UNION STREET SCOOP
Eventful Union
The fall season is upon us. Kids are back in school, fall fashion has been launched, somewhere the leaves are changing color, and here on Union Street, life feels active. With so many new restaurants and stores on the block and more in the pipeline, Union Street is far livelier than it was this time last year. Oh, and did I mention the football season has begun? Whether we like it or not, or whether we have any opinion about the number of bars on the street, the truth is the number of flat screens seems to relate to the number of people in our neighborhood during the season. The new places – Roam Artisan Burgers, Marengo and Unwind all have them, but it is not their focus. They are not sports bars. They are all about the food and accommodating a lifestyle of casual fun that might include watching the finals in soccer or collectively watching the 49ers lose. And they are most definitely a key element to the vibrancy of the street. As for the food … each one of the new restaurants is good, and each one has something I crave during any given week (if not day). My latest gotta have? The chicken noodle soup at Unwind, an in-house secret, best-ever recipe that is at once delicious, comforting, and I’m sure a remedy for just about anything.
As for new retail on street, check out Veo Optics, the new fresh, friendly and impressive optical store at 1799 Union. It’s James Peo’s second location (the other is at 2101 Market at Church) and the first in his old stomping grounds of the Marina. If first impressions hold true, the great impression he made on me will keep me going back time and time again. Not just a place that happens to have a superb choice of great brands such as Chrome Hearts, Philippe Stark, Oliver Peoples, and l.a. Eyeworks – the customer service is fantastic too. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable and completely respectful of your taste, time and budget. The store itself is bathed in natural light and accessible in that the glasses aren’t under heavy lock and key. In the first minute I was there, James had slyly managed to adjust and clean the Paul Smith glasses I was wearing while telling me about his “sight done right” theory. He was kind and open with a great sense of humor and style that will clearly make Veo a terrific destination point.
Two more new-to-Union shops are boutique Chloe Rose at 1828 Union and San Francisco Surf Company at 2181 Union where it will be everything surf, including apparel, books, boards, and daily reports of local and other surf conditions. Interesting, right?
Also interesting is the brand-new event on Union that launches on Oct. 13 from 4–8 p.m. It is the 1st Union Street Wine Walk, an event hosted by several Union Street restaurants and wine merchants who have joined to set up a tasty tasting program on Union (from Gough to Steiner) and Fillmore (from Union to Lombard). Experience a variety of wines, hors d’oeuvres and samplings while strolling up and down the street. Though the event itself is free, those who wish to participate in all of the tastings can purchase a wine glass along with a map of all the participants for $30. This can be purchased on-site the day of the event at the Metro Theater or ahead of time at www.sresproductions.com.
Last but certainly not least in Union’s event world is Trick or Treat on Union Street on Halloween day. Halloween ranks as one of the best holidays of the year here, primarily because it is truly a community event, a wonderfully safe and fun haven for families to spend the day. Orange and black balloons line the entire street where from noon to 6 p.m. costumed parents and kids can stroll in and out of stores collecting candy from merchants who are also in costume. Honestly, it is one of the cutest days ever … especially among the under-two-foot-tall crowd. Babies dressed as puppies or pumpkins, loads of little princesses, pirates and cowboys, and even dogs in full get-ups are just part of what make this day so charming. I love to see the creativity of some of the parents who still make their own costumes, or of the kids that are experiencing the day for the first time. The spirit of the day for everyone is superb and just part of the reason I love being a merchant on Union Street.
As for new retail on street, check out Veo Optics, the new fresh, friendly and impressive optical store at 1799 Union. It’s James Peo’s second location (the other is at 2101 Market at Church) and the first in his old stomping grounds of the Marina. If first impressions hold true, the great impression he made on me will keep me going back time and time again. Not just a place that happens to have a superb choice of great brands such as Chrome Hearts, Philippe Stark, Oliver Peoples, and l.a. Eyeworks – the customer service is fantastic too. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable and completely respectful of your taste, time and budget. The store itself is bathed in natural light and accessible in that the glasses aren’t under heavy lock and key. In the first minute I was there, James had slyly managed to adjust and clean the Paul Smith glasses I was wearing while telling me about his “sight done right” theory. He was kind and open with a great sense of humor and style that will clearly make Veo a terrific destination point.
Two more new-to-Union shops are boutique Chloe Rose at 1828 Union and San Francisco Surf Company at 2181 Union where it will be everything surf, including apparel, books, boards, and daily reports of local and other surf conditions. Interesting, right?
Also interesting is the brand-new event on Union that launches on Oct. 13 from 4–8 p.m. It is the 1st Union Street Wine Walk, an event hosted by several Union Street restaurants and wine merchants who have joined to set up a tasty tasting program on Union (from Gough to Steiner) and Fillmore (from Union to Lombard). Experience a variety of wines, hors d’oeuvres and samplings while strolling up and down the street. Though the event itself is free, those who wish to participate in all of the tastings can purchase a wine glass along with a map of all the participants for $30. This can be purchased on-site the day of the event at the Metro Theater or ahead of time at www.sresproductions.com.
Last but certainly not least in Union’s event world is Trick or Treat on Union Street on Halloween day. Halloween ranks as one of the best holidays of the year here, primarily because it is truly a community event, a wonderfully safe and fun haven for families to spend the day. Orange and black balloons line the entire street where from noon to 6 p.m. costumed parents and kids can stroll in and out of stores collecting candy from merchants who are also in costume. Honestly, it is one of the cutest days ever … especially among the under-two-foot-tall crowd. Babies dressed as puppies or pumpkins, loads of little princesses, pirates and cowboys, and even dogs in full get-ups are just part of what make this day so charming. I love to see the creativity of some of the parents who still make their own costumes, or of the kids that are experiencing the day for the first time. The spirit of the day for everyone is superb and just part of the reason I love being a merchant on Union Street.
Leslie Drapkin is a co-owner of Jest Jewels.
E-mail: [email protected]
