A gift store in Encinitas has been a staple among San Diegans for over 30 years, and when the owner decided to remodel the place, she found a hidden gem on a wall.
Queen Eileen's Gift Baskets along Coast Highway 101 was undergoing a remodel when owner "Queen" Eileen Burke stumbled upon a historic Coca-Cola mural.
The mural features the brand's iconic character "Sprite Boy.” Instead of painting over it, Burke decided to incorporate it into her store's new design.
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“We were kind of like, ‘Oh, let’s go in this direction, make it a little more retro.’ I think the new kind of vibe of Queen Eileen’s is a cross between a three-ring circus and anthropology. It's pretty fun,” Burke said.
Burke believes the mural was painted back in the 1940s when the building served as a hardware store.
On Saturday, Queen Eileen's Gift Baskets held its soft opening for its fresh, remodeled space -- with a nod to the past. The vintage Coca-Cola mural was there for all to see, and Coca-Colas were given out to all customers as a fun little welcome back gift.
