Spotted this charming little shop while walking down Leavenworth. It's such a hidden gem with so many treasures inside. CASH ONLY. It's jam packed with clothes from all decades, funky jewelry, vintage knick-knacks, shoes, books, just about everything you can think of. Great for thrifters that like to dig. Still, after only 10 minutes of searching I found this amazing patchwork leather jacket for only $15! As of now, the owner, Don, told me it's open 12pm - 4 weekends and most weekdays. He's been running the shop for almost 20 years and it is a nonprofit! He donates to multiple charities fighting against aids. The Love Project is part of what makes SF so great. Please pay a visit so Don can keep doing what he loves. read more

Love Project - Inside, cramped but full of gems - Shopping Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The used books, fake flowers, & vintage clothing flowing out of Love Project caught my eye. I had to check this place out. About 50-60 Square feet jam packed with stacks to the ceiling of clothes, shoes & accessories. You have to walk sideways to look around since it's so full. Boxes of random things like colorful wigs, stacks of clothing, tons of shoes, $7 for a newish pair of Chuck Taylors. 100's of sunglasses about $3 each, eccentric light up rotating jewelry cases filled with $5 rings, 100's of jewelry pieces, a treasure hunters dream. -Cash only & trades are accepted -Definitely going to drop off all my unused clothing here This is the most interesting store I have experienced. read more

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I don't care that this place is the size of a closet, it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. Networking sends you on a treasure hunt to find the most overlooked places in life. Thanks Connie! Don patiently waited on me as I looked through all the jewelry in the glass case. The whole place is so unique and such a fabulous find. My eyes were set on jewelry, but the place is pretty much stuffed with whatever your heart desires. Please, go to this shop. Keep Don in business! read more

Curio shop indeed. What IS this place? On our way back from dim sum, my girlfriend and I decided to stop in. Complete with a laser-lit entrance, glass cases cast in golden hues and stacks of tea-colored paperbacks, the shop is literally a squeeze to navigate (and neither of us are large by any means). From back to front, the inventory bulges from walls, is packed into each enclave, and spans from floor to ceiling. No friggin' joke. I saw a great pair of gray jeans, but could not, for the life of me, turn around enough to leverage them from the wall cubby. I'd love to come back and dig around a bit more when I have a little more time. Not sure how much time that would be or if I possess such ages. Undoubtedly there are finds to be found. Three stars for now. Curio. A mystery you remain. read more

This place gets four stars because I am obsessed with the idea of it. Like any good explorer or adventurer, I've traveled miles for this place and going to this love project has become a mission of mine. There was life before the love project and there will be life after, but until I actually make it inside, my life (I fear) is missing something. I've lived in SF for two years and have stood outside the love project's gates for... two years. I know getting hints is like cheating. That the point of any adventure lies in the journey, not the designation... But. Come on! When is this place open?! If someone could give me a whisper of hints as to hours or times you've gone (weekends, mornings, week nights?) because I am tired of rounding that corner and seeing the place locked up tight knowing that things could be different. Obsessed, maybe. Is it worth the obsession? Only time will tell.... (help a lady out!) read more

Finally stopped in this little shop and was blown away by the selection of jewelry...specifically chains and rings!! If you are into knockoff gold chains...I got an extra wide herringbone and a faux Versace pendant for under $40. Definitely worth checking out if you need some cool sparkly things ( and who doesn't?) read more

This is a 5-star place in my book because it is so incredibly unique. I have no idea how they stay in business given the ever-increasing rents in the neighborhood. I bought a great hat here for $3. Books? $1. The thing that's enjoyable for me is really the experience of it. You honestly never know what you're going to find. read more

We just loved visiting this little shop ~ It was awesome - You should definitely go and with an open mind and you'll fell like a child in a mystical enchanted world where there are so many trinkets galore! Don (I hope I remembered his name right) was just as friendly as could be ~ And there is everything there. I'm actually really excited about going back there and checking out more of the beautiful pendants that were there ~ Now not only is this cute little shop filled with treasures, but also, all the money goes to the 501(c)(3) to fight AIDs. It's just all around a great project - Don't worry - I know it's in the tenderloin. Just go anywayz!!! read more

Love Project - Standing in Front of the little Love Project storefront =) - Shopping Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tenderloin's hidden gem. Surprisingly small, only enough room two people inside at a time. You can find random odd's and ends here but what I usually go there for is the cheap jewelry! Several cases are piled full of rings, pendants and chains. Just ask the owner for the laser pointer and you can use it to select what pieces your interested. Tons of real silver for a steal! read more

The most amazing store I have ever come across in my neighborhood. Its a treasure chest. Small but lovely. The guy at the counter is friendly and has a great eye for precious little things. I strongly recommend going in when u see no one else in there. Make sure u have ample time at hand to go through piles and piles of things. Amongst those hundreds of things... u'll find something u've been looking for at the cheapest possible rate. Great place to trade treasures too!!!!! read more

The Love Project (Curio Shop) is so amazing. Let me reiterate: SO AMAZING. Don is the greatest man. How it works: you stroll by this hole in the wall "thrift store" and notice the hand made sign, vine-covered doorway, magical gold turrets filled with snake charms, brass knuckles, ivory knives, lion pendants, vintage magnifying glasses, etc. etc. You don't know if you're dreaming or not because looking in you could swear you're staring into a schizophrenics closet. You walk in, notice the disheveled books, clothing, sunglasses and boots and are mildly afraid to go all the way to the back (it's a tight squeeze). Don has a wonderful selection of leather jackets and I did also find these amazing vintage L.L Bean platform lace ups that were a size too small and I cried a little bit. His jewelry is to die for and he can tell what is real and what is fake. You can haggle, bargain, parlay, hold.... I asked him what he wanted to do with the shop (the name makes you think it's a non-profit or some sort of counter-cultural statement store reminiscent of 'Trouble Coffee') and he said "I just like to sell stuff." Simple and sweet. The musty allure and the I-need-to-shower-immediately-now feeling has so much charm for me. I once spent 2 hours here. I'm not joking. And it is a closet. Must experience for yourself! read more

what is this? i asked myself this repeatedly when i was in this store. i wasn't patient enough to dig through their stuff. and i got claustrophobic inside. love project is like a thrift store without.... space... just imagine your walk-in closet in your apartment and fill it up with ALL of your stuff. that's what love project looks like. it should be fun for those of you who are good treasure hunters though. read more