Teri’s Creation & Boutique

I found Teri’s Creation & Boutique while walking Filmore yesterday, going a couple blocks south of Geary, near Japan Town. The boutique caught my attention with the wonderful ladies hats in the window: everything from traditional Southern hats to hipsters caps – but what made these different is that they had embroidered beadwork or other decorative design touches that made each of the hipster hats a unique creation. They radiated love, and I had to go in, just to see who was behind this little shop.
The owner, Dorothy, turned out to be a generous and kind woman, full of wisdom and moving stories – not the kind of shopkeeper who traps you there with their tales, but someone who has lived a rich life and understands how to weave that wealth and wisdom into her creations. It turns out that she was the artist behind the hats that attracted me.
She shared with me some of the treasures in her shop that many people might miss, such as antique Victorian photos of African American women showing remarkable beauty, grace, and power. And I found a very handsome hat for my wife’s birthday present.
Dorothy’s hat shop is not the sort of place to go when you want to get the latest trendy thing or if you’re in a hurry. Rather, her shop is a halcyon in the center of San Francisco where you can step out of the hussle and bussle of the city and into a unique hat boutique filled with real culture, not just mass-​media trends. Her boutique is a unique piece of American culture that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re visiting San Francisco as a tourist, but are feeling disappointed because the shopping all looks like the same thing you’d find in European cities, you’ve got to check out Teri’s.
Even if you don’t buy anything, Next time you’re around Japan Town, I encourage you to drop in, have a peek, and say hi to Dorothy. My guess is if you don’t leave her boutique with a hat, you’ll at least leave with a smile.