Pop-up shops touting everything from special edition surfboards to deeply discounted designer apparel and handmade goods by local artists and designers have descended upon The City just in time for the holiday shopping season. You'll find them in popular shopping destinations such as Union Square and Union Street, but also in the less-expected 'hoods of North Beach and Noe Valley. Just don't wait too long to pop on by these San Francisco pop-up shops. Their days, by nature, are numbered.
Local Patron: Open through mid-January in a North Beach storefront, this pop-up shop encourages shopping local with art, clothing, jewelry and accessories from such local labels, designers and artists as Alexandria von Bromssen, Hilary Williams, Fluidance, Jasmin Zorlu, Tamo Designs and Liza Sonia. The shop is located at 1418 Grant St., San Francisco.
Toschi: The only place you’ll find the complete Michael Toshi collection of men’s and women’s footwear, outerwear and accessories opened last week in the Embarcadero Center space formerly occupied by Crane & Co. To glimpse this label’s Italian-made goods, head to the ground floor of One Embarcadero Center.
Market SF: Local artisans and designers have populated this Hayes Valley shop with jewelry, clothing, ceramics, photography and items for the home. Stop by through Jan. 10 for apparel by gr.dano, tough cuffs and belts by Project Transaction, WhoMadeIt’s jewelry holders made from vintage teacups and plates, metal art by Ed Nielsen and much more. See it for yourself at 560 Laguna St., San Francisco.
DNA Sunday Funday: On Sunday, Dec. 13, this roving pop-up shop joins forces with The Firm boutique and takes over The Triple Crown for a shopping event benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco. The event promises drink and menu specials from the Hayes Valley venue and chances to shop from designers such as Alyssa Bird, The Girl and Rhino, Paola Loves to Shop, Gold & Citrus and Pretty Little Thing. Along with wares from the aforementioned local folks, there will be deals of up to 75 percent off retail on designer apparel from labels such as JBrand, Paige, Yoana Baraschi, Joie and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent.
One Trip Pass: Stocked with vintage apparel and other ephemera culled from its curator’s road trip across the nation earlier this year, this temporary installation brings all manner of Americana (to be worn as earnestly or ironically as you see fit) to the interiors of Levi’s flagship store in Union Square. Discover what we’re talking about at 300 Post St., San Francisco.
French Connection: Instead of bringing in merch from another brand, this label offers a pop-up shop of goods from its own collections on offer at outlet prices. Stop by between now and the end of the year for a selection of clothing and accessories for men and women priced at 75 percent off. Start perusing at 101 Powell St.
(RED) Pop-Up Store: Located inside the Gap flagship store at Market and Powell Streets, this temporary store open through Dec. 14 contributes to the fight against AIDS with every purchase. Inside, find products from (RED) partner companies such as Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Hallmark and Starbucks alongside special edition items from Solange Azagury-Partridge, Channel Island Surfboards and Timbuk2. You’ll find it at 890 Market St., San Francisco.
Sikara: Through the end of the month, this designer’s jewelry collections inspired by different cultures around the globe and handcrafted by an international team of artisans temporarily occupy a Union Street storefront. Stop by for pieces in sterling silver and 18k gold vermeil with semi-precious stones. The shop is located at 2167 Union Street.
Kipling Color Jam Pop-Up Shop: Limited edition bags from the leather Industria line are among the exclusive offerings at this temporary shop, open through Jan. 31. In addition to the bags the brand is known for, the shop houses works on canvas and in-store live painting sessions from students of the San Francisco Art Institute. Located at 170 Post St., 391-2172.
Super Pop-Up Shop: California College of the Arts students fill this Alameda Towne Centre storefront with interactive exhibits, including a wall of cans offering handmade porcelain cups in exchange for canned goods brought in as donations to the Alameda Food Bank. Open through Sunday.
Star Magic: A fixture along 24th Street until its closure in the late 1990’s, this Noe Valley retail shop carrying an eclectic array of books, accessories, toys, jewelry, crystals and curios related to the stars and New Age spirituality is back – and in the very same space it inhabited over a decade ago. An aura photography station and an “outer space room” decked in glowing stars and planets are among the attractions.
