Vas Kiniris, cofounder and owner of the 25-year-old home design shop Zinc Details, is ready to move on. He's putting out the call to would-be buyers: This longtime darling of Fillmore Street (a multimillion-dollar biz) is officially on the market. Only lovers of Midcentury Modern style need apply.
Long celebrated by the local media as one of San Francisco's best retailers and beloved as a community gathering place for a myriad of events (panel discussions, artist exhibits, shopping parties), Zinc Details promises a new owner plenty of cachet and built-in customer loyalty, to say nothing of the plentiful stylish contents (Knoll couches! Cherner chairs!) that fill the 4,000-square-foot space.
We sat down with Kiniris, who, incidentally, was also named to 7x7's 2016 Style Council, to get the, er, details on his ideal buyer, whether he's really ready to sell, and what's next for him. Hint: The nattily dressed Kiniris will still be a regular fixture on Fillmore Street.
Inside Zinc Details
The store's entryway has a unique midcentury design with the original 1950s Dollar Dept. Store logo embedded in the terrazzo flooring. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
The 4,000-square-foot showroom has 30-foot ceilings and the original hardwood floors from its first incarnation as a dollar store in the 1950s. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
Zinc Details offers a curated selection of items from around the world. The aesthetic: Scandinavian meets Japanese design, with an accent of midcentury California. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
ZD's library of new and vintage design books is illuminated with lighting from SF-based Pablo Designs. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
Midcentury vibes come courtesy of lines including Gus Modern, Blu Dot, Knoll, Modernica, and local artists. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
The chair "wall of fame" mixes basics with iconic classics. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
Kiniris has always kept the needs of urban dwellers in mind, stocking innovative modular furniture such as this piece by Danish designer Pier Weiss. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
In addition to furniture, the shop carries a well edited collection of gifts and accessories from local and international brands. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
Modular living pieces by Canada's Gus Modern. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
A fuchsia vintage Indian carpet, as well as accessories at a range of price points, keeps the modern aesthetic fresh. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
Inside Zinc Details
The loft-like space perfectly evokes the feeling of modern-industrial San Francisco living. (Photography by Patricia Chang)
7x7: After 25 years, why sell now?
VK: I am ready for a change, and the time seems right. Most significantly, I'm excited by my roles as executive director of the Fillmore Merchant Association (FMA)—where I've been able to use all my knowledge to promote all the small businesses in the neighborhood—and as secretary of the SF Council of District Merchant Associations (SFCDMA), which represents 21 merchant associations in the city. Bottom line: I want to be able to focus on these jobs, and I am quite open to whatever else may come my way.
What's in it for a new owner?
A lot of history—design history and design consciousness are built into the DNA of Zinc Details. We started before the internet, remember. We even worked with Yves Behar when he was still struggling. Plus, we're not just a store—we've built an emotional connection via the pieces and furniture embedded in so many San Francisco homes. And, of course, the store appeals to so many types…designers, techies, families. Many celebs, like Robin Williams, David Bowie and Jeremy Irons, have passed through over the years.
Tell us about your dream buyer.
I would love to pass the reins to someone who truly loves people and wants to engage with them; someone who loves design and wants to create a community and emotional connections. A potential owner should be involved with the day-to-day affairs of the business, and someone who also wants to grow the business—there are many opportunities to seize upon, and quite a bit of room to expand e-commerce sales.
Are you suuure you're ready to part with it?
Look, I have been thinking about selling for a while. My wife [Wendy Nishimura Kiniris] and I started this business when we were so young—UC Berkeley grads with an initial investment of $2,000. We were paying $500 a month rent in the Tenderloin. We didn't have money, but we had creativity. So, of course it will be hard to say goodbye, but mostly I am super proud of our success and thankful for our customers. I'm also happy we could help makers and artists along the way—they are a crucial part of the success of the business.
// Zinc Details is located at 1633 Fillmore St. (Lower Pac Heights), zincdetails.net. Interested parties should contact Vas Kiniris at vas@zincdetails.com for more information.
