Just three weeks into the opening of her new store Ellie Bauman & Company, shop owner Ellie Bauman is waxing ecstatic about the area. “I love it here,” she says. And who wouldn’t with a view of Levi’s Plaza and the remarkable architecture of the plaza. Not to mention, of course, the drop-ins from Barbary Coasters.

One day recently as I was driving down Jackson Street toward home in the Barbary Coast, out of the corner of my eye I spotted an unlikely sign: La Boutique. What was a boutique shop doing here among the antique dealers, I wondered?

You probably saw her at her desk along the front window at McGuire Real Estate, smiling, waving a hand. Or perhaps you met her when you needed a document notarized.

Judy Karam is a realtor with McGuire, and although the company recently moved its office from The Commons to South of Market, Karam relocated to their Marina Office. But she still calls the Barbary Coast her second home and is often seen having coffee at The Roastery—“This area has great energy, and I love it here” she says. “I miss looking out on the park.” Karam represents our area for McGuire and counts many people from The Commons, 733 Front and The Gateway as her friends.

September being “Architecture Month” in San Francisco, what better time to discover William Stout Architectural Books, almost hidden at 804 Montgomery Street, between Jackson and Pacific (across the street from Carrots, for you fashionistas out there.)

Every morning, except Friday and Sunday, a group of devoted participants enjoy an aerobics class at the Gateway Swim and Tennis Club pool. They include men and women, who before they start their busy day, feel a need to stretch muscles and iron out kinks brought on by the stresses of daily life, and they do it in the comfort of a spectacular outdoor pool kept at a temperature of around 90 degrees.

In this period in time when closings are happening with frightening frequency, it is encouraging to announce an opening. And that was the case with Gallery 28, which hosted an opening reception for a group exhibit on July 8.



Ethel Jimenez, long a recognized gifted photographer, decided that her Insurance Broker business was in the doldrums and a gallery was where she felt comfortable, inspired, and uplifted, so she might as well get to it and open her own. Like Captain Picard, she said “Make it so” and voila we have Gallery 28.

Who can resist this enticing offer from Boccalone, the new salumi vendor in the Ferry Building? By the way, that’s not a typo; I meant sal-U-mi, not sal-A-mi, although salami is a variety of salumi. Got it?

We all have our reasons for choosing destinations, whether for an afternoon’s outing, a day trip, or a vacation. Mine are usually food-related. That’s why, on a San Francisco “10” day weather-wise, a friend and I decided to visit Noe Valley. I was on a mission: my taste buds were still glowing from their contact with a Boston Cream Pie Cupcake from the Noe Valley Bakery.
I put that in caps to emphasize just how extraordinary this confection is: a yellow cake base, filled with pastry cream, and topped with a swirl of chocolate fudge. Only a gifted baker would ask so much of the humble cupcake, and I had to see what else he has to offer.

Going on four years of living in this fair city and I continue to look at it with a tourist’s eye. I hope I always will. I delight in things that long-time locals no longer notice. I take nothing for granted. Every time I leave home, just varying the path to a frequent destination often results in a discovery. It could be something that’s been in place for decades, but new to me. Or something new to everyone.

Magicians Walt Anthony, Brian Scott and David Miller

With an out-of-town visitor in hand—someone who’s seen most everything there is to see in San Francisco—my guest and I wandered out one recent Friday evening to see something completely different—a night of magic and storytelling at the Chancellor Hotel.

There’s much good to say about our local Safeway market at Davis and Jackson streets: It’s close by. Its hours are convenient. The staff is helpful. They must cater to a community of family feeders, young professionals, and affluent retirees. The needs of all have to be considered—not easy for a store this size.

Two local businesses—the Imperial Tea Court in the Ferry Building and Hornblower Yachts—offer unusual ideas for your special someone on Valentine's Day.

The World's Most Romantic Teas
from Imperial Tea Court
Consider a different way to give flowers. World-renowned Teamaster Roy Fong of Imperial Tea Court has hand-selected several floral teas for Valentine's Day, including teas blended with rose petals and "Blossoming Tea"—hand-tied flower teas that unfurl upon brewing to reveal a spectacular miniature bouquet in the cup.

“Welcome” is, indeed, the key to the success of Book Passage, our flourishing neighborhood bookstore. New to San Francisco three years ago, I made this magnetic hub of the landmark Ferry Building my home away from home. It’s where I went not only to browse and buy, but also to meet people who, like me, love books. On any given day, I might chat with a visitor from Australia, a commuter from Sausalito, or a local also filling an hour of free time in the best possible way, and with one of the best views in The City.

Tucked into one of the buildings at the northern end of the Barbary Coast is a unique company: Wagstaff Worldwide. Housed in the historic 1620 Montgomery Street building, Wagstaff is one of the many companies that give this area of the Barbary Coast its nickname—“Media Gulch.”

I mean, a good HANDYMAN is hard to find. However, you can easily reach one by calling 415.335.2047. Answering on the other end of the line, day or night, 24/7, will be Karl Faulkner, advertising himself as an ‘emergency anytime’ handyman. “I have personally used Handyman Karl several times and can wholeheartedly recommend him,” says Maria Matson, Golden Gateway III condo owner.

In 2012 they’ll be the new guys on the block. That’s the estimated opening date for the latest venture of the CCDC (Chinatown Community Development Center)—the Broadway & Sansome Family Housing units.

I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I found this place. By accident I stumbled upon Carrots on a jaunt with my dogs. Walking west on Pacific Avenue, then turning left at Montgomery at the confluence of the Financial District and Jackson Square Historic District I entered into a place reminiscent of beloved-but-long-gone I. Magnin—right here only steps away

In one of the hottest neighborhoods in San Francisco, at 2484 Sacramento (at Fillmore), you come upon Toujours (www.toujourslingerie.com)—a tiny shop offering a selection of fine lingerie designed to make women more attractive and sexy.

Beverly Weinkauf says lingerie has always reflected the lifestyle and female fashions of the day. She selects styles based on how well they’re designed and how well they fit. She’s been in business at the same location for 20 years and has seen a number of changes in women’s lingerie over the years.

The UPS Store that sits at the northeast corner of Walton Square is like a dependable family member. They take our mail, hold our packages, and are a handy supplier of whatever we seem to need when minutes count. In short, they’re not only helpful, but they’re our direct lifeline to the rest of the world.

Walking a couple of blocks from east to west along the shaded, tree-lined Commercial Street you arrive at Victor Tung’s wearable art shop called Victor EastWest. We’d heard that he’d moved into our area from his shop on Monterey Boulevard.

People are talking about his unusual, one-of-a-kind clothing designs and hand-dyed fabrics so we had to see for ourselves.

With no warning that we were coming to snoop, he greeted us warmly at the door (I’m guessing he does this with everyone) and began to show us the varieties of colors, patterns and designs. From wedding

We hear things. Tempting things. Things about shops here in The City filled with intriguing stuff. Or we hear about services we didn’t know about. So we’re starting a new department here on Barbary Coast News—The Secret Shoppers. When you let us know about a store or a business that people might not know about, we’ll investigate, incognito, to get the skinny on what they do.

Veraya Imports
WRAPPED IN COLOR

We walked up along Broadway to Grant Street in North Beach heading to a shop we’d heard

Cow Hollow boasts Union Street shopping; Pacific Heights claims its high-toned homes; North Beach prides itself on its Italian heritage. And our nearest neighbor, Telegraph Hill, features views and parrots. But where in The City can you find one neighborhood with as much elegant living, fine restaurants, beautiful parks— and entertainment—as here in the Barbary Coast?

To the soft, insistent background of a bossa nova tune on her CD player, Dr. Bleemer agreed to talk with me about her work life here in the Barbary Coast. Being a member of the healthcare community, hers is one of only three chiropractic practices within our 10,000-person boundary.

New Barbary Coast Home for Constellation Wines U.S.
A JUG OF WINE, A LOAF OF BREAD AND 107 NEW EMPLOYEES

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