Benjamin Fig

Ever so often you discover a unique store where you can browse for the fun and unusual. Benjamin Fig is that store. I first discovered them a couple of years ago, and now make them a go-​to place for unique gifts (for myself and others). I love their selection of jewelry, including Holly Yashi, from earrings to rings and necklaces. They have the best tie-​die shirts, elegant tooled leather calendar and checkbook covers, and the list goes on. It’s not just a visual visit — they’ve got a great selection of incense and aromatherapy goods, so the moment you step in the store, you enjoy the potpourri of fragrances.
Don’t be fooled by the narrow shop front — all the stores in Sonora are like that due to the old historical buildings. Benjamin Fig is a long/​deep store, so you keep going further and further back and making more discoveries. Add to that pleasant, low-​key customer service. No pressure, allowing you to browse and enjoy.
A final note: if you’re a Holly Yashi fan, Benjamin Fig’s will be glad to order any item for you (saving you shipping, and often at a better price).

Really neat little shop that has stuff nobody else in this area has. It’s neat to look around and check out all the art and it’s a great place to find little gifts for friends that are pretty reasonably priced.

Another favorite, imports, Indian scarves and sarongs, caftans, masks, incredible art, spectacular gifts. A must see. And you must visit the border collie, Poppy.

Very cool little gift shop!
They have some really incredible art as well. There’s these staggeringly intricate masks (I’m gonna buy one someday…) and framed art that will take you away to another place!
I always end up buying something when I stop in, but it’s also fun just to look as all the cool stuff!

It was the summer of ’97. I was 9 years old. I had just earned my first ever $ 100 from doing odd chores around the house.
We were in Calaveras County visiting my Grandma. I had been looking in my home city for quite some time for a crystal ball, because I wanted to be a witch when I grew up. I couldn’t find a good one anywhere.
Then, on July 14, 1997 I walked into this shop and found one. I remember quite clearly that day because of all the sevens. 7−14−97, with 14 being a multiple of 7. I remember thinking that it was very auspicious indeed that I should find the crystal ball I had been searching for on a day like that.
Years later, that crystal ball was in a box of precious things that I gave to a close friend to keep for me when I moved out of my parents’ house. That proved to a mistake, because that close friend was really no friend at all, and the whole box was stolen from me.
Whatever. Things are things, and they can be replaced. The quest began to replace, one by one, the things in that box.
Now I’m a grown-​up witch and have been for years. I was visiting my Grandma again and on a whim decided to look up Ben Fig’s and see if it was still around. It was indeed still around, with the same guy behind the counter too. It was a bit tricky to find though, because there was no sign out front. Once I stuck my head in the door, I knew I had the right place.
Much to my delight, the price of crystal balls has gone down since then. I was able to get a very nice one, bigger than my old one, for $ 30 cheaper than I paid last time.
Keep on rockin, Benjamin Fig!

First, the hours are always different. I was there at 2 pm and they weren’t open yet. I stopped back by an hour later on my way back to my car and noticed they were open. That said, this store is worth the wait. They have so many different things, you could never list them all. I love their different mix of jewelry and incense. The incense alone is worth the trip! They smell great, burn clean, and make little mess. The staff are always nice and you are always guaranteed a good conversation.

Benjamin Fig in downtown Sonora is full of unique gifts for others and yourself! Great jewelry. You should be able to find a great treat for yourself here.