826 Valencia, aka. The Pirate Store

826 Valencia, also known as the pirate supply store is one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood. It is a writing workshop and tutorial center for youth that was started by the author Dave Eggers and is also the home of the publishing house, McSweeney’s.

In addition to offering incredible writing workshops for kids and adults, they also sell lard, eye patches, mops, shackles, and my friend Sasha’s very beautiful (and tiny) book entitled Your New Glass Eye which is now in its second {limited} edition. Go Squash!

Pirate store window, Canon Digital Rebel

and just down the street…

Ripley, Canon Digital Rebel

And this is Ripley, the hairless Sphinx. She lives at the science fiction bookstore on Valencia St. only doors away from the pirate store. Go visit her! She is very friendly and sweet despite her sinister eyebrow configuration.

I love San Francisco.

Hi, I’m Andrea

On this blog you’ll be learning with me how to use our voices, share our creative superpowers and live life in full color.

As an artist, photographer, life coach + mentor, I’m redefining what it means to be a SUPERHERO — ‘cause in my world, it’s got nothing to do with capes, spandex or sidekicks and everything to do with tenderness, intuition & baby steps of bravery.

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23 Comments

Sunshine(kvb) on February 24, 2005 at 3:48 PM

Wow! Her eyes are mesmerizing! I wouldn’t be allergic to a hairless Sphinx. Hmmm.
My dog Bailey was getting harrassed by the neighborhood cats today…I don’t know what she would do if she came face to face with Ripley.
Donavan on February 24, 2005 at 5:10 PM

I’m loving your SF pics.
Been thinking of moving from LA, need better public transport, more city life, art, etc…
Considering New York but San Fran might be a nice split of the difference…
Plus I would get to be near some of my favorite Muppets and Superheroes… 😉
emily on February 24, 2005 at 6:08 PM

the pirate store kicks about 30 kinds of ass. 🙂 i miss our fun filled san fran adventure!!!
xoxoxo
eMiLy
Jen on February 24, 2005 at 7:57 PM

Oh My God – I thought the cat was a statue!! What a great looking cat.
I really love the pictures of the red doors and the gold doorknobs. Beautiful!! It makes me want to paint furniture in that color and add gold knobs.
Wendy on February 24, 2005 at 8:41 PM

OHMYGOSH! Pirates! Glass eyes! AND Naked cats! I want to move to San Francisco!
I love love love your journal and my beautiful contessa.
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Anonymous on February 24, 2005 at 9:47 PM

I have been reading about this Pirate Store for quite some time…. desperately want to see it with my own eyes! Maybe I could at last meet the infamous Super Andrea there sometime 😉 .
-Heather Espa?a
Joy on February 25, 2005 at 6:29 AM

Did I read correctly? They sell ‘lard’? Lard as in animal fat?
-Joy
former San Franciscan who feels nostalgic reading your journal
P. Melissa on February 25, 2005 at 7:51 AM

My littlest daughter would love that pirate shop! She has dressed like a pirate on a weekly basis since she was two years old (she’s seven now). http://www.garywill.com/pioneermelissa/images/kpirate_200.JPG
==
That cat is amazing.
Ann Benoit on February 25, 2005 at 7:59 AM

andrea, your juicy descriptions of san francisco make me want to hop on a plane and come hang out at the pirate store!
katie on February 25, 2005 at 8:00 AM

andrea, I’m loving your san francisco stories and photos! I’m going there as part of my honeymoon this summer, and you’re giving me all kinds of ideas for places to go. thanks for sharing!
Milly on February 25, 2005 at 9:32 AM

I’ve never been to San Francisco, but now I want to go. Lots of interesting places. Thanks for sharing.
James on February 25, 2005 at 11:09 AM

One of my prized possessions, the painting I have of you, has a face like that. hee hee..
kathryn on February 25, 2005 at 11:33 AM

i have a sphynx too! they are the most magical little beings.
Lucky on February 25, 2005 at 2:22 PM

stumbled across your site…i dig it.
i break for pirates too 😉
Meaghan on February 25, 2005 at 4:48 PM

Too funny… one of my past students works at that pirate store. I remember her telling us about it and everyone thinking it was pretty comical that there was an entire store devoted to pirate periphenalia! Your post is the second one I’ve seen in the last 2 weeks that referenced the store… the world must be speaking to me!

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