The Mission, San Francisco Shopping; The Mission, San Francisco Stores

826 Valencia

Towards the back of 826 Valencia is a hidden treasure, a writing/tutoring center providing much needed help and guidance to local school kids. So it seems rather appropriate that the front space of the space function as a pirate supply store. From messages in a bottle, to glass eyes, to maps and flags, all your buccaneering needs are met in...

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Adobe Books

When a local artist wanted to do an art installation by rearranging all the books in a bookstore by color, Adobe Books agreed and the result was magical. Can you imagine a corporate store ever agreeing to such a thing? The delightful bookstore with an art gallery in the back is a space where books, art and people can peacefully coexist. First...

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Aquarius Records

Tired of music stores where the staff's knowledge does not run much deeper than Justin + Britney 4EVER? Try Aquarius Records. The feisty music store, specializing in indie rock, metal, punk and electronica, is like a music education in and of itself. Most albums on the racks come complete with a description / review / commentary on the...

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Architectural Elements

Architechtural Elements is the store with the courage of its convictions. The look they present is unwaveringly modern, from the block sofas to the dramatic lighting cast in steel or ceramic, from the substantial wooden dining room tables to the pristine glassware. Sure some of it looks sort of scary, and most of it comes with scary price...

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Candystore

There are definitely some candies, mostly of the classic variety, at CandyStore. But most of the candy comes in the form of eye candy. The cheery space fill racks and shelves with fun, colorful T-shirts, dresses, jackets and the like, often from local designers. To this sugary base they add both new and vintage accessories, plates, bowls and...

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Chamalyn

If you haven't had the pleasure of eating the Black Sesame Pocky snack or using an eraser shaped like sushi or writing on a notepad decorated with some cutesy critter on acid, it's never too late to start. Chamalyn stock the sorts of snacks, gifts and diversions you'll typically only find in Tokyo.

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Dema

Sure you could, and should, buy French fashions and Italian fashions and Japanese fashions. But don't miss the great clothing design that's happening right in your backyard. Dema is the shop and clothing line of San Francisco local Dema Grim. There are some nice basics lines around as well a smart collection of accessories but the star...

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Dog Eared Books

Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or two. They're consummate hosts to a variety of community reading, music and poetry events. And they each have something that chains will never...

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House of Hengst

House of Hengst quite literally houses designer Susan Hengst's thriving fashion line. The line is best known for its dresses, which exude femininity and confidence in equal parts. But almost as appealing are separates and outwear with careful detailing. While Hengst is sold in some rather nice boutiques around the country, as the one and...

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Little Otsu

Little Otsu began as a vegan accessories retailer but when it realized the vegan market as being met it morphed into a printer and retailer of creative paper goods. Now there's a progression that you'll only find in San Francisco. The shop's own line of artful journals, cards and planners anchor the store. But just as cool are...

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Modern Times Bookstore

Bill O'Reilly's head would probably explode upon walking into Modern Times Bookstore and can we all agree that that's a good thing? The decades old bookshop fills it shelves with titles on globalization politics, sexuality and other issues progressives/liberals care about.

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Monument

Monument is just that to the world of mid-century furniture and accessories design. Th museum like space house an enviable line up of furnishings. Like any museum, some pieces are classics that any informed vintage furniture buyer will instantly recognize while others of a more obscure provenance. The prices are high but we suppose...

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Needles & Pens

Needles & Pens shows us you don't need a book deal to publish, nor a sales rep and a studio to make clothes. This is creativity at a more personal, DIY level. Needles is led by co-owner Breezy Culbertson. Alongside T-shirts and such from other locals her clothing line consists of arty T-shirts and unique tops constructed from various...

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Paxton Gate

Paxton Gate calls itself an "eccentric garden store." The plants are in the back but to get there you'll have to navigate a wall of moose and deer heads, Japanese sheers and Slovakian watering cans, tables stacked with odd jars and bowls, intriguing bits of furniture, teas and tea accessories, preserved bugs and butterflies and...

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Rayon Vert

We might have passed by items like those in Rayon Vert a dozen times without taking a second look. Which explains why we'll never be able to open such a store. The shop, that was once more flower shop than home accessories shop and still does floral arrangements, has a knack for finding beautiful, often odd, objects and furnishings. These...

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Self Edge

The phrase Self Edge might not mean anything to the average person, but to the denim aficionado it's like a secret password into a world where shuttle looms and indigo dye, warp and weft are points of discussion. Self Edge is the origin of the term "selvage" which refers to denim typically woven on narrower looms, that are then...

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The Curiosity Shoppe

Curiosities are the objects that help turn a house into a home, an office into an personal workspace. And so we have The Curiosity Shoppe, one couple's guided tour of inspiring objects being made locally and around the world. Housewares, wearable accessories, kitchen knickknacks and books are all represented, a crafty, quirky aesthetic...

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X21 Modern

X21 sure sounds like it could be a sci-fi movie, so then it's appropriate that the store looks like the warehouse of a movie production. Stocking a huge collection of antique and vintage furniture, accessories and and oddities, if you can get past the shock factor and take a good look around you'll find some beautiful pieces. Giant...

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The Mission, San Francisco Shopping Guide

826 Valencia

Adobe Books

Aquarius Records

Architectural Elements

Candystore

Chamalyn

Dema

Dog Eared Books

House of Hengst

Little Otsu

Modern Times Bookstore

Monument

Needles & Pens

Paxton Gate

Rayon Vert

Self Edge

The Curiosity Shoppe

X21 Modern

826 Valencia

Adobe Books

Aquarius Records

Architectural Elements

Candystore

Chamalyn

Dema

Dog Eared Books

House of Hengst

Little Otsu

Modern Times Bookstore

Monument

Needles & Pens

Paxton Gate

Rayon Vert

Self Edge

The Curiosity Shoppe

X21 Modern

Elsewhere

Sites

Blogs