The Shopkeep Gift Guide With Jonathan Rachman

This holiday season instead of doing a traditional gift guide, I’ve reached out to my favorite local shop owners to learn what they recommend giving. The retailers stock their respective stores with gorgeous clothing, covetable home goods, sensational spirits, and delicious eats, so naturally they have a knack for selecting the perfect gift. I came up with a list of 10 quintessential SF personalities, from the gentleman farmer to the Color Factory girl, and asked the curator what they would give each unique type. Now through Christmas, I’ll be sharing their gift guides.

Interior designer and home goods boutique owner, Jonathan Rachman, isn’t just a man about town—he is a man about the globe. Although Rachman lives in San Francisco and can be spotted at Zuni Cafe (it’s right across the street from his shop) any night of the month, the stylish gentleman has projects all over the world. Ten days ago he was in London and he frequently makes trips to his native Bali. Naturally the big ticket item on his wishlist involves travel. This holiday season Rachman is asking Santa for a nine-country 21-night expedition on the Aman private jet with stays at Aman resorts in each country. “A gurrrl or a lad can dream,” he says. We asked him to share what he would give locals. Here, in his own words, is Rachman’s guide to gifting in SF.

The Lady Who Launched: The lady who launched, does not need anything, just like the ladies who lunch, but I would give a donation on her behalf to my favorite charity in Bali, Puspadi Bali. It is a disability rehabilitation, education, training and empowerment organization which is committed to working with people with disabilities in Bali and Eastern Indonesia. Established, in 1999, Puspadi Bali strives towards an inclusive society in which people with disabilities are treated equally and provided with the same opportunities as others.

The Hoodied Tech Bro: A J.Rachman leather ipad case ($495).

The Fabulous Couple: A few three-litter bottles of the 2011 Caldwell Gold Cabernet Sauvignon ($980). Be sure to wrap it individually and seal it with a gold wax with your initial or family crest.

The Cool Mom: Vintage jewelry from MDVII (Chanel earrings $875). Call Susie Hoimes for a consultation.

The Wine Country Escapists: Alexis Traina’s new book: From Napa With Love ($17).

The Budding Mixologist: Trader Vic’s Bartender’s Guide ($60) a vintage one if possible.

The Restaurant Hound: A gift certificate to Zuni’s.

The Gentleman Farmer: Take him to the Cable Car Clothiers yourself and buy him a hat ($425) or a coat from there, on the spot.  The manager Ed Benney will happily help you personally—their old-school style and service are still my fave in the city.

The Interior Aesthete: One of a kind found object from J. Rachman—a bust ($165), a Balinese tray or an original bar which used to belong to Lauren Bacall.

The Color Factory Girl: de Gournay custom wall paper [pictured above in a room designed by Rachman at the 2017 SF Decorator Showcase], customized to her preferred color and pattern.

Check out the other gift guides in this series! 

Lost Coast Outfitters’ George Revel
Found by Maja’s Maja Lithander Smith
Convert’s Randy Brewer
Jay Jeffers and Michael Purdy of Jay Jeffers The Store
Hero Shop’s Emily Holt
Bi-Rite market’s Liz Martinez
St. Frank’s Christina Bryant