Posted by Lisa Anderson Shaffer
Banana Republic and SFMade, a non-profit that supports sustainable economy and local manufacturing, have teamed up for the second time to showcase art and crafts made in San Francisco. The pop-up shop, open until Memorial Day at Banana Republic’s Grant Avenue Flagship Store, features San Francisco crafts made by local small businesses.
SFMade Pop-up Shop at Banana Republic San Francisco
I stopped by to photograph San Francisco crafts at the shop and spoke with second-time participant Alana Rivera of Etta + Billie bath and body products to find out what the impact of being featured at a major retail store has had on her business.
Alana Rivera of Etta + Billie Natural Body Care Products
After a lifetime of obsession with bath and body care products, Alana started Etta + Billie in 2008. Named after her two grandmothers, Etta +Billie features artisan and sustainable bath and body products, made in San Francisco from organic and fair trade oils, botanicals and natural essential oils. Etta + Billie is the first personal care manufacturer to receive Green Business Certification from the city of San Francisco.
Etta + Billie Soaps and Lip Balms
Alana is impressed with the dedication Banana Republic has shown to the manufacturers, through deep interest in the products made in San Francisco. The store has displayed each company's work in a way that honors each brand’s mission. Alana has learned a tremendous amount about merchandising from the Banana Republic team.
After such widespread exposure, Alana has acquired lots of data regarding sales and product lines. Etta + Billie has seen a noticeable increase in wholesale orders from local San Francisco shop owners, and national sales from being featured on the Banana Republic website.
Etta + Billie Soaps and Solid Body Scrubs
Also among the San Francisco crafts featured is first-time participant Lila B. Design, specializing in floral and garden designs for weddings, interiors, and studio photography since 2007. A Certified Green San Francisco Business, Lila B. Design creates organic statements, all made in San Francisco in a sustainable way. Many flowers and succulents used in their floral and plant arrangements are grown in their own parking lot garden!
Lila B. Design Team and succulent arrangements
I met Baylor Chapman of Lila B. Designs while she and her team were restocking their terrariums that are made in San Francisco. She shared that the exposure has been tremendous and business has grown in wonderful, unexpected ways. Lila B. Designs has seen an increase in sales, specifically from office buildings and stores interested in some of their larger terrarium designs.
Lila B Design display
Stationery legends Hello!Lucky feature a selection of San Francisco-themed notecards. Sisters and co- founders Eunice and Sabrina Moyle started Hello!Lucky in 2003 from Eunice’s garage with a vintage Vandercook press. They specialize in wedding invitations, greeting cards, and personalized stationery, all made in San Francisco.
Hello!Lucky Cards
Floral designer Madeline Trait brings the wonderful smell of fresh flowers to Banana Republic. Specializing in event design, floral arrangements, and installations using California blooms, Madeline’s arrangements are seasonal and sustainable.
Madeline Trait bespoke floral arrangments
{cocoa} , artisan chocolate company specializes in handcrafted chocolate concoctions. Founder Jewel Zimmer seeks out sustainable and fair trade cocoa beans, considering everything about the growing process including neighboring plants, harvest practices, and responsible manufacturing.
Cocoa chocolates
Heliotrope is a custom body product expert whose products are made in San Francisco. Founder Jonathan Plotzker has created a line of natural, fragrance-free products to heal, soothe and moisturize. Heliotrope experts work with customers to create personalized skin care products at Heliotrope’s store in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.
Heliotrope Natural Skincare
Hillside Bags, made with a signature oilcloth lining, was founded in 2005 by Hilary Wehiltz. Her high school sewing hobby has turned into a thriving San Francisco crafts business with over 25 retail locations nationwide.
Hillside Bags
Poco Dolce’s savory sweet chocolate tiles are a favorite among San Franciscans. Started by Kathy Wiley in 2003, Poco Dolce was born from an Italian pastry business after Kathy sprinkled grey sea salt on a piece of bittersweet chocolate.
Poco Dolce chocolate tiles
Joel Benson founded Dependable Letterpress from his Mission neighborhood basement in 2002. Now working from a Dogpatch neighborhood studio, Dependable Letterpress offers a spectrum of letterpress printing services for business and personal needs.
Dependable Letterpress notepads
Blueblood, founded by Alexis Mechler and Tina Pao, creates luxury lifestyle goods for pets and their owners. Blueblood totes, leashes, pet beds, and collars are fashionable and charitable. Blueblood donates to charities like the San Francisco SPCA.
Blueblood pet accessories
Stop by the Banana Republic Flagship store, 256 Grant Avenue San Francisco, to see these San Francisco crafts. Not in San Francisco? Visit the links within this post to check out the sellers.
