Paxton Gate founder Sean Quigley joins the podcast to talk about his store's unique offering of curiously mind-expanding oddities inspired by the natural sciences. Paxton Gate is  a mainstay of the Valencia corridor in the Mission District with a huge following for its taxidermy, minerals, and overall quirky surprises for the home. 

Lucky 13 is a San Francisco Icon! Sue Fisher King started her eponymous brand in Presidio Heights in 1978 and it has been the go-to for elegant home tabletop, bedding, bath, and accessories ever since. Sue is a dynamic, fun retailer whose legendary taste and discernment have developed one of the city's time-honored retail stores. 

Tantrum is a toy store that's more like a treasure trove of timeless toys that appeal to kids and kids at heart. Amanda talks about how she and her husband Richard founded Tantrum, where they find their unique style of toys, and some of the struggles they've overcome as a small business in San Francisco. Find Tantrum in the inner Richmond at 248 Clement St, or online at www.shoptantrum.com, and on Instagram at @tantrumsf. 

In part two of our look at Shreve & Co - a chat with Lane Schiffman - managing partner and co-owner of The Schiffman Group, the current owners of Shreve & Co. We talk about how and why Shreve & Co is in its new location at 150 Post Street, how the brand has tightened its focus on watches and jewelry, and how the luxury market requires a level of old-world service that is difficult to come by in other retail sectors. 

A brief history of Shreve & Co from its founding in San Francisco in 1852, up until its acquisition by The Schiffman Group in 1992. Episode features archival articles from the San Francisco Chronicle, talking about the Shreve store from the 1890s in detail. There is also the first-hand account of a Shreve employee in the immediate aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Next week's episode will feature an interview with Lane Schiffman, Managing Partner of The Schiffman Group, who will join me to talk about Shreve & Co, and how its a robust business perfectly poised to serve San Francisco's luxury market.Resources:Shreve & Co:http://www.shreve.comhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve_%26_Co.https://www2.northwestmuseum.org/museum/participant-shreve-company-3474.htmArthur C. Poore’s account of the 1906 Earthquake:https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=An_Eyewitness_Recounts_the_Quake_of_1906 Henry Birks Bankruptcy: (https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2681668308)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birks_Grouphttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_CorporationWilliam Curlett & Willis Polk:https://noehill.com/architects/curlett.aspxhttp://pcad.lib.washington.edu/firm/532/http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/153/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Polkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_and_Alexander_CurlettSan Francisco Chronicle:December 6, 1889, no author citation, “Holiday Trade: Seasonable Gifts in the City’s Stores; Treasure House of Art - George C. Shreve & Co’s Magnificent Holiday Display”July 18, 1903, no author citation, mention of William Curlett building at Post and GrantMarch 17, 1906, no author citation, - “Shreve & Company Enter Their New Store - A Magnificent Interior Appointed with Rare Taste”April 27, 1992 - Herb Caen, San Francisco Chronicle “Monday Go-Round”December 3, 1992 - Gavin Power, San Francisco Chronicle “Shreve & Co. Changes Hands Again”

Jewelry designer Adrienne Wiley talks about her store Covet and how it has grown over the last 13 years in the Inner Richmond of San Francisco. Adrienne is a master at opening stores and growing her business by trusting her instincts and taking very well-calculated and creative risks. 

Today I chat with the effervescent and charming Kate Fulford, who founded Ooma "Objects of My Affection" in North Beach in the mid-aughts, to almost overnight success. A vibrant, unique boutique targeting all things fun, feminine, colorful, Ooma focused on pieces for going out on the town, elevating the style of women in-the-know in San Francisco. While Ooma is now closed, Kate's story of entrepreneurial learning and focus is something all of us can learn from. Kate now works in real estate in Portland, OR, both as a house flipper and as a realtor - leveraging her keen sense of style and self-startedness in both efforts. Find Kate online at Think Real Estate. 

Since 1973, Dottie Doolittle has been a mainstay of San Francisco parents who love dressing their children in Dottie Doolittle's signature aesthetic of "classics with flair". Maggie Chafen is the owner of this wonderful store and at 76, she has no plans to retire. Visit Dottie Doolittle at 3680 Sacramento Street at Spruce, or find the brand online at dottiedoolittle.com, and on Instagram @dottiedoolittle. 

This week I talk with Paul Julch of Urbanite Suburbanite. Paul is a personal wardrobe consultant who has leveraged his background in retail to develop a business that brings out the best in his clients, giving them confidence in their fit and style. As someone who works closely with retail, but isn't a retailer, Paul's insights into the retail business are direct and honest. He shares what he loves and hates about both online and brick-and-mortar shopping, with an eye to new developments and old-world service. 

A chat with former LIFE magazine photographer and San Francisco treasure, Fred Lyon. Fred is 96 years old, and began photographing San Francisco for LIFE magazine in the late 1940s, His romantic, foggy, atmospheric images of the city helped to draw national and international visitors to our little western outpost during the post-war years. Fred talks about the changes he's seen as well as his encounters with some of the 20th Century's greatest artists.Visit www.fredlyon.com to learn how you can purchase a print of Fred's work, or purchase one of his four photography monographs - he even has another one coming next year!