Sign of the Bear Kitchenware in Sonoma, CA, is in the historic Sonoma Plaza shopping district. Sign of the Bear kitchenware. Say that 10 times fast. Just as fun to say, it's fun to browse even if you're not a home chef. They have brand name, quality cookware, bakeware, and kitchen items. Gifts and gadgets. Basic items (inexpensive) to "what do I do with this" specialized items (pricier). All at reasonable, competitive pricing for the brands. Locally owned since 1972. Awesome! The place is not particularly large, but they have a knack for utilizing space without feeling cluttered. I stopped in recently because I happen to be in the area and heard they carry Smithy, American made cast iron cookware. In particular I was looking for the carbon steel line of Smithy which is supposedly lighter in weight than their cast iron line. The young sales associate helped me locate the Smithy display. He was aware of the brand and knew where it was exactly in the shop. Lovely, gorgeous pieces. Pricing was on par.After doing my weightlifting kitchen curl test with a 10 inch skillet, I concluded that it is less weighty but I'm too weak to handle even that carbon steel weight. However I am uncommonly lacking the normal upper body strength. So you most likely will not have the same issue as I. read more

This store is fantastic. This store would be my toy store dream. The variety of kitchen items is wonderful. From the least expensive budgets to the more extravagant budgets you will find what you are looking for. The representatives were very helpful and pleasant. read more

They are sharing your in-store purchase and personal information with facebook which is a deal breaker for me. So much for supporting local businesses. I did not shop there to give facebook more intrusive ways to annoy me. read more

We loved this store. If you're in Sonoma you should check it out. Maybe I just have a kitchenware fetish. I left satisfied.

Best local store! Love Laura and the team. It feels like Cheers, they all know your name! I can buy some items at William Sonoma but instead I believe in supporting our local community stores. if they don't have an item, just ask they will order it for you. Simply the best! read more

So I went into the store, because I was really only looking for a pot holder. They had lots to choose from, and I wanted it to be for my daughter. She loves avocados, and I found one with avocados. The people were very friendly, and I noticed they were telling everyone where they could find whatever they needed. I thought the price of the pot holder was perfect. If I was looking for other kitchen items, they have a very wide selection. read more

Still one of my favorite kitchen stores anywhere!!! These guys have a fabulous selection of all kinds of things! From pots,pans, knives. Oh my the knives are amazing!! To all kinds of cute towels, bowls etc. They go from fun to completely utilitarian and everything in between!! And these guys know what they are talking about so just ask if you need help!!! read more

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Again, Sonoma Square at the holidays is second to none. Find a place to park ,plenty of areas to choose from. Although it just may take a trip or two nascar style to fine an opening. For all the foodies, budding chefs and the unique gift ideas. I can't show a photo of what was purchased because it is still a secret. Shop local this and all holidays. read more

Sign of the Bear Kitchenware - Just a glimpse - Kitchen & Bath Near Me - Sonoma, California

Totally fun fun place to find unique gadgets for the kitchen. For those hard to buy folks , this is a great place to find fun gifts for them. My husband found this store as we were heading towards Sunflower Caffe, and the window displays had fun items (mouse cheese knives sooo cute, cute handtowels, but we came back because of some knives they had for promo which was 25% less then online). Unfortunately, they were still close after we had breakfast hours are 10-6pm. I loved finding some really cool things for the kitchen. This place had everything from cookware, chinaware, grillware, bakeware, barware, any kitchware you can think of!.. lol whatever you can think of for the kitchen (and many you wouldn't even dream of) they had. Super friendly service. They provided free gift wrapping for one of cool pewter spout for a wine lover (different designs but my friend loves mermaid so found her that). The kids wanted me to buy a construction cutlery which would be so cute for a 5 year boy bday gift. I definitely want to come buy and buy more things for christmas and birthday gifts. Prices were reasonable with excellent promos.. My husband bought a beautiful 14" knife (for brisket) that online costs $95 (plus shipping) .. they had it on sale for $59 (SCORE!) It's fun visiting Sonoma lots of great food, park close buy for the kids, and fun stores to visit and window shop (or BUY). read more

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Man, this is the best and coolest place to shop for home decor. They have everything you can imagine. I love how many of their items are exclusive to them. I ordered a few things to be shipped back home to me in Florida. The lady who helped me was very knowledgeable and made sure everything arrived well protected as to not be broken. Everything arrived safe. I wish I took pictures there. They have a lot of street parking in this area. This is a great place to stop and even just browse. But I bet you will buy something because of all the cool loot they have such as cookware, dishes, pot holders, pictures, etc. read more

Sign of the Bear Kitchenware - Platter - Kitchen & Bath Near Me - Sonoma, California

This shop is amazing . Friendly , helpful staff ,and stocked well W kitchen supplies , and gadgets , cutting boards , gorgeous cheese boards , been here a few decades . Downtown Sonoma proper !!! Check it out !! read more

Sign of the Bear Kitchenware - Fantastic kitchen wares !! - Kitchen & Bath Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Love the stock. Love the service. Wish it was open 'til 6:00 to be able to visit every time we went to Sonoma for our early 6:30 to 7 dinner! read more

One of the very best kitchen stores in Northern California. Entertaining and something for everyone!! Quality items (high end wood cutting boards and custom oak wine barrel lazy Susan tops, expensive knives) - funny items (hilarious "Thug" cookbooks, rifle bearing army men bottle openers, pewter Viking and unicorn wine stoppers, funny cocktail napkins & kitchen towels) - cool items like useful & unique gadgets (wine charms, avocado slicer, microwave potato chip maker, flasks, mushroom brushes, tiny spoons and salt bowls). This place is amazing. My little family spent 30-minutes in here today just shopping around and having fun! We left with a few treasures and enjoyed our time at Sign of the Bear! You have to check it out when you come to visit Sonoma. read more

This place is unique and is definitely all about things for the kitchen and house wares. Staff is friendly, helpful and gracious. The Sign of The Bear has a lot of really one-of-a-kind items and gift ideas. From my humble perspective, this place is beyond Martha Stewart and Williams Sonoma; they have things and ideas that neither Martha or WS has. Yet on average Sign of The Bear is reasonably priced, especially when compared to WS, Martha Stewart or even Pottery Barn. Not only does Sign of The Bear have a more robust variety of items offered but they have a sense of taste and style that is both eclectic and well-thought out. Sign of The Bear also has original specialty items that are produced locally, that reflects the beauty and quality that is Sonoma Valley. So if you're looking for something that says "this is from wine country" then Sign of The Bear is the place to go. Parking is available on the street, right outside the door, but is limited. Sign of The Bear gets busy on weekends, especially during tourist season. This is not a place to rush through. Take your time. read more

Laura has her shop well-stocked; and has friendly and informative staff! A fun place to browse and shop for all your kitchen needs and wants. read more

I don't know what it is but one of the places that my husband and I like to check out when we're in a new place is a kitchen store. This one did not disappoint. The staff were great with us. They seemed like they were informed with their products which you will definitely not get from big box stores. Also their prices are good! read more

Well stocked store with almost everything that you might need including high end products. But they do tend to charge full price for most of their offerings. It's a fun place to walk through and make impulse buys. I do! read more

Great find in Sonoma, located right on the square. Wine Country has many unique shops and boutiques. If your looking for kitchen/cookware this shop is your spot. I have been to CIA kitchen/cookware store in St. Helena, which I loved also, but I really like to support this store as it is owned by a nice Husand/Wife team. They do a great job and work hard at supplying unique, useful kitchenware. The store had a big banner in the display window thanking all the "first responders" fighting the North Bay wildfires. They expresses their gratitude to the fire fighters for saving their business! I look forward to visiting Sign of the Bear again soon. I think this business is going to help me find gifts for the Cook's in my life. I saw classic, quality items that are reasonably priced. Next time I'm in Sonoma, I'll be sure to stop in and take a look around! read more

Sign of the Bear Kitchenware - Kitchen & Bath Near Me - Sonoma, California

Check receipt!! I was overcharged by almost 20%. They guy at the register had absolutely no personality and seems bored to tears at having to work. I think he was just randomly charging since most of the customers are tourists. Otherwise, the store is very cute. Very similar to Sur La Table and extra quaint in downtown Sonoma. read more

The middle aged folks of this establishment are extremely rude and musty. They hella look at me like my pants are on fire. I won't be back af. Don't shop here!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Over the past ten years I've bought kitchenware and cook books galore from this shop. This very charming shop. More fun than a sur la table store, maybe because it's more cluttered and quirky. Or maybe because it doesn't feel so corporate cookie cutter. Lots'a high quality merchandise. And when an item is on sale it can be priced lower than an e-Bay or Amazon deal. Recommended. read more

This year, I wanted 2 more cups for my collection of Sorrento dinnerware. They had the colors I wanted, and even though it was quite busy, I was helped with a big smile. This is truly on of the best kitchen store ever! read more

I'm a sucker for culinary supplies. I love to window shop and although it wasn't my birthday, I wanted something for myself and home. They have so many gadgets and appliances that I was like a kid in a candy store. The baking section is impressive and the wood carved items were really beautiful. I tried to keep in simple and pick up a couple small accesories for my kitchen. Perfect place for anyone who loves to cook or gifts for those who do. A culinary based gift is a gift that keeps on giving. read more

I'm sure I'm not the first customer to walk through the door of Sign of the Bear and stop dead in her tracks with mouth agape. Holy cow, what a fantastic store! I nearly went into sensory overload walking up and down the aisles. My eyes could barely take in all the wonderful kitchen gadgets, many of which I'd previously only seen on cooking shows. It's unbelievable how many goodies they've packed into this store, but they manage to keep it nicely organized. About a third of the store is very pricey in my opinion, but that means it's perfect for finding a gift for the cook or hostess who has everything. You can still find plenty of reasonably-priced wares for yourself...some you didn't even know you needed but suddenly can't live without. The staff greets you the moment you walk in and gives the perfect level of service: In other words, they leave you in peace to browse to your heart's content, but they are very present and tuned in and are eager to answer any questions. I will be making a beeline to this store every time I find myself in Sonoma! read more

This place has everything for your kitchen. It's like a mini Sur la Table in the heart of downtown Sonoma. Kitchen gadgets, coffee makers, knives, you name it, they've got it. And because they're located in wine country, they carry plenty of wine related gadgets. Even if you leave empty handed it's a great place to browse. read more

Found their website while looking for purchasing knives. I called to ask some questions and found their personal service super helpful. Placed an order over the phone and they shipped fast. read more

Need a Shun knife? Oh.... what about a sous vide machine? some new cutlery? gourmet tools for the kitchen? stemware? Flatware? cute gifts? a new Le Creuset anything with their awesome lifetime warranties? Sign of the Bear, IMHO, has some of the best inventory in gourmet kitchen fineries out there....amazed me walking around yesterday afternoon. Found the cutest little dainty, unique salt spoons...a luxury?! oh yes! Butter bell crocks, aprons, dish towels, little fun knick knacks that assist you on your journey to unleashing that Top Chef in you! Quite the impressed window shopper cum mini purchaser....so much inventory that the place seems stuffed silly to the rafters with merchandise! read more

Sign of The Bear Kitchenware is the kind of store that has things that you didn't even know you needed! Even though I was taught many years ago that you should be able to do everything in the kitchen with only three knives, I can't help but have a love of gadgets! They have a whole section for baking gear... maybe I should take up baking...hmmmm. They have great visual stimulation. It's a wonderful place for tourists to find the right gift for someone back whom if a bottle of wine won't do the trick. So many beautiful, fun, unique items that will always remind you of your trip to Sonoma, long after you've drank the rest of your souvenirs. Since I'm fairly local, I stop in often enough to be reminded of something I already have that could use to be renewed. And I love their selection of soaps. Something fresh and floral to brighten up the kitchen or guest bathroom. Perfect! Stop in, treat yourself to something special. You deserve it. Shopping Tip: Check out their selection of Cast Ironware. read more

Totally wonderful cooking store. Great mix of brands and items and the staff were amazingly helpful. After our initial visit,I barely made it back to the car before heading back in to the store to buy a Heritage saucier (that has been a wonderful acquisition). Ended up caLling them from home after we got back to San Jose to purchase a frypan in the same collection. Another great experience with their helpful staff. This is a place worth a detour to visit when you're up in Wine Country. Independent. Passionate about all things cooking. And lovely people. Well done, folks! read more

Had such a fun time in this store yesterday! Soo many cute items! Course we took many great things home with us. It's a great little shop to buy things not only for yourself but so many gift ideas! Everyone has those hard to buy for family and friends well this is the place to get gifts for them! Highly recommend checking it out. Family owned and operated and owners were very friendly and helpful! read more

I stopped by here wanting to support local business, and left feeling completely unwelcomed. Not one employee said hi to me or asked if I needed help, while other customers who happened to be Caucasian were greeted as they entered the store or were asked if they needed help. The only employee who spoke to me excused herself to get past me. Interestingly enough, my Caucasian husband who entered this store on the same day without me, was greeted by at least one employee. I am not one who sees "racism" everywhere I go, but the way I felt treated today left me feeling sad and like I didn't belong. read more

Sign of the Bear has everything kitchen, from the practical to the whimsical. It's chock full and you have to be mindful in some of the narrower spaces, but it's worth the fun. I've bought fun aprons, cat dishes, olive wood utensils, bakeware, mini glass measuring cups, popsicle molds and so much more here. Plus it's located right on darling Sonoma Square. Worth a visit, whether to browse or buy. read more

Great service and advice! Bought one beautiful japanese knife at a great price. They also sharpened and restored two of my other knives. They look incredible and I can't wait to take them back to my kitchen! read more

If you have the slightest interest in kitchen gadgetry, cookbooks, tableware, unusual cleaning tools, etc., you will love Sign of the Bear right on the Sonoma square. It's a tad overwhelming, actually, even for a fan of this particular genre such as moi. But it's way more fun and sensory pleasing than a trip to Williams-Sonoma or Sur la Table. Skip, hop, don't stop, get thee to the Sign of the Bear Kitchenware. read more

I always shop at Sign of the Bear when I visit Sonoma. However, as I made my purchase today, the cashier was extremely rude to another employee - right in front of me! I will never shop there again. read more

Do you need an apron that reads "Danger: Men Cooking," a beer cozy with your initial embroidered on it, a Le Cruset 7.25 quart french oven, a french press, and a cookie cutter shaped like an ostrich, but you don't have time to make stops all over town? Oh, wait, that's me. I used to think that Sign of the Bear was a tourist trap: specialty kitchen items that no one really needs for twice what they'd cost somewhere else. But I was wrong. Again. There's no Target in Sonoma, so when you need, say, a pastry bag or a tray for cooking madellines or a strainer, Sign of the Bear has you covered. Sure they have $80 pepper mills and other silly items, but that's what makes me love them more. I like to go to SOTB when all the stuff left on someone's wedding registry sucks and I want to get them something cool and useful. WARNING WINE TASTERS: Sign of the Bear is small. It is filled with lots of expensive glass items. Don't break shit. Oh, and they gift wrap. read more

As someone that enjoys cooking, Sing of the Bear is a great place to shop for kitchen ware. Their goods are well curated and cover a variety of price ranges, tastes and levels of ability/expertise. While they have a lot of products to offer, it doesn't feel overly crowded to me. The displays can be whimsical and fun. I appreciate that the items in stock aren't geared towards just tourists or those that only eat/drink wine and cheese. This is a fully stocked store for residents as well. They offer gift wrapping services, which can be very helpful if one is looking for a last minute gift. I found the staff to be helpful and quite friendly. read more

Even though I'm not much of a kitchen maven, my visit to the historic Sonoma Plaza isn't complete without a visit to the Sign of the Bear. The inventory is packed in and huge, and who knows what you'll find inside. And I usually find something that I can actually use and discover other stuff that I wish I could. read more

Having some time to kill before a cooking class at Ramekins, we decided to walk around town. Being the aspiring baker (me) and chef (him) that we are, we found this little shop on Yelp and wanted to check it out. It has a little bit of everything from fun ktichen gadgets and cute aprons to cookbooks and Le Crueset kitchenware. You are bound to find something that you really don't need but it's so cute/inventive that you'll find a use for it someday. At least that's what happened to me. I ended buying a whole set of decorating tips that I'll probably only use 2 of the 30 that it includes. I don't really need this, but, ahh, what the heck! I'm rarely over on this side of the bridge, so I might as well go all out! You may not be a professional chef/baker, but this place may have all the right tools to inspire you to become one! read more

Lots of kitchen gadgets, obscure stuff, if it's not in here.....well, you get it, right??? Great place to find things that you didn't know you needed read more