For newly transplanted San Franciscan Jessica Ann, her new gift shop on Union Street in Cow Hollow isn’t just a shop. It’s a tribute to her ancestors – especially her devoted grandmother.
Nikoniko Gifts, the all-Asian handicraft store that highlights merchandise from across the continent’s diaspora, pays homage to Ann’s Korean and Japanese heritage. The name means “smiley” in Japanese, and the brick-and-mortar’s logo and signage spell it in Japanese and Korean letters to honor both halves of their family tree.
Nikoniko Gift Shop Owner Jessica Ann | Christina Campodonico/The Standard
Nikoniko is also a reminder of the wise advice of Ann’s maternal grandmother, a determined businesswoman who single-handedly raised her from the age of nine months until her death shortly after Ann turned 18.
“One of the things that kind of resonated was that my grandma used to say, ‘Do what makes you happy,'” Ann said. “And when I think of things I like, I smile. You know, of course we smile. And so I wanted everyone who walks in here to find some kind of happiness, even if it’s just for a moment.”
From incense to traditional teas, Nikiniko sells a range of gifts designed and made by Asian artisans. | Christina Campodonico/The Standard
Notable for its selection of Asian-branded goods and artisans from around the world, the store has plenty to smile about, from greeting cards featuring imaginative French frogs crafted by an Asian designer in London to rare shaped Japanese knives of whales.
“Whether you’re Asian and live in London or Asian and live in France, there’s a story behind it,” Ann said as she guided The Standard around the store.
Asian homewares take center stage at Nikoniko. | Christina Campodonico/The Standard
The store’s intention is to fill a gap or “blank space” in the Asian goods market, she said. From Chinatown to Japantown, San Francisco has many shops that celebrate the craftsmanship and creativity of Asian artisans, but Ann — who grew up in Los Angeles’ Koreatown — hasn’t seen many shops since that brought all of those rich cultural traditions together in one place to San Francisco last year.
“Even if I look at the stores in LA or here, there isn’t enough representation for Asian artisans or designers or creators,” Ann said. “I haven’t seen many integrated, mixed Asian representations in gift shops.”
An exhibition of accessories and books made by Asian artisans and creatives | Christina Campodonico/The Standard
So soon after quitting her job as a toy designer for a startup earlier this year, Ann founded Nikoniko, secured a lease and opened a shop in just five weeks. The store celebrated its grand opening earlier this month and plans to sell a range of gift sets in the run-up to Mother’s Day, which can be wrapped in beautiful silky Japanese- or Korean-style wrappers.
As a further tribute to Ann’s dual lineage, the shop offers a unique gift wrapping service that combines Japanese Furoshiki and Korean Bojagi gift wrapping techniques. Whether you’re buying something for your mom from the store or elsewhere, you can buy a box and reusable fabric from Nikoniko and the store will wrap the item for you. The fabric can be reused as a scarf, table centerpiece or wall art, adding to the gift’s sustainability and sentimentality, Ann said.
Nikoniko is a new small business on Cow Hollow’s Union Street. | Christina Campodonico/The Standard
She wanted to share these traditional gift-wrapping techniques so she could put a loving touch on the products she shares with her shop’s customers – just like her enterprising grandmother taught her.
“The way I speak to customers when they come in, the way I treat them, the hospitality, her attitude towards it all, I learned that from her,” Ann said of her grandmother. “So it’s a tribute to her.”
📍2181 Union Street, SF
@nikoniko_gifts
Christina Campodonico can be reached at [email protected]
