826 Valencia - Store Log

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What happens at the Store?

Many have said that upon entering the best pirate supply store in San Francisco, they get a sensation of déjà vu. Others walk in and feel at once the miracle work of an unseen hand. Yet there are those whose eyes bulge and shrink simultaneously while their thoughts are so convoluted that they are unable to shout or mutter the question that most plagues them: “What is this place?”

The store log is weekly account of actual events that occur in the shop, as well as testimonials, comments and complaints from our customers.

June 28, 2006

An irate PG&E worker stood at the treasure vat, turning it into a makeshift desk for his notebook as he made many calls from his cell phone, speaking in loud, angry tones to the landlord of the building, who had failed to make it to their supposed 1:00 meeting to discuss the meters. “The tenants don’t know diddly-squat!” he screamed into his phone.

In the midst of a phone argument, the afternoon session of kids arrived, and so I couldn’t resist mopping a group of them as they stood waiting to go inside. The shrieks of laughter startled the PG&E guy. He seemed to not know what to think of all the kids that suddenly swarmed the place. After the landlord hung up on him, I explained exactly what went on at 826, and his mood suddenly changed drastically. Then I showed him the fish, and he said, ‘Wow, this is a really special place you’ve got here.” He sat in the theatre for a long time, just watching the fish, I presume.

Jenny asked the kids if anyone knew why we called this place 826 Valencia, and one second grader announced that it was because it is 826 years old.

June 21, 2006

On this very warm first day of summer, Carson decided to do a book signing for his book, A Russian Boy in Love. A few of the interns had brought their copies in to have them signed, and Carson enjoyed the impromptu signing to such an extent that he asked if we could have an actual, in-store book signing for him. Of course I had to oblige. He followed me outside as I changed the sign to read:

A RUSSIAN BOY IN LOVE
BOOK SIGNING TODAY

When it was written to his liking, he immediately went and dragged the small table that is near the bathroom into the store. We set up in front of the pew, and Carson sat down between the two chests of drawers, right underneath the sweatshirts. The books rested on top of the table in their gold display stand and I found a green pen for him to use. Instead of water, he insisted on a warm Diet Vanilla Pepsi. Jenny took pictures, and I must say that I have never seen Carson look prouder!

He talked to every customer that came into the store for his two hour signing. He sold three books, and personalized each entry. In one, he told me that he accidentally wrote, “ Dear Monique” instead of “ To Monique.” Later, when it became too hot for him to be in the store much longer, he did the math, and figured that he had made 826 almost $80 with the sale of his book. He did admit, however, that he will only be happy when the sales have passed the $100 mark. Then he asked me if I thought the cream chase on his bagel looked like lard.

June 18, 2006

Today sign, for Father’s Day: Blackbeard, the results are in and you ARRRRR the father.

A man came in with a lady friend and began asking me about whether the pirate store was for real. You see, he’s always been fascinated by pirates, ever since he was a little kid, when he went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyworld. And he had the tattoo to prove it, which he proudly showed me: it was in full color, of a woman buccaneer sitting on top of a treasure chest, surrounded by doubloons. It covered his entire back. He also had a pirate ship sailing across the back of his neck. It’s a good thing, I guess, that he wasn’t as taken with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or else he might have the entrance to an abandoned mine on his stomach now.

June 11, 2006

A group of nine lawyers came in to buy lots of pirate stuff – they are taking part in a pirate-chili-cook-off tomorrow. Wow. Law school is sounding increasingly appealing.

June 07, 2006

Otka puffed at 6:50 PM.

I went in to put dinner in the tank and she puffed – just for a split second. It may have been her excitement, or maybe because another fish was quite close to her…whoa!

June 03, 2006

I just sold a message bottle to a guy who will be using it to propose marriage. His partner thinks they’re going to Boston – but they’re actually going to Tahiti! Then, he’s going to float the bottle, containing a pendant with the proposal tucked inside, when his sweetie gets into the water. I’m all flushed and giddy from being part of the romance.

June 01, 2006

Today’s sign: Advocating for the 18th letter of the alphabet since 1974.

A man called and asked if we had a book called Booty, about women pirates. I couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not, but he sounded disappointed when I told him that it looked like we’d never carried it.


	*Archives* June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005		What happens at the Store? Many have said that upon entering the best pirate supply store in San Francisco, they get a sensation of déjà vu. Others walk in and feel at once the miracle work of an unseen hand. Yet there are those whose eyes bulge and shrink simultaneously while their thoughts are so convoluted that they are unable to shout or mutter the question that most plagues them: “What is this place?” The store log is weekly account of actual events that occur in the shop, as well as testimonials, comments and complaints from our customers. June 28, 2006 An irate PG&E worker stood at the treasure vat, turning it into a makeshift desk for his notebook as he made many calls from his cell phone, speaking in loud, angry tones to the landlord of the building, who had failed to make it to their supposed 1:00 meeting to discuss the meters. “The tenants don’t know diddly-squat!” he screamed into his phone. In the midst of a phone argument, the afternoon session of kids arrived, and so I couldn’t resist mopping a group of them as they stood waiting to go inside. The shrieks of laughter startled the PG&E guy. He seemed to not know what to think of all the kids that suddenly swarmed the place. After the landlord hung up on him, I explained exactly what went on at 826, and his mood suddenly changed drastically. Then I showed him the fish, and he said, ‘Wow, this is a really special place you’ve got here.” He sat in the theatre for a long time, just watching the fish, I presume. Jenny asked the kids if anyone knew why we called this place 826 Valencia, and one second grader announced that it was because it is 826 years old. June 21, 2006 On this very warm first day of summer, Carson decided to do a book signing for his book, A Russian Boy in Love. A few of the interns had brought their copies in to have them signed, and Carson enjoyed the impromptu signing to such an extent that he asked if we could have an actual, in-store book signing for him. Of course I had to oblige. He followed me outside as I changed the sign to read: A RUSSIAN BOY IN LOVE BOOK SIGNING TODAY When it was written to his liking, he immediately went and dragged the small table that is near the bathroom into the store. We set up in front of the pew, and Carson sat down between the two chests of drawers, right underneath the sweatshirts. The books rested on top of the table in their gold display stand and I found a green pen for him to use. Instead of water, he insisted on a warm Diet Vanilla Pepsi. Jenny took pictures, and I must say that I have never seen Carson look prouder! He talked to every customer that came into the store for his two hour signing. He sold three books, and personalized each entry. In one, he told me that he accidentally wrote, “ Dear Monique” instead of “ To Monique.” Later, when it became too hot for him to be in the store much longer, he did the math, and figured that he had made 826 almost $80 with the sale of his book. He did admit, however, that he will only be happy when the sales have passed the $100 mark. Then he asked me if I thought the cream chase on his bagel looked like lard. June 18, 2006 Today sign, for Father’s Day: Blackbeard, the results are in and you ARRRRR the father. A man came in with a lady friend and began asking me about whether the pirate store was for real. You see, he’s always been fascinated by pirates, ever since he was a little kid, when he went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyworld. And he had the tattoo to prove it, which he proudly showed me: it was in full color, of a woman buccaneer sitting on top of a treasure chest, surrounded by doubloons. It covered his entire back. He also had a pirate ship sailing across the back of his neck. It’s a good thing, I guess, that he wasn’t as taken with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or else he might have the entrance to an abandoned mine on his stomach now. June 11, 2006 A group of nine lawyers came in to buy lots of pirate stuff – they are taking part in a pirate-chili-cook-off tomorrow. Wow. Law school is sounding increasingly appealing. June 07, 2006 Otka puffed at 6:50 PM. I went in to put dinner in the tank and she puffed – just for a split second. It may have been her excitement, or maybe because another fish was quite close to her…whoa! June 03, 2006 I just sold a message bottle to a guy who will be using it to propose marriage. His partner thinks they’re going to Boston – but they’re actually going to Tahiti! Then, he’s going to float the bottle, containing a pendant with the proposal tucked inside, when his sweetie gets into the water. I’m all flushed and giddy from being part of the romance. June 01, 2006 Today’s sign: Advocating for the 18th letter of the alphabet since 1974. A man called and asked if we had a book called Booty, about women pirates. I couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not, but he sounded disappointed when I told him that it looked like we’d never carried it.