As promised, there's now a vintage shop in the front section of the Red Victorian at 1665 Haight. Sunchild's Parlour is officially open for business this week, leading up to a grand opening party this Saturday night.
We stopped in to chat with owner and operator Michael Latronica about the new space and what's expected during their grand opening fete.
Latronica has a long background in design, including the building and creation of the Blue Studio in the Mission District in 2003 and the redesign of both the former convent and rectory buildings of the Church of the Sacred Heart in the Lower Haight, now known as The Center SF. He happened to be at the Red Vic one day while they were having a meeting about what to do with the space, and the idea for Sunchild's Parlour was born.
"My true passion is interior design and staging," he told us. His touch is evident in the design of the space, which feels like a succession of tiny sitting areas with an eclectic mix of furniture, vintage and designer clothes and jewelry, contemporary and vintage art, and knickknacks of all kinds.
Latronica sources his furniture at various estate sales and flea markets, and repairs it himself. He likes to fix things. "I got my start with my grandfather when he retired, and I kind of picked it up after him," Latronica told Hoodline.
The non-furniture items are largely sourced through Latronica's friends and local artists and designers like This Glorious Bear, Root Flute’s Dan Hansen Jewelry, and Idis Designs. One notable clothing line the shop carries is Totally Blown, which is made by a couple in Joshua Tree that distresses each piece of clothing using a shotgun.
Even the music is locally sourced: Latronica told us he was particularly enamored of a Haight Street musician he happened to hear, and stationed the musician outside the entrance, strumming away. "It really brings people in," Latronica said.
Local musicians will also be on hand during Saturday night's grand opening party, from 6-10pm. You can expect drinks, community, and a celebration of the new shop and Latronica's hard work.
The pop-up is set to last through September 15, at which point the Red Vic and Latronica will decide wether to keep it going another six months.
