Store of the Day: General Store

I first discovered General Store through my sister Saree. She was wearing the most gorgeous vintage dress that she had found at the San Francisco location, prompting me to immediately check out its Venice counterpart. A carefully curated assortment of new and vintage items including furniture, clothing, tools, plants, household items, books and jewelry, it has become one of my favorite stores in the neighborhood.

General Store’s first location, founded by Serena Mitnik-Miller and Mason St. Peter, opened in San Francisco in 2010. In 2012, Hannah Henderson and John Moore partnered with the duo to open a second, equally wonderful destination for all things amazing. I especially love their vintage selection for kids and adults – Ripley has the most forever pair of vintage OshKosh overalls, and I found them there.

Hannah was kind enough to invite us inside and share some of what makes General Store so special – I hope you enjoy. And stay tuned later this week as Hannah welcomes us into her gorgeous, laid-back Venice retreat. XXJKE

R+T: Tell us a bit about how you came to know San Francisco’s beloved General Store…and how you partnered with its founders to open a second location in Venice?

Serena was working on a project with John – we met through him and instantly clicked. We have a lot in common and a great mutual respect. I think it was fortuitous timing. I was looking for a new project and it was a perfect time for General Store to grow. We took our time getting to know each other and when we found the right space, we hit the ground running.

R+T: General Store has become a favorite destination for all things amazing. What do you think it is that makes it so special?

Thank you! We really love the store and I think you can feel that. We work with so many talented craftspeople, and our customers have come to love them the same way we do. It’s a place to come and get inspired, even for us.

R+T: What types of items are you drawn to for the store?

We generally like to fill the store with the things that we love and use in our own lives; whether it’s books, ceramics, housewares, or clothes. There’s no science to it, really. We’re constantly looking for new things, are always conscious of where and how things are made, and love to focus on California as a source of inspiration.

R+T: What are your five must haves from your store?

Lauren Manoogian Capote coat (on the way for fall), Heather Levine ceramic wall hangings, Hannah Höch Album, vintage Levi’s, Thin Circle rings.

R+T: Any good lessons learned along the way? Unexpected challenges?

It’s been really interesting marrying a creative job with an eye for business. I never thought I would do both, but it’s really challenging in a great way – how do you have a successful business while expressing yourself creatively? We are learning more about the answer every day.

R+T: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I love that I have a creative outlet, so close to home. And at the end of the day I feel good about what we’re putting out into the world.