San Francisco » Shop Girl

The Curiosity Shoppe

Anh-Minh Le — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:30:12 +0000

We love online shopping, but adorable stores like The Curiosity Shoppe make us want to step away from the computer and run out with credit card in hand. Owners Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom launched the store as an e-commerce site last year and, earlier this month, they went brick-and-mortar on us.

The couple managed to transform an old veterinarian’s office into a space filled with great artwork and housewares. Be sure to pay close attention to the fixtures throughout. They, along with their talented friends, designed and assembled everything themselves.

Oh, don’t let the small amount of square footage here fool you: There’s plenty to keep you busy browsing and buying for hours. You’ll be glad you left the house.

The Curiosity Shoppe
855 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA. 94110
(415) 839-6404

Barneys

Anh-Minh Le — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:40:20 +0000

Finally! San Francisco is now home to Barneys, a must-visit every time I’m in New York City. But now I don’t have to fly thousands of mile to see what’s new at the Co-Op.

The Union Square location is the old FAO Schwarz. Remember that building? It’s not super-big, but it’s better than nothing. On the fourth floor is where you’ll find labels like Diane Von Furstenberg, Madison Marcus, Demylee, Marc by Marc Jacobs … the list of swoon-worthy designers goes on and on.

Oh, and shoes are on the second floor, which is more like a mezzanine than an entire floor. If you wear at least a size 36, you’re in for a real treat. (Luckily, ladies with petite feet like myself still have Nordstrom!)

So the next time you’re shopping downtown, be sure to add this to the list of places to drop by. And, if you want one of those black cotton Co-Op bags, you probably have to ask — but, from what I witnessed during opening weekend, the Barneys staff will be happy to oblige.

Barneys
77 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 268-3500

Salt

Anh-Minh Le — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:00:15 +0000

On a stroll through downtown Los Gatos last week, I was shocked to see how many charming new shops had recently opened. The most surprising was Salt, a cool women’s boutique that resembles something you might find on Union or Fillmore Streets in San Francisco — not in the suburbs.

Salt has only been open for about a month now, but already, the inventory is impressive. I was immediately drawn into the shop by the Charlotte Ronson print tops. Graham & Spencer, T Luxury, Mimi & Coco and Jenny Han are also carried here.

So if you live in the Peninsula or South Bay, you no longer have to drive all the way up to San Francisco for your next big-date or girls-night-out outfit. With the money you save on gas, you can pick up a necklace at Salt to complete your new look.

Salt
78 West Main Street
Los Altos, CA
(408) 395-0800

Egg and Urban Mercantile

Anh-Minh Le — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:29:25 +0000

Parking in Cole Valley is tough. Really tough. But it’s worth it in order to pay a visit to wonderful shops like Egg & Urban Mercantile. (Public transportation takes you practically to their door as well.)

This is the perfect place to go when you’re trying to find a gift for hard-to-shop-for friends. (And don’t we all have a few of those?) We love how they mix in goods from local artists (like Kevin Harris and Whitney Smith) with cool products from other small manufacturers (like Bay Area-based Roost).

Egg & Urban Mercantile even has a fantastic selection of letterpress cards, so you can pick up everything you need in one trip.

Egg & Urban Mercantile
85 Carl Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 643-MERC or (415) 564-2248

Sports Basement

Anh-Minh Le — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:05:16 +0000

No matter how many times this store moves around or where its current lease takes it, sports enthusiasts will follow. Originally located near AT&T Park (or whatever they’re calling the Giants’ ballpark these days!), the sports emporium moved to Potrero when rents got to high in their old neighborhood. Now, they’ve crossed over to the other side of Potrero Avenue and landed in the old Hamm Brewery. An enormous mural at the store’s entrance, next to the bicycle parking, is an homage to the building’s history.

In this brand-new location, Sports Basement has lots more square footage so it no longer feels cramp. Previously, they had just too much merchandise crammed into too small an area. Now, with several levels, you can browse more easily for whatever it is you’re looking for — including bicycling, running, fitness, hiking, camping, swimming and skiing gear. And there’s even free parking, so you don’t have to fight for a spot out on the street.

Sports Basement
1590 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 575-3000

610 Mason Street (at Crissy Field in the Presidio)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 437-0100

1177 Kern Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA
(408) 732-0300

Romi, Palo Alto

Anh-Minh Le — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:28:38 +0000

I recently returned from a trip to NYC and was missing all of those wonderful boutiques out there.

Then, along came Romi.

I discovered this fantastic shop in downtown Palo Alto — a few blocks from the main drag of University Avenue. Step inside and, after perusing the racks and stacks of designer clothing, you’ll forget you’re in the suburbs. (It’s just as cute as some of the shops I encountered in NYC’s Soho and Meatpacking districts.)

I tried on several items, and walked out with a simple yet stylish Susana Monaco dress. Other labels carried here: Alice & Olivia, Nanette Lepore, Lauren Moffatt, Rebecca Taylor and T-Bags. You’ll also find premium denim by the likes of Citizens of Humanity, J Brand and Aristocrat.

The staff was super-friendly. And if I wasn’t in such a hurry, I could’ve spent at least an hour going through all of the merchandise at Romi.

Psst: Although the store in Palo Alto has been around for over a year, they recently opened a location in San Francisco as well.

Romi
624 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-7664

2512 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-7664

Eden and Eden

Anh-Minh Le — Sat, 19 May 2007 04:27:12 +0000

Okay, I have a new favorite store. And I’m almost afraid to share it with you, because shop-owner Rachel Eden doesn’t really maintain any backstock. So, if you see a dress in your size, you need to snap it up because it’s probably the only one available — not just in this store, in the entire western half of the U.S.

Eden & Eden carries a lot of European labels that you can’t find anywhere else around here. So it’s perfect for those of us who enjoy walking around in our Ivana Helsinki dress, knowing that every other girl on the street covets but can’t have it.

In addition to adorable new and vintage clothing, the store offers a well-edited selection of housewares. There’s a range of prices — including Lovely Home tea towels and doily placemats that are under $20, as well as vintage floral wall ornaments that are $100-200. Bigger furnishings are more expensive.

Even if you can’t afford to spend half a month’s rent on a floor lamp, maybe you can take home a brightly colored chain necklace for $52? You just have to beat me to the store and buy it before I do.

Eden & Eden
560 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 983-0490

Rose and Radish

Anh-Minh Le — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:21:03 +0000

Once upon a time, Rose and Radish was a shop devoted entirely to floral arrangements. But we are so glad that owner Cate Kellison decided to expand the storefront, creating a gallery-like space for modern pieces.

Rose and Radish stocks lamps, tabletop accessories, adorable knick-knacks such as little animal bobbleheads, and even large-scale furniture (I love the ventless fireplace and Blu Dot tables). But even when I’m not in the buying mood, I like to pop in and check out the displays here. The photo above shows the store all decked out for the “Urban” exhibit.

Don’t forget to check out the lovely letterpressed cards by the front door. They’re the perfect finishing touch to a gift or bouqet of flowers picked up at Rose and Radish.

Rose and Radish
460 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 864-4988

Peace Industry

Anh-Minh Le — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:06:29 +0000

After repeated trips to Iran, husband and wife team Melina and Dodd Raissnia developed an interest in hand-made felt rugs. In 2005, they opened a rug shop in San Francisco — offering modern yet organic designs. The name? It’s rooted in the couple’s previous work, which involved making peace flags.

Any of Peace Industry’s designs can be custom made with the colors of your choosing, and the size that fits your needs. At $35-45 per square foot, the rugs can add up to a bit of an investment. But the store has a fantastic policy that allows customers to take a rug home on loan for a few days. Try it out, make sure you like it before you commit to buying it.

Oh, and chances are good that after you feel the felt under your feet, you won’t just like it — you’ll love it.

Peace Industry
535 Octavia Boulevard
San Francisco, CA
(415) 255-9940

Daiso

Anh-Minh Le — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:08:07 +0000

A few weeks ago, I was driving through Daly City, along 280, when there — at Serramonte Shopping Center, glowing in the fog — was the word “Daiso.” Big and red, on the side of a building that used to be a Good Guys.

It was already past nine o’clock, so the store was already closed for the day. But the next day, I made the trip back and was rewarded with so much Japanese goodness!

Daiso is a Japanese dollar-store that opened its first U.S. shop in the Seattle area about a year ago. The Daly City outpost is the first of several slated for the Bay Area. Most of the goods in the 12,000-square feet store are priced at about $1.50. And there is plenty to choose from: kitchenware, office supplies, gardening tools, organization items … Really, I don’t have the space or time to list it all here!

Go and see for yourself. Bring the spare change from your couch. Empty a piggy bank. You won’t need much more than that for a full-on shopping spree here.

Daiso
146 Serramonte Center
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 992-7462