After the beloved vintage consignment store Stuff closed its doors in January 2024, many customers were left saddened by its absence.
Known for its late hours, unique selection, and an unforgettable disco/new wave soundtrack, Stuff had brought a touch of quirky glamour to a once-neglected part of Valencia.
However, a silver lining has emerged with the announcement of a new offshoot, Stuff by Luxe, founded by one of the store’s former vendors.
The soft opening of Stuff by Luxe is scheduled for September 5, with a grand opening set for October 4.
The new store will occupy a vast 20,000-square-foot warehouse located at 1830 Harrison St. near 14th Street, just four blocks from the now-closed Valencia site.
Co-owner Ha Kwan is enthusiastic about the new location’s convenience for former Stuff customers.
“It’s really convenient for our customers who used to shop at Valencia to be able to come here,” Kwan exclaimed on Wednesday, while assisting vendors in unloading their merchandise.
Behind her, her son was busy vacuuming a windowsill, contributing to the store’s preparation.
The grand opening, scheduled for the first Saturday in October, promises to be a lively affair, complete with a street fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This monthly event will feature food trucks from Off the Grid and curated booths showcasing arts and crafts from West Coast Craft.
Kwan led a tour through the still-filling space, demonstrating the careful curation that she hopes will distinguish Stuff by Luxe from typical antique malls.
During the tour, she emphasized her intention for the store to serve as a bright and open showroom rather than a dark, cluttered space.
The brightly lit shop boasts hardwood floors, wood beams, and eye-catching artwork ranging from oil paintings to modern art posters adorning its walls.
Scattered throughout are various pieces of furniture and home decor, including teak cabinets and a post-modern iron bedframe, alongside smaller items like a wooden miniature giraffe.
On the other side of the warehouse, a modern industrial aesthetic prevails with concrete flooring and steel beams.
This area also features a mezzanine overlooking the ground floor, designed for events that Kwan hopes to host.
Kwan, who has a background in tech and a passion for mid-century furniture, started her journey as a vendor at the original Stuff store in 2021, operating under the brand name Luxe.
The closure of the original Stuff was a disappointment for Kwan and her fellow vendors, as owners James Spinello and Will Lenker were forced to shut down after unsuccessful lease negotiations.
Though the Valencia location remains vacant, Spinello and Lenker chose not to launch another store.
Instead, they encouraged former vendors and employees to utilize the Stuff name and branding if they wished to embark on their own ventures.
Seizing this opportunity, Kwan and her husband Fred combined the name Luxe with the Stuff logo, resulting in the creation of Stuff by Luxe.
Another former vendor, Angelina Carling, has also opened a related store called Stuff Vintage Modern, or Stuff East Bay, located in Albany.
Just two months following the original Stuff’s closure, the Kwans launched their first store, Stuff by Luxe, in Russian Hill at 1545 Pacific Ave.
This location, however, is significantly smaller, measuring just 5,300 square feet—less than a third of the space occupied by the former Stuff store on Valencia.
Despite the size limitations, the Russian Hill store operates daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. while Kwan concentrates on setting up the larger Mission location.
The transition to entrepreneurship was daunting, particularly as Kwan left her stable human resources job in the tech sector to dedicate herself fully to the new venture.
She credits guidance from Spinello and Lenker, who turned their disappointment into a positive retirement in Oahu, providing occasional advice over phone calls during her journey.
“It was a major change,” Kwan recounted. “But I love to be able to help support all of these vendors and make them successful.”
As the soft opening approaches, Kwan has been diligently present at the store to assist vendors in offloading their goods.
Looking ahead, she plans to mentor new sellers, sharing insights on how to effectively price their items.
Additionally, Kwan envisions a space for furniture-makers and artists to sell their creations as part of the store’s mission.
Kwan remarked on her pride in carrying on the Stuff name, saying, “I got to carry on the Stuff name and keep it alive and keep it thriving.”
The excitement is palpable as the community eagerly anticipates the return of vintage shopping in the Mission District.
image source from：missionlocal
