If you’ve ever spotted a stylish pin or button celebrating Southern California’s iconic landmarks, there’s a good chance Merch Motel designed it. Known for its vintage-inspired merch, the brand pays tribute to beloved local businesses, buildings, and neighborhoods through eye-catching pins, keychains, magnets, and buttons.
Now, Barkev Msrlyan, the creative mind behind Merch Motel, is giving back to the Altadena community with a new collection of designs. Even more touching, all proceeds from these items will be donated to fire relief efforts following the recent devastating wildfires.
Merch Motel’s New Collection: A Tribute to Altadena
Merch Motel has launched a special line of items honoring Altadena, including:
- Mt. Lowe – A tribute to the historic railway and scenic mountain views.
- Christmas Tree Lane – A design inspired by the famous illuminated holiday street.
- Local Songbirds – Capturing the charm of Altadena’s wildlife.
- Sahag Mesrob School Pin – A heartfelt tribute to the school lost in the Eaton Fire.
- All proceeds from this pin will go directly toward rebuilding the school.
The designs, available for pre-order now, showcase Altadena’s rich history and culture, turning meaningful landmarks into collectible keepsakes.
A Passion Project Born from Tragedy
Following the recent wildfires, Msrlyan felt compelled to help the community through his art. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Jan. 15, Merch Motel shared:
“I have spent the last week with friends and family, helping out our community. My heart aches. I’ve been more personal on here, sharing stories from these places that we’ve lost.”
“I can’t sleep or focus on anything else. While staying up late, I worked on these concepts to help raise funds.”
His passion for preserving history and supporting those affected by the fires is evident in this project, making each pin, magnet, and keychain more than just a souvenir—they’re symbols of community resilience and remembrance.
How to Support the Fundraiser
If you’d like to own a piece of Altadena’s history while supporting fire relief efforts, you can pre-order your favorite items now.
Ways to Purchase:
- Pins, keychains, stickers, and magnets are available for pre-order on the Merch Motel website.
- Follow Merch Motel on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes looks at the designs.
- Share the project to help spread awareness and support fire recovery efforts.
Merch Motel’s latest collection is more than just a celebration of Altadena’s landmarks—it’s a way to give back to a community recovering from devastating fires.
By purchasing these beautifully crafted pins, keychains, and magnets, supporters can preserve local history while helping rebuild what was lost. If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or a way to contribute to fire relief efforts, this is a perfect opportunity to do both.
