Where to shop local for holiday gifts
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The best on wax. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios
With the holidays fast approaching, it's crunch time for gift hunting.
The big picture: Forget faceless online retailers. San Francisco is home to some amazing small businesses that support your local community.
- Here are a few on our radar.
👔 Al's Attire (North Beach): From fine tailoring and custom designs to hats and handmade leather, Al's specializes in bespoke clothing and bringing handmade back to retail.
- 1300 Grant Ave.
🪅 Luz de Luna (Mission): Owner Denise Gonzales specializes in handmade crafts and vibrant Day of the Dead merchandise, paying tribute to Mexican art and culture.
- 3182 24th St.
🎶 Tunnel Records: This neighborhood vinyl spot — with locations in the Sunset and the Richmond — rewards in-person discovery with records, books and more.
- 3614 A Taraval St.
- 2200 Clement St. (inside the 4 Star Theater).
👗 Relic Vintage (Haight): Fashion fans love this treasure chest of genuine vintage dresses, suits, jewelry and accessories — no worn-out Y2K tees in sight!
- 1475 Haight St.
🧸 Tantrum (Richmond): This mom-and-pop toy shop looks like a page out of a classic children's book, with shelves adorned by Minikane dolls, wooden pinball games and bashful bunny snoozers.
- 248 Clement St.
👚 Nooworks (Mission): Neutrals are boring! Nooworks is a women-owned spot specializing in bright designs from local artists, and everything is made in California.
- 395 Valencia St.
- 236 Powell St. (temporary pop-up).
💿 Groove Merchant Records (Lower Haight): An ultra-friendly hub from music lover and owner Chris Veltri specializing in jazz and blues LPs. Perfect for vinyl fans who want to explore.
- 687 Haight St.
✂ Scrap (Bayview): If you're an artist or parent of busy kids, Scrap is for you. You'll find thousands of upcycled items for craft projects — the only limit is your imagination.
- 2150 Newcomb Ave.
🧵 Cliff's Variety (Castro): The store that sells (almost) everything — from nails and garden gear to wigs, decorations, fabrics and quirky gifts. If they don't have it, you don't need it.
- 479 Castro St.
💎 Modern Relics (Richmond): Customers call it a cabinet of curiosities filled with unique gems like peanut necklaces and handmade incense plate holders.
- 771 Cabrillo St.
🎁 Therapy Stores: With multiple locations throughout the Bay Area, this family-run business is a go-to spot for whimsical gifts, whether you're looking for silly socks or a collection of dad jokes.
- 545 Valencia St.
- 626 Cortland Ave.