Noe Valley Voice May 2000
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Store Trek

By Stephanie Rapp

Store Trek is a regular feature of the Voice profiling new shops and businesses in the neighborhood. This month's Store Trek introduces two new clothing stores, each with its own distinctive style. One specializes in comfortable and practical athletic wear for women, including jogging suits and running shoes. The other offers a wild, eclectic assortment of new and vintage fashions. Go take a look.

Getups

4028B 24th Street between Noe
and Castro

643-8877

www.getupssf@aol.com

You know from the moment you enter Getups that you're not in a chain store. The shop has unique written all over it, from the burnt-orange floor to the leopard-print armchairs to the racy mixture of vintage, new, and used clothing.

Lounge music adds to the feeling of fun that owner Miles Barry is trying to infuse into the shopping experience. (The music is a real departure from the New Age sounds that emanated from the storefront in the '80s, when it was filled by the gift store Star Magic.)

Open since early April, Getups is Barry's first store, although he's been in the retail business all his life. He brings his experience as a hair stylist and window dresser to the shop. The current window display is an homage to Mary and Rhoda of 1970s TV fame.

The shop fits a need in the neighborhood, according to Barry, who says he loves "Noe Valley for its diversity -- gay, straight, families, singles."

Getups carries mostly vintage and used women's clothing, though 15 percent of the merchandise is new. "I carry urban funky and contemporary clothes," Barry says.

Most of the items in the store are priced at under $50, including the new merchandise. You can find hip summer dresses for well under $40. The most expensive item in April was a vintage faux fur coat for $150.

In addition to being the owner, Barry is also the buyer, stock boy, cashier, window dresser, and salesperson. He restocks the inventory every week, buying from sources he's cultivated over the years. "It's a labor of love," he says.

And the name? It comes from a Maya Angelou poem. When she was young and poor, Angelou would go to the thrift stores and put outfits together. In the South, this kind of piecing together of clothes and accessories is called creating a get-up. "I read that poem one night and I knew that was it," Barry says.

The store is dog- and stroller-friendly, with two dressing rooms and lots of floor space. To personalize the shopping, Barry plans to keep a book of customers' preferences, sizes, and other details.

Barry may expand the store's hours in the future, but for now Getups is open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

See Jane Run

3870 24th Street between Vicksburg and Sanchez

401-8338

www.seejanerunsports.com

Owner Lori Shannon created this all-women's athletic gear store with a vision in mind. As a runner, biker, and mara-thoner, Shannon recognizes the joy and personal strength that women can achieve through athletics.

"My goal is to empower women through sports or fitness. I would go to sporting goods stores and ask myself, Why do women only have three shoes to choose from and men have fifty?"

To level the playing field, Shannon opened See Jane Run in April in the recently vacated storefront next to Martha & Bros. Coffee on 24th Street. Although she lives in the Mission, Shannon loves Noe Valley and figured the neighborhood could use a boost in the fitness department.

Ultimately, See Jane Run will offer 30 different styles of footwear. Shannon now stocks quality brands such as Asics, Saucony, Adidas, Moving Comfort, and Perlazuma. Shoes range from $65 to $119, with the popular Saucony Grid Omni selling for $79.99.

Shannon also offers women's athletic clothes -- shorts, sweats, jackets, swimsuits (and goggles) -- in all shapes and sizes. She carries sizes up to extra-large, and will add plus sizes in the future. T-shirts start at around $25.

The shop's primary aim is to supply gear for runners, cyclers, and general fitness enthusiasts, but Shannon hopes to add soccer and outdoor fitness apparel and accessories soon.

More than a clothes and shoes outlet, See Jane Run will also act as a resource center. Shannon plans to start a See Jane Run running group and a tri-club (tri-athletic) for the area. "A lot of women are intimidated by sports. I want to get them active and help them make the right choices," she says.

Store manager Lisa Raphael, who brings 18 years of experience as a personal trainer to the job, will be on hand to help the sports neophyte. "If you want something that we don't carry, just ask us and we'll try to get it for you," she says.

Current hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Monday hours may be added later.