Shopping: Fillmore Street, Pacific Heights
Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights is chock full of brand name stores, like Kiehl’s, Ralph Lauren and Jonathan Adler, but it’s also home to a number of unique shops that keep it from being just another outdoor mall.
Running roughly from Pacific Heights’ border with Japantown on Sutter Street up to the top of the hill at Jackson Street, this seven block shopping row offers everything from modern home design to high end clothing boutiques and accessories to antiques. Following is just a sampling of what one can find on Fillmore.
Clary Sage Organics // Courtesy Clary Sage Organics
Though there are a few men’s boutiques, Fillmore Street is heavy on female appeal, with places such as Clary Sage Organics, a store that carries clothing, beauty products and wellness potions, like medicinal teas. Clary Sage Organics offers 100 percent organic or ecologically sustainable products made with chemical- and pesticide-free methods, with many items sourced from local producers. Not to be missed are the Scallop Seamed Leggings that are made from recycled water bottles and feature contrast stitching and knee patch detail. To match, there’s a vintage-inspired swim girdle top in the same material.
Across the way and up the block is Erica Tanov women’s wear. In contrast to what could be called the eco/urban-outdoors power yoga feel of Clary Sage, Erica Tanov’s clothing has a more serene/meditative vibe. Erica’s signature collection is made up of basic but beautifully simple pieces including cotton tops and silk slips. The assortment is enhanced by apparel and delicate jewelry from designers like Megan Park, Fog Linen and Sarah McGuire.
To complete an outfit, there are a number of stores specializing in accessories, such as Muse Ten, a woman’s handbag boutique dedicated to carrying the latest styles from designers such as Orla Kiely, Botkier Sophia and Kooba Emma. Muse Ten carries every type of bag and case to tote one’s goodies, from smaller wallets and clutches to larger diaper and laptop bags. Thrown in for good measure are some smaller accessories a la leather belts from Bliss Lau and scarves from Leigh and Luca.
More accessories, wallets and bags for both men and women can be found at Hlaska (the store name is a combination of Hawaii and Alaska). The locally-made luxury items are designed to reflect elements of nature, science and engineering. These include cufflinks, fashioned from the fuselage of an old Pan-American Boeing airplane among other sources, and leather wallets and billfolds embossed with textures ranging from Tesla tire treads to wood grain and more.
For home design hunters, Zinc Details, an independently owned showroom and gallery, is a must. It provides a mix of art, home accessories and furniture from around the world, including well-known designers like Knoll, Herman Miller and Marimekko, mixed with work of emerging artists. Zinc Details also hosts events that include art shows and workshops. Interested parties should check out the calendar on the Zinc Details website and join the store mailing list.
People who like their dwellings furnished in a more romantic style should visit home décor store Nest, where it always feels like springtime in Paris. It’s stuffed with pretty things, many made in France, like lacy linens, comfy quilts and hand-made children’s toys. Even if shoppers can’t afford the inventory in this cute, cozy and quirky shop, it’s worth popping in to be inspired by how the owners transformed this former pharmacy. For example, they maintained some of the charm of the original space by keeping the pharmaceutical cabinets and old plaster walls, but enhanced the aesthetic by creating chandeliers that resemble nests.
Nest // Courtesy Nest
Pacific Heights might not seem like the neighborhood for a bargain, but for those with tighter budgets there are a smattering of second hand shops stocked with high quality merchandise at reasonable prices. First is Seconds to Go, a resale shop offering clothing, small furniture and appliances, kitchenware, jewelry, antiques, sports equipment, toys, books and accessories. Operated by Schools of the Sacred Heart which is located just up the street, Seconds to Go has raised over $1 million for the Financial Aid program at Convent & Stuart Hall in the almost four decades the shop has been in business.
Deal hunters might also want to check out Repeat Performance. It carries a similar potpourri of items as Seconds to Go, but with more tchotchkes. Here, proceeds from sales of the gently used items help the San Francisco Symphony in its work throughout the Bay Area.
Indian Sandals and leather belt at Erica Tanov // Photo by Michelle Sieling
