Rare Device: Beautiful things to hold in your hands
What is Rare Device?
The storefront is filled with lovely, approachably designed items for your home, yourself, and your family. Every object in the store has its own story, and has been chosen because it is either handmade, well-designed, useful, beautiful or all of the above. The aesthetic is modern and whimsical while remaining warm and inviting. Influences range from the natural world to the interaction between humans and things, be it their clothes or what they choose to use in their homes. Many of the wares are locally produced, handmade creations. There are also a wide variety of internationally created items, from such far flung places as Japan, Denmark, Canada, Philippines and France.
Where does the name Rare Device come from?
In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem Kubla Khan, he calls the Pleasure Dome that the ancient Mongol emperor created, “a miracle of rare device”. We hope that the store conveys a sense of pleasure and fantasy when you walk through the doors.
What is the history of the store?
Rena Tom, the founder, is a former jewelry and graphic designer who loves design. She opened Rare Device in Brooklyn in October 2005. Building on the success of that store, Rena partnered with artist Lisa Congdon to open a second Rare Device in San Francisco in October 2007. This larger location allowed them to include a gallery space, with monthly shows by local, national and international designers whose work meshes with the Rare Device aesthetic. Rare Device Brooklyn closed in May 2008 so that Rena and Lisa could focus on growing the flagship store in San Francisco.
Rena and Lisa sold Rare Device to Phurba and Giselle Gyalzen in February 2011, and moved Rare Device to its current location in Divisadero Street in March 2012.
In September 2024, the Gyalzens sold Rare Device to Marine and Benoit Malta.
Meet Our Team
Marine, she/her
Owner + Buyer
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
One of my favorite gifts I've ever given were watercolor paintings that I made for my friends, representing their family members. It was really special to create something personal for them, and I loved seeing their reactions when they received it. Knowing that it holds a special place in their home makes it even more meaningful.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
One of my favorite gifts I've ever received is a necklace with my daughters' names engraved on it. It was given to me as a gift for their birth, and it holds such sentimental value.
Veronica, she/her
Inventory Manager
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
One of my best friends is a lawyer, and she loves joking about how she can't wait to retire. So one day I randomly sent her the cheesiest "This Lawyer is Retired" mug to remind her to never give up on those dreams. She still tells me to this day that it's the best gift I've ever given her and I would have to agree.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
Summer going into sophomore year of college, one of my best friends whittled me a walking stick with my name engraved on the bottom of it. I was feeling particularly blue about summer coming to an end and having to start school again but once she showed up to my house with this random yet beautifully made walking stick all those worries went away. It's my favorite gift because it was so unexpected and so specific to our friendship and I'm never getting rid of it. I hauled that thing from NY so she's coming with me wherever I go forever.
Jenn, she/her
Marketing Specialist
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
Since my mom lived far away, I wrote a bunch of letters to her to open on different occasions throughout the year, marking them with specific dates. That didn't pan out because she got too excited upon receiving them all the day she got them. so much for that idea.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
I got a puppy for my 14th birthday and that was pretty awesome.
Courtney, she/her
Operations Specialist
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
One of the more recent Father's Day gifts I've given my dad! He's not the easiest person to plan a gift for–he always says he has everything he needs and insists that we (my siblings and I) never buy him any gifts. We don't listen, of course. Instead of a physical item though, for Father's Day last year, I took my entire family to an Angels game! We got lucky and it was a good, exciting game with fireworks to end the night. I could tell my dad genuinely had fun and it meant a lot that our family spent that time with him.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
I'm so lucky to have so many great gift-givers in my life–this is so hard! My siblings and a few of my close cousins gifted me a trip to Joshua Tree for my first birthday during the pandemic. I refused to stop talking about (and still do) how I needed to go so they took me for a safe birthday celebration. I loved that gift was something I could share and experience with some of my favorite people. Also, I finally made my way to Joshua Tree and can't wait to go back!
CeeCee, they/them
Sales Associate
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
My brothers & I were trying to decide what to give our mum for her 60th birthday. We thought a photo album of our little branch of the family would be great. So on her birthday after taking her to lunch, I set up my camera & tripod in the sitting room across from a sofa we could all sit on at the same time. During the rest of the afternoon we played cards (a family favourite pass time), drank & took turns sitting with mum on the sofa. I then curated the album to have a section for each sibling, as well as just the kids & all of us together. It was such a fun afternoon & I'm really proud of how it turned out. It looks like a professional coffee table book & contains some of the best smiles I know.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
I went to college in Chicago & cannot recommend it enough. It was some of the best years if my life. When I left to return to London, one of my dear friends made pins that reflected some of our shared experiences & some pretty ridiculous inside jokes. I still laugh whenever I see an image of or hear the name David Hasselhoff, don't ask, lol. It was such a thoughtful gift & meant I could take a little bit of Chicago everywhere with me. I still have them now & love to add a single pin to whatever jacket I'm wearing.
Noa, she/her
Graphic Designer
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
My sister, cousin, and I threw my mom a surprise party for her 50th birthday. It was such a fun way of celebrating her and it was so special to giver her something she wasn't expecting. She is also the ultimate host so it was nice letting her sit back and relax while we took care of everything.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
I got a Dyson vacuum a couple years ago for my birthday. No further explanation needed. It's my most prized possession.
Dave, he/him
Photographer
What is your favorite gift you've ever given?
The gift of travel. Getting to create lasting memories with those close to me.
What is your favorite gift you've ever received?
My wife bought me a fly fishing rod. Every time I'm on the river it reminds me of her. My happy place.
Staff portraits by Dave Medal
Interview by Rhea St. Julien