Babette Schwartz
Category: Cards & Stationery [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hillcrest421 University Ave
(between 4th Ave & 5th Ave)
San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 220-7048
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Thu 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
25 Reviews for Babette Schwartz
Very cool little store with some unusual gifts and t-shirts.
Located in a nice little area, you can get all sorts of useless stuff here - great for one of a kind gifts that will make them gush with delight or embarrassment. I picked up a nice t-shirt here to add to my extensive collection of ironic/ stupid/ techno/ funny tees. My friends just browsed and it was hard to get them to move on.
Every neighborhood needs a few like these and less Gap stores.
Everything you don't need and buy anyway. you could get lost in here and good for an after date stroll to find what makes them blush. If they do DUMP them.
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I rarely walk out of here empty handed and on the rare occasion that I do I regret it later.
For instance, even in the madness that is San Francisco there are some outfits you see that are just plain unacceptable. Now, you all KNOW that if an outfit is unacceptable in this city, where we host a marathon in which running around with your penis flopping in the wind IS acceptable, that the outfit is pretty awful.
Babette Schwartz sells fashion citations that are perfect for these situations. I regret not buying them.
I also sort of regret not buying the glow in the dark zombie set. Someone I know surely would have liked it. I am pissed that I didn't pick up some raw steak band aids, which were so much cuter than the bacon ones I found recently. We all know everyone needs a skull and crossbones metal lunch box with a boob shaped thermos to put inside. White trash cookbooks? They have a full section of them for all of your culinary needs, as well as books about bunny suicide and sexual positions you should never try for fear of injury.
Yes, it is all here, you just have to choose carefully, otherwise you might end up with way too much useless crap or, on the flip side, find yourself empty handed when you need to tell someone, in a very clear way, that white socks do NOT EVER belong with black pants and shoes.
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My bacon-shaped bandaids are awesome....and so is my commie mustache.
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Let's not emphasize the "last minute" aspect here folks. Babette Schwartz, as cute and funny and gay as it is, will only accomodate procrastinators as far as their Hillcrest badditude allows.
Case in point: I was scrambling to get to a birthday dinner. Cardless and giftless, I decided to make a quick stop at Babette's. With still plenty of time one my hands, I circled the block once for parking. Twice for parking. Thrice for parking. Gas is running low. I realize I left my ATM card at home. My clock seems to be running on 50-second minutes. Stress is starting to tie a knot in my esophagus. After a quick gas stop, I renounce street parking and illegally park at Washington Mutual. I get to Babette's at 8:20 pm. Oh good! It closes at 8:30 and there's someone inside vacuuming!!
With my big dorky smile of victory, I wave to the vacuumer through the glass door.
Vacuumer ignores me.
I smile again, knock and the glass door, and point at the hours of operation sign.
Now, I am no lip reader, but I'm pretty sure he mouthed "closed" Not "hoes," not "Moses," but closed, as in "It might as well be 8:31, biatch."
Boo on customer service and for lying about their hours. I'd still come back though.
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Last minute gift heaven! (They even wrap for you!) I concur with previous reviews that talk about how neat and organized this place is. Great selection of greeting cards, retro/gag gifts, funny/provocative t-shirts, and desktop accoutrements.
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Running out at the last minute to get a card?
Stop by Babette Schwartz! They WILL have what you're looking for!
Well, at least if your friend you're shopping for is FABULOUS!
Great selection, good prices, fun stuff :)
Two words: Adult Mad-Libs. Well, maybe that's three, but you get the idea. The wife-to-be (1/5/08) even equipped herself with a "Future Trophy Wife" shirt. Wow, wondering if she should have told me, say, several months ago? Anyway, we stop by every time we walk past this place and giggle until we get home. Maybe we should have registered here instead of Macy's.
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A really fun gift shop. They have a variety of quirky toys, funny cards, mexican folk art, ironic tee shirts... you get the idea.
I've always loved this store. I've been shopping here since they opened.
Nothing like combining gag gifts with a drag sense of humor!
Minus one star though for some bitchy queen yelling at me for taking a picture of a shirt. Yes, I shouldn't do that...but the end result is I BOUGHT IT. I was sending the pic to my friend to see if he wanted it...and he did. Next time someone is taking a picture, think twice about yelling across the store at them.
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I love gift, novelty, and card stores. Babette is a cute store. They have a unique selection of cards you wouldn't find at Hallmark or any other card store. I always look forward to visiting the store. I've been here a few times and like the store overall. The staff is usually friendly. However, today one of the male workers kept looking at me like I was going to steal something. He didn't ask if I needed anything but just looked at me. When I wasn't visible to him, he walked around the corner to make sure I wasn't doing anything illegal. Can you be anymore obvious?
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This store is so cool! I love buying people gag gifts and greeting cards here! They have so much cool stuff, really cute and creative place to buy gifts. Fun to browse at all the neat stuff they have!
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This place is adorable and entertaining. I didn't buy anything there, but it's a great place to stop with a friend or two while you're out and about.
They have every possible silly, useless gift item you can imagine. From those Bunny Suicide books to novelty shoe shaped luggage tags, there's gobs of stuff to look and laugh at. You'll find no shortage of retro style knick knacks or t-shirts with dirty puns on them. Fake facial hair, gnomes of all sorts, nun action figures.
This place is ridiculous. And that makes me love it.
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Babette Schwartz. Hilarious cards, trailer trash memorabilia, pop culture..
A trashy yet sophisticated yet fabulous experience ensues.
Since moving to Hillcrest 6 years ago, Ive seen a lot of stores come and go from the Hillcrest "village" but Babette Schwartz remains. Since wandering in one day, years ago, I've never purchased a birthday, Christmas or any other kind of card from anywhere else. Lewd and vulgar humor, are you kidding? thats me in a nutshell! For example, I just bought birthday card for my best friend that says:
(cover) Allow me to suck up with this birthday card
(inside) Honesty is a good policy. Those ones against banging co-workers and drugs...not so good.
Don't worry, he doesn't yelp so he I'm not blowing the surprise.
Babette is a drag queen (I think) and this store has all the appeal that Spencer's gifts used to have. White trash journals, trailer park coffee books, virgin mary bobblehead dolls, definitely non-pc greeting cards, funny shirts, great birthday gifts, an unabashed take on sexuality (narrow minds beware) and a semi-ok-ehhh staff. Next time you need some fart sludge or domestic goddess eyeglasses, take a trip up to Hillcrest.
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I am in love with Babette Schwartz! I work in a cube farm, and the array of fun office stuff is impressive! I love the saucy post-it notes and the "Pimp My Cube" packages. They have a small but well planned T-shirt section, a collection of toys that will definitely bring you back to your childhood, bachelorette and birthday party supplies, FANTASTIC card selection, funny books, religious kitsch, I could go on and on. If you want to check it out, head to Hillcrest because for as cool as the store is, the website is lame. Happy Shopping!
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Babette Schwartz is the best place for a fun and unique gift! Whether you are looking for something for a friend, relative or for yourself there is alot to offer! They have nice books, funny ones and gross ones! There is a wide range of humor here and you will not find anything else like it in San Diego! The atmosphere is fun, the staff is cool and the merchandise is one-of-a-kind! Looking for a "white trash barbie?", how about a "fart machine?", maybe some Catholic humor or Day of the Dead stuff? Whatever you want...they have it! Having a theme party? They have gifts, decor and great party favors! If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the over 7 ft. tall, redhaired, very loudly dressed Babette! Check it out!
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This place is super cute...filled with fun vintage type toys, cards, gifts, fun tee shirts...so much stuff! I always find great cards and gifts for friends. I could spend a couple of hours in there if it wasn't for the creepy staff. As I'm browsing and having fun reading all of the funny tee shirts and stuff...I happen to glance up and see a hawk of a cashier staring at me...I wasn't sure if I had toliet paper hanging from my booty or they just wanted to ask me out...And not only do they stare at you constantly, they follow you around! Really, it has detered me from spending money there. Are they that concerned of theft? What are people stashing down there pants anyway? Tee shirts, candles, or a birthday card for mom? So weird...relax. Get cameras in the back or a security guard if you're that worried.
Anyway, the place is worth a visit, but don't browse too long...or you'll get the stalker employees on you!
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i heart backstabbing.
i heart my hard drive.
i heart porn spam.
i heart kissing ass.
i heart touching base.
i heart answering my phone in a foreign accent.
& these are just a few of the sayings on the "i heart the office" deluxe sticker set. it's my new favorite.
you'll find me working my way counter-clockwise through the store, reading all the cards, magnets, and post-it notes while laughing my ass off.
the owner usually makes mix CDs that serve as tunage. sweet valentines mix going on right now loaded with all the songs you know the words to but won't admit it. 'cept everyone in here sings along, loud and proud.
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I have loved this place for years. Always great stuff to make one laugh. The cards, gifts, gift prep items, t-shirts and service is always great. The store is clean and not overly crowded with stuff. I love my "After dinner Last Supper mints"...made me laugh. I also bought my Aquaman T-shirt there. (Gawd I was in love with him as a child!) That was my fav purchase all weekend and the guys over at Tag for Dogs & Cats complimented the t-shirt on Sunday. I feel that there items are reasonably priced and expected quality. More specialized selection and unique items than similar type stores.
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Legend has it this place was founded by a famous drag queen in San Diego . There might be some truth to that since the shop carries an eclectic and eccentric mix of souvenirs, gifts and memorabilia.
The service is friendly and odds are they might have some little thing that might catch your interest. They have Wonder Woman and Curious George items which I am fond of. Prices are modest.
The only main downside is street parking or paid lot parking, but it is located in the heart of Hillcrest.
As you step into this shop, the high energy atmosphere is bound to wake you up and titillate your curiosity. Every item is eccentric with a heavy dose of whimsy in this pop culture permeated "babilicious" store. Witty, "punny", silly and downright random define the virtues of the funky objects--cards, tees, mugs, candles,etc.-- that you'll contemplate here. After 5 minutes in this discombobulated joint, I had the urge to suck on a lollipop and freely skip till I couldn't feel my legs anymore! I did leave before giving life to this abominable but cute sight. I did buy a lollipop, though!
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This is like an upscale, classier, and trendier version of Spencers. From their nostalgic trinkets to their t-shirts that ooze pop-culture this little store is fun. Whether you're in to Bettie Paige nostalgia, I heart T-shirts, office prank kits, lunch boxes, journals, candles....or ummm "Fart Sludge"... you'll find something fun.
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when I am feeling a bit low, I walk up the alley and pop into babette's. They have a sense of humor and I always get a laugh out of their greeting cards and magnets.
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one of the things i remember abut this place is that they had a lot of shag themed art on postcards, coffee mugs, tee shirts, bags, etc.
its definitely one of those places with kitsch and class try and clash but it doesn't really work.
things are overpriced, but they have one of a kind gifts for that person who has everything or doesn't want anything. plus, they have cute party ideas and decorations.
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i LOVE this place. they have everything whimsy and kitsch. decent prices. cool staff!
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