The 826 Valencia Pirate Supply Store is a fun and unique shop that combines a playful pirate theme with a good cause. Visitors can explore small drawers filled with interesting and adorable items like eye patches, hooks, pirate hats, and unicorn polish, making it a great spot for gifts and souvenirs. The store often hosts celebrations, such as Talk Like a Parrot Day, and features a tiny four-seat theater with a mesmerizing fish tank where visitors are encouraged not to judge the fish. Friendly staff, like Jade and others at the counter, are happy to help with selections and share stories about the store’s purpose. Beyond the fun, the store serves as a non-profit organization dedicated to helping underserved kids develop writing skills through tutoring and creative programs. The back room offers opportunities for children aged 6-18 to learn and grow, supporting the store’s mission to provide free educational resources. With branches in several neighborhoods and a network of chapters, 826 Valencia operates as a 501(c)(3) organization. Visitors can support this charitable work by shopping or making donations, especially around tax time. Overall, the Pirate Supply Store is a lively place that offers entertainment, community support, and a chance to contribute to a worthy cause.
Hidden gem for dice and unique games — proceeds go to writing workshops for children. Friendly staff.
January 2025
Very aesthetic and interesting but there's nothing very interesting for sale. Lots of funny posters though
November 2023
Went there yesterday, met with a Great girl named Jade that helped me get a small button and inform me about the project behined the store.10/10 would buy an Eye Patch.
Yep, you read that right: There is a Pirate Supply Store in the heart of the Mission! In their words: "We are a ragtag group of miscreants who sell pirate supplies in order to benefit the free programming that happens at our writing-tutoring center at 826 Valencia, and in classrooms all over San Francisco." Cofounded by author David Eggers, the non-profit organization 826 Valencia (which is their address, not coincidentally) teaches writing to teachers and students all over the Bay Area. Chapters of 826 have also been founded in seven other cities around the country. The Pirate Supply Store-if you're still baffled by this, they do indeed sell pirate supplies like hooks and eyepatches-is just one part of the 826 network, with other chapters having similarly quirky stores, such as Brooklyn's Superhero Supply Co., Los Angeles' Time Travel Mart, or Washington, D.C.'s Museum of Unnatural History. The Pirate Supply Store is open every day from noon to 6 p.m.
