Every November when Belle Leunig leaves frigid Illinois to visit her Southern California relatives, she also plans a stop at Seaport Village. There, she says, she finds the kinds of gifts or souvenirs that genuinely represent San Diego, whether a it be an original painting of the Hotel del Coronado or a coffee mug bearing the World’s Finest City logo.

Leunig, along with 4 million other tourists and natives each year, always finds something different in one of the center’s 57 stores. “Seaport Village is a truly magnificent place,” says Marilee Bankert, director of marketing on her second tour with the retail center.

This month, as Seaport Village observes its 25th anniversary, shoppers also can participate in celebration events.

A photographic retrospective of the 14-acre site from the late 1800s to the 1980 opening of the village is on display throughout the month in both east and west plazas. The exhibit is funded by the San Diego Unified Port District and curated by Linda Canada. It traces the area’s history from the early days of importing lumber, during World War II and into the commercial development beginning in the early 1970s.

From its beginning, the Seaport Village philosophy has called for one-of-a-kind shops. One of the dozen original stores that remain in the center is The Apple Box owned by David Klodowski, which sells wooden toys. Many can be ordered personalized with a child’s name. Another original store, Craig Learner’s Safari Animal Collection, can provide a creature for almost any collection.

The rest of the old-timers are Whitt Krauss Galleries, Village Hat Shop, Scandinavian Specialties, Trails West, Magic Shop/Southpaw, Captain’s Cove, Harbor House, Haberdashery, Greek Islands Café and The Tile Shop. Keeping the stores one-of-a-kind isn’t a problem, says Terry Hall, Seaport Village’s general manager. She cited “very low turnover” as one reason. “We have had only two or three shops roll over in the two years I have been here.” Another reason, she says, is that some owners have more than one shop in the center and understand the concept of specialization.

Those who don’t shop can dine at four restaurants with bay views, snack at 13 sidewalk eateries, ride the historic antique 1895 carousel with animals hand-carved by renowned artisan Charles Looff, or walk the four miles of the center’s cobblestone pathways and watch mimes, balloon sculptors, jugglers, street performers and artists at work.

Fifth Anniversary Events:

• All Month: Historic Photograph Exhibit in East and West Plazas.
  
  
• Oct. 8: “Taste of Seaport Village, samples from sidewalk eateries and restaurants, $10, benefits Child Abuse Prevention Foundation.
  
  
• Oct. 15 and 16: “Let Us Entertain You,” entertainers and artisans, many since the center opened, will be on hand throughout the weekend.
  
  
• Oct. 22 and 23: “Treasures of the 25th Anniversary” sale, 25 percent off one item at participating stores.