In the already-hip Mission District of San Francisco, these new concept shops add another layer of cool.
This local heritage brand (pictured), which draws on nostalgia from L.L. Bean and Jansport, opened a much-awaited brick-and-mortar shop this week. The sunny atrium serves as a shrine to the holy last-minute weekend escape, with canvas bags that pop with waxy reds, soothing hickory, and olive twill from the stark white walls. The Boat Tote, a sturdy canvas classic with leather straps and copper rivet accents, is designed for venturing on land or at sea; soft Italian leather envelope wallets easily conceal an iPhone. A picture window inside lets shoppers peek at the 1,300-square-foot studio where everything is created by hand or with custom machinery.
Stylist Pauline Montupet has been dressing high-end clients from New York to San Francisco for years. Now she’s dressing the discerning Mission crowd at her minimalist Valencia Street digs, Le Point. The Instagram-worthy space is stocked with clothes and accessories that define her soft but edgy urban look: Cheeky brunch-ready statement sunglasses, and mixed selections from hard-to-find brands like Creatures of Comfort, Opening Ceremony, and Summer Bummer.
The blonde wood shelves at this artfully curated store highlight cool West Coast craft, particularly California’s iconic indoor-outdoor living style. Plenty of home wares destined for nonchalant backyard dinner parties, like wood-accented utensils and hexagonal gold napkin rings, or cozy tribal-patterned alpaca blankets for when the evening coastal fog tumbles in. Prints of San Francisco landmarks designed by local illustrators and handmade ceramics add color accents for indoors.
More good reads from T+L:
• In San Francisco, Restaurateurs Are Bringing Back Dinner and a Show
• The Stylish Traveler’s Guide to Shopping in Los Angeles
• San Francisco’s Best Under-the-Radar Beach Escapes
