SFOG carries locally designed and printed apparel, merchandise that was first created in a Sunset garage
An assortment of locally designed merchandise honoring San Francisco neighborhoods and landmarks lines the walls of SFOG, a North Beach clothing store also serving as an art studio, community hub and custom screen-printing shop.
For 20 years, San Francisco natives and entrepreneurs Barry Tickler and Alfredo Arana have sold their locally made shirts, hoodies, hats, canvas artworks and sweatshirts, having begun their journey inside a Sunset-district garage. Their successful North Beach storefront, however, has become a neighborhood staple in the past four years — not only as a spot to purchase artisanal merchandise, but also as a space for residents to gather and celebrate Bay Area artists. Tickler and Arana worked out of a store on a corner at 25th Avenue and Irving Street for nine years following two years in that Sunset garage. Tickler said the pair would initially go to a friend who owned screen-printing equipment and ask if he could make their designs, but on the friend’s advice, they purchased their own device. “We weren’t expecting much, but once we started to wear our shirts out in public, it was obvious that people were digging what we were doing,” Tickler said. SFOG now makes stickers, embroiders baseball caps and can print designs on items like banners, canvases, lighters and even golf balls, among other services. The inspiration for the San Francisco-specific designs “comes simply from growing up” in The City, Tickler said, and the shop is focused on keeping the area’s “incredible history alive.” To that end, their artwork commemorates establishments such as the Doggie Diner fast-food chain, the Playland amusement park’s fun house, Candlestick Park, and the Lusty Lady Theatre, which was home to the country’s first unionized and employee-owned adult-entertainment club on Kearny Street. Since moving to North Beach in 2022, after stints in Potrero Hill and San Mateo, Tickler said his partners have “felt right at home” at 1314 Grant Ave. Within a year of SFOG opening on the block, it was joined by newcomers such as The Fish Tank Gallery, the North Beach Pipeline Dispensary and the Legacy North Beach Bar. Pipeline Dispensary CEO Jesse Henry, who also grew up with Tickler and Arana, said their business has become “a cultural force that represents The City and contributes to the character of one of San Francisco’s most authentic neighborhoods.” SFOG has found ways to celebrate the community beyond merchandise by opening up the space to arts events. The store, for instance, participates in North Beach First Friday, a self-guided art crawl. Each month, up to 20 businesses turn into pop-up galleries filled with art, poetry, photography and music. Tickler said SFOG features shows by a new artist or photographer each month, while also hosting launch parties for the pop-up exhibitions with cocktails and live DJ sets. Ex // Top Stories Block’s massive cuts stoke fears about AI’s effects on employment The financial-services company formerly known as Square is cutting 40% of its staff, saying fewer workers can get more done with AI tools Locally educated opera singer living dream, returning home San Franciscan soprano Emilie Kealani is one of only 28 artists, out of more than 1,500 applicants, accepted to The City's prestigious Merola Opera Program Steyer revives effort to end Prop. 13’s commercial protections Saying it’s costing the state billions of dollars, the gubernatorial candidate is calling for an end to what he’s calling the ‘Trump tax loophole’SFOG also hosts two annual celebrations each year — an April 15 party commemorating The City’s 415 area code and a Christmas celebration. Tickler said both occasions typically feature performances by local hip-hop artists, adding that the community “has truly embraced our brand over the years.” Television screens in the shop play music videos of artists wearing SFOG’s apparel in their productions, Tickler said, while also promoting other nearby businesses and artists. Supervisor Danny Sauter, whose district includes the neighborhood, said SFOG has “brought incredible energy to Grant Avenue.” Sauter said Tickler and his team have made the store feel “less like a shop and more like a hangout spot with friends and neighbors.”Neighboring North Beach Legacy Bar owner Josh Fernandez said, as a native San Franciscan, he is “proud” of SFOG’s story. He grew up with Tickler and Arana and said he would seek out their products “even if I didn’t know them.” Tickler said working on SFOG has allowed him to connect with people from his past and other residents who share a similar love for “the greatest city in the world.” “Being able to put our little stamp on The City has been amazing and humbling,” Tickler said. “We want to give SF the best we have to offer.”
North Beach Sunset Potrero Hill Grant Avenue
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