California Made Mercantile

Blakely and the employees at RAG have done the familiar boutique thing in their own way, with an interesting business model and a fantastic array of clothing, art and baubles that feels well thought out in it’s selection. I always pop by RAG when I’m in SF, where until five years ago I lived for some time — and they always have two things to look forward to:
1. An excellent selection of great little odds and ends, perhaps more geared to women with their proclivity to accessorize. Not being a woman, I can still find things I really like and from an overall perspective, the kinds of little thingies they carry are super intriguing, adorable and well-​made, while in a lot of cases — being genuinely unique.
2. The kick ASS art they carry. I run a white-​box gallery in North Carolina and every single time I’ve been in I’ve had my mind blown by some small $ 40 – 250 piece of art from a local artist. I popped in two weeks ago while I was in town and didn’t see a single piece on the walls that I didn’t want to buy for myself and give pride of place on my non-​existent mantle back east… I really need a mantle…
Oh and Blakely and the staff are very friendly and laid back. That laid back part might bother those who are in a rush or don’t care to chat a bit about the products but for me, it’s nice to walk into a boutique in a city where there is so much stress and rushing and be reminded that people are a lot of fun to talk to.

like many on here — I’ve been going to Rag for years. I“ve noticed that over time the creative local sources arts has become more dominated with screen prints and sf memorabilia. Rarely do I want to buy anything and I do go by as often.
I went in today — they had commercial radio on. It was impossible to look at things while some obnoxious radio station blasted commercials. I was having flashbacks to being trapped in a car. Artists that sell there you should demand that the store do a better job on this — its really basic. .. sorry to rant on this but I take it as a sign of not investing in making the space a good environment.. .

I have been going to RAG since it opened over 10 years ago. For years I have recommended the store to friends, and have frequented it on a regular basis. I never hesitate to find an interesting article of clothing that is truly unique, affordable and well fitting.
Why the 2 star rating then you may wonder?
Well, when I went today I was really struck by how the shop has changed (though yes, I did find a really cute, albeit expensive, shirt that I am very pleased with). It has now expanded into additional space, but rather than have MORE clothing it had far less — except for trendy tshirts that are oh so hip-​ly sporting graphic designs that say «Mission» and have roosters and cats and the state of California. The jewelry is gaudy, trendy and cliched, and doesn’t appear to be of the high quality it used to be (not just in materials used but in actual artistic design). Clothing seems to be geared toward tourists and people shopping for their friend’s baby, or people who aren’t creative enough to take a fashion risk, but really want to look like everyone else just in a «groovy» faddy kind of way.
Super disappointing.
Perhaps the business model is no longer sustainable, but I would be hard pressed to recommend the store so highly to others unless something changes. Because, of course, yes I will still go there from time to time in hopes of stumbling across something wonderful.

I want to all Unilocal member that this locations collection is really great and also they have very good exclusive collection. And also service also good.
I have 1 complain that is what?
The complain is their parking location is not good as I expected. There is many problem I face. I would not highly recommended to go there with your big car. Just go take a taxi.

I love this store for locally-​made, SF-​themed gifts and clothes. It’s worth the trip up to Hayes Valley for the t-​shirts alone. Definitely check it out.

if you have an out-​of-​towner visiting, you should bring them to this place. they have a lot of sf-​inspired pieces of art made by local artists. you can get unique sf souvenirs and support the artists in the area.
they have print works, key chains, wallets, necklaces made from interesting materials that you never thought you could use to make things. also, they have one section for just clothes, which include cool sf graphic tees and some ironic hoodies. they also carry jackets from popular outerwear.

I love this little store I got 3 t-​shirts here. They have a great selection of apparel here. They also have a great selection of jewelry. Great local artists as well as other California artists. We also got a really cool belt buckle made by a local artist here as well. The staff was really nice and super accommodating.

What a GREAT little store! I can’t believe I’ve lived in Hayes for so long and haven’t stopped in here yet!
A few of the fantastic things they have:
* Tons of ‘I love California’ artwork
* A California-​shaped chalkboard
* SF-​specific T-​Shirts and Canvass bags
* SF neighborhood postcards and artwork. My favorite are the framed paper cutouts of the streets of SF. Really cool.
* Rings with propellers!
* Rings with compasses!
* Necklaces with hourglasses and propellers!
This place is worth checking out. Their merchandise apparently changes frequently, so if you’ve already been in here, check it out again!

disclaimer: once upon a time, I had my jewelry on consignment, but pulled out because of lack of sales, as the store wasn’t quite the right fit for my work.
and now the fun part: this is a great, little shop. Blakely was great to work with and you can see her talent and industry in the wonderful collection of work she carries in her store. great place to find a unique gift for someone, or yourself. there’s a great vibe in this place and it is a great venue for shopping local!

Yay, Blakely! How do you find so much amazing local talent? You fit so much great stuff — clothes, accessories, décor — into your shop! And you are always there to share a story about the artist who created this piece or that one. I’ll definitely be doing my holiday shopping here with you, supporting other local artisans.

Really cool place that features a ton of local artists. Love all the San Francisco themed stuff [but in a non-​touristy way!] There’s canvas paintings of street maps of different SF neighborhoods, wooden screen-​printed images with a bottle opener attached, and other fun décor among a selection of clothing and trinkets.
They don’t appear to mark up the prices any from that of the original artists, so it’s just a great place to get stuff that you might otherwise have to buy online and pay s&h for.

I went in recently and saw RAG has expanded. It is about twice the size it was previously and there is now a room for all of the local women’s clothing and now even a locally-​made home décor section and 2 mid-​century modern chairs with prints of vintage SF maps– so cool! The front room has more jewelry cases and more racks for men’s and babies! Score! I found a great jacket for my boyfriend by Icon National SF men’s line. I will definitely be back to see what new local designers they have monthly.

Beautiful clothes and jewelry, handmade by local artists at a family-​run business? How can you beat that? I would go really far out of my way to shop here.

Now RAG is my kind of store. I appreciated the wide array of clothing, accessories and décor at a variety of price points. I tried on a maroon, cotton dress with a heart and lungs screened on front, but alas – I don’t have the figure of Sally the rag doll. I also drooled over a rack in the back with vests and jackets comprising stitched-​together pieces of fabric, creating a recycled look.
I ended up getting a piece of artwork for my mother: a piece of log with a bird burned into the front. Along the bottom is a bug.
Thank you, RAG, for making cool, local pieces accessible and affordable to everyone.

I am a huge fan of this store. Great unique selection, and love supporting SF designers. It has been my go-​to spot for gifts or for myself.
However, and i’m just trying to help here… Something must be done about the cash register situation. Everytime I have purchased something here the transaction has taken anywhere from 20 – 40 mins! I’m not sure why the system is so complicated, but the whole experience would rule if you could get in and out a little faster :) I don’t want to be scared to come in if i’m slightly pressed for time. Hope this helps!

Great way to showcase local artist’s work. And since they are artists, their work is unique. I purchased a great black sweater and as it turned out the woman who sold it to me was the designer as well.
Many of the artists have bios attached. I thought it was a great way to learn more about them.

First, I’m all about supporting artists. It’s difficult to be creative, then sell the those brilliant creations that came from your motherluvin’ soul. Yet, it’s hard to understand this if you’re not an artist yourself. This is the beauty of a store like RAG. It takes the brilliance of many and stuffs it into this quaint, darling shop in the Hayes for all to see.
I bought the best jacket at RAG from a local designer and it’s an amazing shop all the way around. From really sophisticated clothing to green wear to baby clothes to some unique Bay Area, San Franciscan inspired art, you will find something extraordinary here, most definitely. The gallery owner is an amazingly wonderful woman who loves the artists she showcases. She believes in their work, wears the designs and pushes the DIY and green living but doesn’t do the hard sell. The place and all its beautiful goods sell themselves. Please support local art. It’s definitely good for your health!

RAG makes it easy to be a good friend.
lemme just get this out of the way: i hate shopping. everything i end up buying reminds me of a temporary kind of love. i totally know that i’m not gonna like said item forever. i understand that everything is obsolete and therefore loathe that small voice in my head chanting: «if you can buy it it, you know it’s really not worth it». shopping equals self-​sabotage.
RAG is located in one of my all-​time favorite neighborhoods in sf. it’s one of the only places i don’t feel like a total bad-​consumer schizo. this place speaks to my soul. i shop here pretty frequently for unique and pretty gifts. since i’m not typically a gift card giver, i find it hard to shop for a gift that is truly meaningful. i appreciate how i can walk around this small store and find something that ties into a certain private joke, memory, or conversation i had with someone– it’s like they’re data mining all up in my phone calls and know exactly when i’m coming so i end up buying my speed dial numbers 1 – 6 a lil somn somn.
i particularly love the jewelry and scarves, and many pieces are really affordable– perfect for a ‘just thinkin boutchoo’ gift. whimsical brooches, accessories made of recycled material, cute baby onesies, pretty bags and casual/​formal apparel. plus, you get to support your local artists/​designers and be close to the other awesome shops nearby. definitely check it out!

Hey obnoxious b*tches — I regret buying anything from you because you were so ridiculously incompetent. Did you think it was somehow funny that you were incapable of working a cash register, and that instead of helping your only two customers or apologizing for your ridiculous incompetence, you giggled together the whole time we were in the store?
I wish your manager or any of the incredible local designers your store represents could have seen how you acted. It’s a real shame, because the store concept is awesome. Too bad you sucked so hard.

I could spend hours in this store even though it’s not very big. I like that the designers are local and if I buy and wear something from here, I won’t see my twinsies all over the place. The jewelry and belt selections were particularly good this past weekend and there were some nice things on sale.
There are couple of things I will be stopping back in for the next weekend I am in town.