Tantrum – the ultra-creative retail shop that moved into the Mill Valley Lumber Yard in October 2023 – is celebrating its first anniversary, and they’re doing so with plenty of fun, as usual.
They’re bringing in a Slim Chance Circus performance, as well as free popcorn, on July 21st from 2-3pm, with 10% off in MV Tantrum all day long.
Tantrum took over the space formerly occupied by Once Around, longtime Mill Valley resident Louise Dockstader’s go-to hub for all manner of DIY projects, which she bought Once Around from original owner Julie Stanton on Miller Ave. and had reopened it at 75 Throckmorton Ave. in November 2016.
Landing Tantrum served as one of the latest examples of the Mathews family’s driving force behind the massive, brilliantly re-envisioned adaptation of the Mill Valley Lumber Yard starting in 2012.
So what makes Tantrum, the latest thrilling infusion of energy at MVLY, so unique? Not surprisingly, it’s the duo who created it.
The north star for owners Amanda and Richard Weld is a combination of sophisticated and timeless playfulness, which has made their shop as much fun for grownups as for their children.
The couple’s rare combination of sophisticated style and timeless playfulness centers on the 1950s summer carnivals – the big top of yore, bright colors and bold graphics.
The Welds say that Tantrum’s unique character stems from a rare marriage of classic, mid-century style with the best of today’s handmade toys, all curated within the theme of a lively, old fashioned circus.
The product line spans well beyond the U.S., with patrons finding Danish mice, French dolls, German lights and organic threads, letter pressed cards, art supplies, party supplies and an array of children’s books. Weld wanted the shop to mirror her children’s circus themed birthday parties.
The Weld’s are both natives of Charleston, having met in high school and traveled in the same social circles. They went their separate ways in college but eventually returned to Charleston. Along the way, Amanda did children’s portraits and went to Savannah College of Art & Design as an illustration major, opening her first store in 2001. Richard has performed for years in a number of successful bands, and continues to do so. His band is called Commoner.
They moved to the Bay Area in 2008. Amanda and Richard run the stores, bringing a sense of joy and community.