Living Local: Citrine Design Shop

By Olivia Lee

Edited by Marian Mohamed

Adia Bobo, owner of Citrine Design Shop, with Olivia Lee in front of the store. (Photo by Kenneth Hashimoto)

Hello! This is Olivia Lee with Ground Zero Radio (GZ Radio). You might’ve seen me on our Instagram or maybe you’ve read one of my articles here on the GZ Radio website. But in case you don’t know me, let me introduce myself! I’m a lifelong Washingtonian, avid cinephile, and Weezer enthusiast. With GZ Radio, I work as a journalist while also being the host, producer, and director of the GZ Radio original show Living Local.

Living Local shines a light on the small businesses, organizations, and people that breathe life into our communities and propel our local culture forward. We spotlight their unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs to inspire and educate others through the diverse voices and perspectives that shape our world through storytelling and interviews.

In anticipation of our debut release later this month, I decided to create a web-journal to document the background of each episode. You’ll get a personal look into how the Living Local crew and I operate, capturing the fun and crazy moments that happen off-screen. Without further ado, here’s the journey behind Living Local’s origins and our first episode with Citrine Design Shop!

But first, let’s rewind a bit. I joined GZ Radio during summer 2023 after having previously collaborated on the TeenTix Arts Podcast. I initially worked in the newsroom as a journalist covering local music events, but I wanted to experiment with a new medium. GZ Radio provided access to a ton of resources to pursue any creative endeavor I could dream of, so I knew there was no better time than now to start a new project.

Being a teenager in the journalism world is intimidating, especially when your lack of experience and young age feels like a barrier. But GZ Radio has shown me otherwise. They’ve encouraged me to embrace my unique perspective as a young journalist rather than downplaying my age. Thanks to their support, I’ve been able to confidently pursue projects like Living Local. I hope my work inspires other young people to get involved in media journalism while making art accessible for all ages. Teens shouldn’t be just receivers of culture, we should be active influencers of it. After all, you’re never too young to make an impact!

Video journalism was a medium that intimidated me so it was the perfect challenge. Although I knew I’d have to step out of my comfort zone, starting an original show was an exciting career opportunity to grow as a journalist and a storyteller. After brainstorming ideas for shows, I felt drawn to create one that surrounded the question, “What is community?” The complexity of this question intrigued me. Community can mean so many different things and the possibilities to explore it are endless. Which makes it a perfect concept for my series!

Truth be told, I was nervous about our first episode. I wanted to set the perfect tone for the series but I had no idea who to feature first. After careful consideration, I chose Citrine Design Shop, a boutique that features jewelry, art, and home goods made by more than 100 independent designers and artists from around the world.

Nestled in Issaquah’s Gilman Village, a quaint shopping center featuring locally owned stores, Citrine quickly became a favorite spot of mine. Having worked briefly in Gilman Village, I occasionally visited Citrine after my shifts to shop or to simply admire the new items on display.

Every time I stepped inside, the golden atmosphere instantly wrapped around me, warming me up from the harsh winter air like the glow of a crackling fireplace. My frequent visits led to a friendship with Adia Bobo, the store’s owner, which made Citrine feel even more like home. I loved that feeling of authentic, face-to-face connection, a feeling I wanted to replicate with Living Local. It was the perfect choice for my show’s debut.

Citrine Design Shop draws its name from the Citrine gemstone, a luminous, amber-hued gemstone. True to its namesake, the store’s atmosphere is both inviting and cozy, the warm lighting inside mirroring the gem’s golden glow.

The Living Local crew and I filmed at night, which allowed the store’s lighting to shine radiantly, infusing the episode with a warm, vivid tone. Space was pretty limited, so we relied on a lot of handheld camerawork to capture intimate angles and maintain a sense of closeness, ensuring the visuals reflected the charm of Citrine. I especially wanted to make sure we got a closeup shot of the vintage bluetooth speaker!

Citrine Design Shop defines community by embodying the warmth, friendliness, and creativity that bring people together. It’s more than a store; it’s a gathering space where customers feel valued, where friendships are built, and where local craftsmanship is on display. It’s a place that feels like home.

Art display at Citrine Design Shop. (Photo by Kenneth Hashimoto)

When it came to post-production, the team and I carefully debated every artistic choice because we knew the first episode would set an important precedent. What type of music do we want in the background? Do we want to have cooler or warmer color grading? The first episode wasn't just about making a good first impression—it was about creating an opportunity where our audience could connect with the themes and the message we wanted to share.

The editing process was tedious but very fun. Adobe Premiere Pro and I have never gotten along so Kenneth Hashimoto, our production lead, masterfully edited our first episode. I remember watching in awe as he effortlessly modified the leftover b-roll clips into a snappy montage. Some other memorable moments I cherish are scrolling through thousands of songs to use for background music and developing logo concepts with our graphic designer, Javen. 

Going back to the series’ overarching question of “What is community?” I’ve tried to answer this many times, and I don’t think there’s one answer! Community isn’t bound by a physical location; it’s the small businesses that feel like home, the local organizations that uphold our societal structure, and the musicians, authors, and other creative people that bring it to life. I’m excited to explore this idea further, build this community with you, and share the stories of the diverse voices and perspectives that shape our world.

So with that, let me welcome you to Living Local! This isn’t just the start of a show, it’s the start of a community we’re building.