Azzurra gift shop Owner Sasha Leaman didn’t start her career in retail—in fact, she never even worked in a shop before opening one of her own. A healthcare professional with a clinical doctorate in physical therapy, Leaman’s path to curating a refined and serene storefront in Fairhaven was anything but typical.
“It was a long-held dream,” she says. “One I figured maybe I’d get to in 10 or 15 years—if ever.”
Photograph by Teo Crider
A Dream Takes Shape
But life, as it often does, intervened. A series of personal events collided with a serendipitous opportunity: a lease became available on a storefront in Fairhaven. It was the mirror image of a beloved space across the street, one she and her husband had admired from afar. Around the same time, Leaman reconnected with Becky, the retiring owner of a shop in Seattle, that she’d always loved. Becky became both a mentor and a generous guide, offering not just wisdom but fixtures—glass shelves, an Italian fountain—that now form the bones of Azzurra.
“It all happened within two weeks. I got pregnant, found the lease, and decided to just go for it.”
Leaman now runs the shop alongside her husband, splitting time with their son, Oak. The early part of the week is spent in full-time parenting mode; by the end of the week, they’re all together in the store.
“It’s definitely a partnership,” she says with a smile.
Step inside Azzurra and you’re met with quiet elegance—a space designed to feel light and intentional, from the wallpaper to the marble-slab counter and the hand-built wooden stage.
“Azzurra is Italian for a soft shade of blue,” Leaman explains, noting that she wanted a name that evoked a feeling rather than a literal meaning. Growing up on a 20-acre sheep farm surrounded by wild rose bushes, quail, and rabbits, she drew inspiration from that pastoral setting when designing the shop’s logo—a whimsical rabbit on a weathervane meant to feel inviting, light, airy, and uplifting. Her goal is simple: even if visitors don’t buy anything, they leave feeling good.
“I wanted it to be refined but approachable,” Leaman says. “Not too sparse like a gallery, and not too cluttered. Just enough to let you breathe.”
The aesthetic draws inspiration from old-world Europe, with French music playing gently in the background. Leaman has curated a unique selection of goods—candles from Trudon, the oldest active candle house in the world; botanical scents from Carrière Frères; linen textiles; niche perfume from Iceland and New Zealand; and decoupage glass trays from a New York artist—often with help from her mother, whose artistic eye she greatly values. While
Azzurra doesn’t currently carry local brands, everything in the shop is chosen with story and intention.
“It’s not just about the object,” Leaman says. “It’s about what it means—what it adds to someone’s day.”
Photograph by Teo Crider
A Community Hub
The shop has quickly become a place of connection.
“Fairhaven feels like a third space,” Leaman says, referencing the European concept of a place that isn’t home or work, but something in between. “We’re not just here to sell something—we’re here to slow down, chat, and maybe bring a little beauty into someone’s day.” That sense of community is part of what makes Azzurra feel so rooted—neighbors stop by regularly, nearby shop owners have been welcoming, and Leaman often finds herself in meaningful conversations with locals who just wander in. “The people here really care,” she adds. “It’s been a huge part of making this dream sustainable.”
And for Leaman, stepping away from healthcare was never about giving up purpose—it was about redefining it. 1200 10th St., Ste.104, Bellingham, 360.815.8212, Instagram @shopazzurra, shopazzurra.com
