Paxton Gate

Paxton Gate was founded in December of 1992 by two landscape designers whose inspiration came from a fascination with the natural world. In its original incarnation, Paxton Gate was an eccentric gardening store with a hint of the natural sciences – a forum in which to present not only interesting and unique gardening merchandise but to feature items inspired by the garden and the natural world. But soon after its inception, a predilection for the more bizarre side of nature became apparent, and oddities such as the insects and taxidermy began to creep onto the scene.

After almost seven years in business at an out-of-the-way location on Stevenson Street in San Francisco, Paxton Gate moved to its current, much larger location. The move, primarily instigated by a need for more space, afforded room to branch out into new areas including tea and tea supplies, vintage and antique architectural elements, jewelry and a growing selection of books, all of which adhere to a common aesthetic and style which Paxton Gate describes as "treasures and oddities inspired by the garden and the natural sciences".

December 2008 saw the birth of Paxton Gate's Curiosities for Kids, down the street at 766 Valencia. The new iteration expands the store's supply of oddities to include toys, clothing, and natural science products that are sure to excite the imagination of the young and old. There is also a weekly story time and periodic events including craft making and visits with live reptiles.