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Backspace
Categories: Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Shopping Fashion Accessories Women's Clothing, Accessories [Edit]
351 Divisadero St(between Oak St & Page St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
(415) 355-1051
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Shannon M. said: "For us ladies (especially during the spring time after a winter of hibernating-type activities), shopping for bathing suits is a less-than desirable event. But, it's still something that you just gotta do and no better place to do it…" read more »
32 reviews for Backspace
Review Highlights
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"They also carry some local designers." In 10 reviews -
"Great unusual jewelry, funky indie printed T's." In 11 reviews -
"They also carry a nice price range." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Pearl V.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2012
This is one of my favorite "off the beaten path" boutiques when I need something new for any occasion. The selection works for almost any "girl" and there's a variety of casual to sexy to "wow" pieces. It's not overwhelming and helps you focus when you're in a rush. PLUS, the jewelry selection is really fabulous for a locally-owned shop.
I heart Mandy, too. I've been shopping with her since Jax on Haight (many, many moons ago). She really knows what designers and cuts will fit your body and makes suggestions if you're open to it. This is definitely the spot if you don't want pushy, annoying sales people nipping at your heels. Although, "Max", the cute little shop dog just might say HI. =). Backspace ROCKS! -
Review from Laura Z.
San Francisco, CA
4/6/2012
If you are looking for cute clothes in this neighborhood -this is the place.
If you are looking for a great shopping experience, move on.
I recently went into this place for the first time. There was a woman sitting in the middle of the store. She did not say hello when my friend and I came in. As I perused the cute clothes and held onto the items to soon try on, the woman who worked there continued to ignore us and stare at her computer. As I was perusing the clothes and came closer to her, she still ignored me. I put the clothes in a dressing room myself. I noticed that she was checking her Yahoo! email while eating her lunch and making sure that her dog in the crate next to her was comfortable. As I continued around the store and was continuously ignored, I grew uncomfortable. I felt as though I was interrupting her daily life.
So I left. I didn't try on any clothes because I felt so uninvited by the only person in the store. She was too "busy" for me and my friend. I was really disappointed. -
Review from Mel P.
2/4/2012
Before the bus came, I went in and took a quick browse. I wish I had had more time to look around because they really had some cute items. I especially liked the jewelry. I hope to stop by again a take my time because from the looks of this place, I can add some really timeless pieces to my wardrobe! :)
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Review from Jenn G.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2011
I went here last weekend on a whim. I decided I needed a little retail therapy and that I hadn't really been window shopping in the Haight recently. So I stumbled into Backspace without an agenda and started to browse.
The clothing selection is decent--there were several items I tried on--but nothing super unique from many of the other mid-priced boutiques in the Mission or Marina. I tried on a romper with long pants, which is far outside my fashion comfort zone, but in a good way. The woman working the counter was somewhat cold, but at least she didn't try to upsell me on anything.
Overall, I'll be back, but mostly to peruse the sale rack. -
Review from Autumn K.
11/25/2007
FAVORITE QUOTE EVAR:
"If it covers your thong, it's a dress, honey."
-Owner of Backspace
Hallelujah to that! This lady is awesome and clearly a woman after my own heart. Prices run the gamut from $20 sale rack to $280 for a sweatshirt (a sweatshirt I almost walked out with, it was so cute, thankyouverymuch). If you're a nervous purchaser, have a few cocktails down at Fly and come back ready to buy. There is nothing in this place that doesn't make me feel FabUlous. Seriously. I want to just hang out here all the time and soak up Ms. Backspace's positive mojo. Plus, there's a very talkative shop pooch (little pudgy poodle) who will make you wish you could take more than just clothes home with you!
Clothes are minimalist but fun and flirtatious for the most part. GREAT selection of party dresses right now, just in time for the holidays. -
Review from beth m.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2007
Anyone who passes can't help but to be mesmerized by the window's of this store...or at least the ladies.
Think of beautiful, fun, sassy party dresses that make you want to create an occasion, even if you don't have one to go to (just to justify your purchase-hee hee)
The girls that work here are amazing, friendly, honest and helpful.
WHY NOT FIVE STARS?
I'm not a size small and most of their dresses tend to be so. You can find mediums and larges, but some of the dresses are really only for the 4-6 crowd.
They can also be a little spendy- don't get me wrong, it's well worth it. Just don't expect superior quality like this at Forever 21 prices. The friend I was with thought they were joking (to be fair she thinks everything over $20 is unreasonable)Listed in: Around Divis
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Review from Josie A.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2007
How to say Love, love, LOVE this local owner of some of the most fabulous boutiques in town! Best of all, she is a major supporter of local designers and the most trusting host of retail a woman can find... what else would you ask for?
Funky, bad-ass jewelry... ask about Fluidance !@%! -
Review from Deann M.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2008
I first heard about Backspace when my gay roommate gave me a fabulous jacket from there for my birthday. Not sure why I didn't rush over there soon after, but I didn't really appreciate BackSpace until I moved to the 'hood. It is an excellent option for a cute top for a night out, some every day jeans or a sweet dress for an upcoming wedding or party. The best part about BackSpace is that every Molly, Sue and Karen won't be wearing the same Macy's or even Ambiance dress as you at the next get-together. BackSpace is a tiny space with a lot of warmth, helpfulness and nice stuff. The woman there last week helped me through a whole series of like 10 pairs of jeans - all to help me be cool and have a pair of high waisted pants. I still haven't settled on a pair but I will be back!
The price tag: I'd say, be prepared for $30-$50 for a top, $70-200 for pants and $50-$200 for a dress. Yeah, so Ambiance or boutique type prices....all for a very good cause!Listed in: Love 'n Haight
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Review from rachel y.
San Francisco, CA
6/18/2009
I live right by this store and try and go once a month. Everything is local and great quality. The staff is super nice and even offered me truffles last time I was in. If you are looking for a nice bday gift, the jewelry here is very unique and reasonable priced. However, the clothing is a bit on the pricey side.
Great accessories too! -
Review from j. B.
Twin Cities, MN
3/3/2008
I wandered into Backspace quite by accident. The stunning hand-painted dresses displayed in the window drew me in and the friendly staff had me browsing far longer than I intended. I was fortunate to meet Susan, the owner who is charming.
Here's the thing: this is a boutique. It is not a big-box store or a shop you will find in the malls of the world. Backspace carries specialty clothing and accessories. They feature local designers. The selection of sizes you will find in a locally owned boutique is quite good, with a array of styles to please the most finicky. Do not expect to find clothing at bargain-basement prices. That being said I found a darling jacket on clearance for $30. and tank $12. which I considered steals. Absolutely worth a trip. Make sure to stop at some of the other shops on this block also: Cookin' and a great mid-century modern store with accessories and furnishings whose name escapes me. Happy hunting! -
Review from all-i s.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2009
So I just celebrated my 30th birthday and I needed a fabulous outfit to compliment my fabulous evening. Being a Seattle transplant, I checked my favorite Sea-town designer's (Prarie Underground) store list and found Backspace. Thank goodness. The wonderful woman inside was super helpful without being pushy and helped me pick out an incredible blouse and a stunning pair of earrings for the occasion. I am a size 10-12 so I definitely noticed their lack of larger sizes but I found something just perfect for me without a problem. I have noticed that almost every store sells out of their larger sizes first, so, um, buyers? Why don't you order more mediums and larges from the get-go?
Anywho, I am a really picky shopper and I wanted almost everything in there; they really carry a great selection of small and local designers with a flair for the unique and truly innovative. I left Backspace after a really frustratingly long day of shopping feeling satisfied and energized by the attitude of the ladies in the shop and their amazing selection. If you are like me and hate wading through the department store madness, go to Backspace first. You might like it. Your wallet may not.
Oh, and while you are there, check out their selection of Prarie Underground- the line is expensive because it is made in the US of organic cotton and dyed with non-toxic dyes. But I have two jackets from them that I wear almost daily and that fit women with curves. They make the perfect San Francisco layering pieces!! -
Review from Perry S.
San Francisco, CA
3/3/2007
I love this store due to the fact they look very chic and stylish, and they always have a good display that will reel you to get in to the store. But when you're inside, hm..not so much. They do have cute stuff and I like the fact they carry Ella Moss and Rebecca Beeson. They also carry some local designers. The price range is pretty reasonable. You can find something real expensive or quite affordable for the wallet.
Though the young SA was very nice, but she was kinda in my face once I got a few items to try on. She kept asking me while I was in the fitting room if she could get me a different size or what not. What bugs me the most is, alot of the sizing are just running much smaller than regular size which makes me feel like I am a fucking fat ass. Thanks. -
Review from Gretchen T.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2006
This is where I had my recent epiphany about my penchant for boutique shopping. The big stores started freaking me out a long time ago--you can't escape fast enough if you get overwhelmed by the crowds or pissed that the jeans you wanted so badly don't fit. The counting of items before going into a dressing room and always having too many. The lack of air and natural light, etc.
So boutiques like Joe Pye/Queen of the Meadow have been fitting the bill. Or, more accurately, have been taking all of my bills. But I'm out of hundred dollar bills, y'all. When I was last here, I left feeling more than a little depressed: 1) Maybe it's the leggings-style jeans/80's comeback, maybe everything "runs kind of small," or maybe I've become a ginormous fat ass, but few things fit. 2) the dresses all barely covered my hoo haa (tm Miri D. and my mother), but maybe they were supposed to be shirts and I'm so unhip I didn't know, 3) the stuff I really fell in love with was over $300. It was all too much.
That's when the epiphany occurred. Even if I did have an extra grand in my (non-designer) purse, how could I justify buying a single item of Stefani's L.A.M.B.-wear with it? The bfriend would leave me on the spot and my grandma would shake her head in disappointment, "I thought I told you to always remember who you are!" So I left empty-handed and deflated.
This is a great shop for little-sized women who like UK and unique fashions. The service is not snotty and the space is nicely laid out. However, it is just not for me anymore.*
*Disclaimer, I do have to go back to pick up a t-shirt I tried on that has a big gold silkscreen of a cougar on it that I want to wear for my 35th bday! Then I promise, I'll go back to Loehmann's forevermore! -
Review from Nina H.
Los Angeles, CA
3/23/2008
Once again, another reason to love my neighborhood. If I get that shopping itch, but don't feel like venturing out- all I have to do is walk around the corner to this adorable boutique! It hosts mostly local designers, as the previous yelpers have mentioned. But, they also carry some standard boutique brands (none of which I can think of right now though).
However, I typically don't walk out of here having purchased any of the clothing-- but I do walk out with their jewelry! They have awesome jewelry, also from local designers, and at reasonable prices. This little place is definitely worth a trip for that- just beware, the store can be so laid back that they may close without notice. Their store hours sign says they open from "11ish" and I've also often walked by and noticed a sign that said "we'll be back soon" but every time I came back to see if they were open yet, they weren't. -
Review from wes p.
Shreveport, LA
9/16/2007
I live in the neighborhood and pop into Backspace / Queen pretty regularly.
I love the owner. She's incredibly friendly and down to earth, and she always finds me the right pair of jeans. She will actually say, "Mmmm. No, that pair just doesn't flatter you. Try these." And then hand me a pair that costs $20 less. I SO appreciate her good eye and honesty.
I come in for staples like jeans & cool t-shirts by local designers, as well as a one-of-a-kind splurge once in awhile. They also carry a nice price range. I've definitely picked up some great little pieces for under $50 before. -
Review from christine l.
Marin County, CA
6/13/2010
This is a mixed review, its either a one star review (iffiness of product) or a four star review (quality of in-store service)...
I used to frequent Backspace a few years back and always had a positive experience. At least I think it was the same store, definitely same location, but perhaps it has changed ownership. I was in SF last weekend, and as I drove by the store I suddenly remembered it, quickly parked, and came in and made two purchases. The owner was there, and she was super helpful, I really like her and we had a really nice chat about local designers, her shop, dogs and living in the Bay Area...
Here is the problem, once I got home I realized that the jeans I bought have "Gap, Inc." metal buttons on the fly...which confuses me since I assumed that I was buying jeans by an independent designer-- since I was in local non-chain shop, not to mention that I am pretty sure that The Gap does not sell their jeans outside of their own stores (aside from used pairs at consignment shops). Upon further inspection they simply appear to be faux Gap jeans. They have no brand whatsoever anywhere on the hang tag or inner label, except silkscreened across the waistband is "Limited Edition 1969". More Gap evidence, except the typeface doesn't match any Gap logos I have seen, and the jeans have a made in USA label (which I am not buying) rather than the made in Mexico label...
But really faux or not, I did not intend on buying Gap jeans, I wouldn't have been spending my money in this store if that were the case. I am hoping that I am supporting a local designer, but if so then I am supporting one who doesn't want to be named, a bit suspicious.
My friends have suggested that I have been scammed. I think they may be right. I emailed and called the owner about a week ago, and she has not responded, nor has her staff. It is possible that the owner was scammed by whomever sold her the line of jeans, but either way it would have been nice to hear back from her.
That all said, I like the jeans. They fit, they look nice. I am giving them their first wash right now. Here is hoping they are solidly built and will not fall apart in the wash... -
Review from Kelly Kate W.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2008
The woman who owns this place is completely the sort of person I want to have helping me when I walk into a store - she is kind, helpful, and completely knowledgeable about the products she carries and the neighborhood where her store is located.
I live in the neighborhood and have more often than not wandered in to backspace wearing junky clothes, I've always been treated with kindness instead of the inauthentic smiles or snotty disinterest I so often find when I'm not dressed to the nines. As a result, I'll spend some time shopping and I've usually walked away with two or three finds that remain closet staples through the seasons.
i like that there are finds to please a shopper on a budget mixed in with some very nice pieces worth the splurge. I'm also partial to buying local, and there is a great assortment of locally designed clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
I know that backspace hosts art openings from time to time and I've loved the art I've seen while shopping although I haven't had the chance to stop by for any of the events. It's on the to-do list.
5, well-earned stars. -
Review from Keila E.
Los Angeles, CA
11/11/2007
I agree with most of you ladies about this store and the size issue. Are the sizes smaller here? Or does my waist size go up when I walk through these doors?
The owner here is AWESOME. She is totally personable and is always letting me know when something is onsale or discounted. She pretty much rocks.
I just wish they bought more clothes in larger sizes...not plus sizes just regular sizes!
They do carry OFFICE TRAMP jewelry and that is awesome because it is amazing. -
Review from fuck you p.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2009
One of my regular place(s) to shop for clothes and for jewlery. The staff are competent enough, I can't really complain about the prices. I've completely rehauled my wardrobe for fall with the help of Susan the owner.
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Review from miss lisa k.
Minneapolis, MN
6/1/2005
My favorite thing about Joe Pye is that about 7 out of 10 pieces in this shop are made by local designers. I love that you can sift through pieces that are hand made with creative care and come with a little bit of soul in each of them. Great unusual jewelry, funky indie printed T's. Get your car washed across the street and pop in here for a little extra fun on a Saturday afternoon.
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Review from andrea f.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2008
this place is making me poor.
but with a fabulous, gi-normous jean collection. -
Review from Claire C.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2005
Affordable clothes, super pleasant staff. This is a great go-to store when you need a shirt to wear out that night, but don't want to break the bank. You can also catch this place on a good sale and really score. Due to the semi-awkward location it seems to have a good selection of clothes that would normally be snatched up at more centralized boutiques. I really like the staff, cool chicks with good clothing advice.
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Review from Scatha G.
Sacramento, CA
3/28/2006 1 photo
great boutique for the serious shopper......
if you're looking for items that you're not going to find everywhere, take a moment to stop in here, there is a standard selection of top-quality denim, but what you are really looking for is the local designer selection, some of the best in the city at the right price.
plus you can now find miss velvet cream (the little sculpt felt coat) and a huge range of daena bratt items! -
Review from Cathy T.
San Francisco, CA
10/26/2006
They have interesting stuff within a nice price range. You can find some extremely good deals here. I bought a gorgeous sundress here for only $80.00 and they also have some high end stuff. The emphasis here is on good design and not just turning a crazy profit. Staff is very nice.
Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Jill D.
8/25/2005
I have a hard time making up my mind about this place. I either find one thing I love or nothing at all. It is definitely not the place I go to first or the place I go to for a complete outfit. Their jewelry can be very reasonable and inspired. They carry decent jeans (Citizens, Paper Denim Cloth, Joe's) but then so do a lot of places. Good selection of C&C tees. Prices are okay and not overly boutiquey.
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Review from Alyssa C.
San Francisco, CA
4/5/2005
Good selection of popular brands (C+C, Citizens) Store is great looking and has the building has an interesting history. Carries interesting jewelry and bags.
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Review from Rachel B.
Pleasant Hill, CA
7/9/2008
Great space, great people, great jewelry, but like most indie fashion stores, size small and medium are pretty much all you get for the money. Big money.
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Review from Hannah F.
San Francisco, CA
4/24/2009
Finally went here after almost three years living in the area. I was on a mission for a pair of jeans and the girl working could not have been more helpful. Forget her name, but she had short brown hair. Although, I didn't find anything this time, I'll definitely be back. Great jewelry, too!
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Review from Velvet V.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2008
What a great place! Love all the people who work here! I love that Susan and her pup are so happy in this space. I like the new Venus Superstar vibe here. This area could use a little more cool! Thank you for selling my items! You gals rock the fashion seen here this side of town! Have more events please. XXOO Best selection of great unique female fashion in town. Seriously!
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Review from Jane D.
San Francisco, CA
3/24/2009
I stumbled across this place while on my way to meet some friends at a local cafe. This place is very nicely laid out with pretty and unique pieces by local artists. A great selection of jewelry too. The stuff here is good quality and fairly priced. Like any other good-quality boutique, products are not overstocked on the racks so just ask the owner about any size that isn't on the rack. The owner is a very sweet, approachable lady who is knowledgeable about the products she carries. I purchased a pair of leather/gold feather earrings and a greyish tunic top on my first visit...I absolutely love them and I will definitely be back for more shopping excursions.
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Review from marcus t.
Seattle, WA
3/7/2010
Super cute clothing from many local designers and fantastic service from Emily. Thanks!!
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Review from Athena C.
Oakland, CA
11/27/2008
I love this store,best of all the owner Susan has years of experience owning more than one boutique.I love her honesty when you try clothes on she tells you if it doesn't look good; unlike other boutiques that say everything looks good, yes rite!! They have great independent and local designers and not every girl on the block is wearing your fashions.I have shoped at Backspace and her other boutique, formerly Jaxx,which was located on Haight street.Susan is friendly and personable.If you haven't stopped in I suggest doing so real soon!!!
