an opening-night celebration that also was a benefit for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara. Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Margaret O’Leary’s new Montecito boutique brings the independent fashion brand’s signature knits, classic styles and carefully curated collections to Coast Village Road.
    Margaret O’Leary’s new Montecito boutique brings the independent fashion brand’s signature knits, classic styles and carefully curated collections to Coast Village Road. Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Designer Margaret Best, center, owner of Margaret O’Leary’s newest boutique at 1235 Coast Village Road in Montecito, flanked by philanthropist Teran Davis, right, and Alice Hampton. Davis hosted the opening, which doubled as a benefit for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara.
    Designer Margaret Best, center, owner of Margaret O’Leary’s newest boutique at 1235 Coast Village Road in Montecito, flanked by philanthropist Teran Davis, right, and Alice Hampton. Davis hosted the opening, which doubled as a benefit for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara. Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Designer Margaret Best started Margaret O’Leary’s more than three decades ago after launching the brand with a single handloom at her San Francisco home.
    Designer Margaret Best started Margaret O’Leary’s more than three decades ago after launching the brand with a single handloom at her San Francisco home. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Margaret O’Leary’s boutique combines the brand’s signature classics and seasonal styles with a curated selection of designer goods from around the world.
    Margaret O’Leary’s boutique combines the brand’s signature classics and seasonal styles with a curated selection of designer goods from around the world. Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • Credit: Chelsea Delgadillo / Margaret O’Leary photo
  • The author with Michelle Steinberg.
    The author with Michelle Steinberg. Credit: Foreman family photo

Passed hors d’oeuvres by Ingrid Polcayo included honeydew and cantaloupe skewers with prosciutto and fresh basil, hummus and crudités, Caesar salad cups, brownie bites and key lime pie cups.

Champagne and sparkling water kept the celebration flowing as guests browsed, visited and welcomed Margaret O’Leary to the neighborhood.

All in all, it was a stylish debut for the newest addition to Coast Village Road — and a grand opening to remember.

Margaret O’Leary is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. The opinions expressed are her own.