MCM Road Trip to Polk Street in San Francisco
Lots of vintage mid century items at STUFF at its new location on Pacific Avenue in San Francisco, CA.
Fans of vintage finds will remember the shop aptly named Stuff that occupied a huge space on Valencia Street in San Francisco’s Mission District neighborhood since 2011.
In 2024 the owners, James Spinelo and Will Lenker, were unsuccessful in negotiating a new lease and decided to close the shop. The original owners took the opportunity to retire but a former vendor, Ha Kwan, soon reopened on Polk Street in March 2024. James and Will gave him their blessing to use the original name and concept.
Kwan even used the original signage and bright orange paint that we all associate with the original Stuff on Valencia Street.
Plenty of beautiful mid century furniture like this wall unit at Stuff near Polk Street in San Francisco
The space on Pacific is much smaller — 5300 square feet — and so by necessity is more curated than the larger Valencia Street location. When we visited there seemed to be more large furniture pieces and artwork and less vintage clothes, glass and other decor items.
Squiggle Blue (center) at Stuff - MCM curated furniture store on Pacific Avenue in San Francisco , CA
We loved this piece by called Squiggle Blue (1970) by artist Simon Tashimoto and had to take it home with us.
There is also a Stuff Vintage Modern (@stuffeastbay) located in Albany but the big news is that Stuff by Luxe (@stuffbyluxe) has opened a second SF location and is returning to the Mission District at its new location on Harrison Street — four blocks from its former Valencia Street location.
While on Polk Street we took the opportunity to visit a few of our other favorite spots.
Bella Cose Molte Cose on Polk Street in San Francisco, CA
Step into Belle Cose Molte Cose and be prepared to spend a few delightful hours browsing both modern and vintage finds. Vintage clothing, kids toys, vintage glassware, jewelry and more share the corner space at Polk and Vallejo. Owner Theresa Nittolo opened a version of the shop more than 25 years ago and has an eye for creating vignettes that make you want to buy everything you see.
The Candy Store on Vallejo Street in San Francisco has everything for the sweet tooth.
After all this shopping we needed an energy boost so we stopped at The Candy Store for a few bags of cinnamon bears and retro candy bars.
Backroads - A painting by MJ Elmore at Studio Gallery - Pacific Street, San Francisco
The Studio Gallery is well known for their Tiny Show but don’t miss their other exhibits during the year including Terrain — CA Landscapes, San Francisco Noir and Delicious, among others.
Smoke Signals Magazine Store on Polk Street in San Francisco is loaded with magazines from all over the world.
A visit to Polk Street wouldn’t feel complete without a stop at Smoke Signals Newsstand. Some call owner Fadi Berbery’s shop a relic from a long gone era but clearly he is offering something we all still crave given his 30 tenure at the same small shop on Polk Street.
Eyeball purses at Picnic in San Francisco, CA
Our last stop that day was at Picnic SF — a jewel box of a shop offering tableware, jewelry, cards, candles and other decor.
We have just scratched the surface of the many shops and restaurants in the Polk Street area and you could easily spend an entire day shopping and eating in the area.
