Currents

I’m so incredibly sad to see this sweet neighborhood shop going away! For nearly 20 years, Aki and Gail have been great neighbors, always kind and engaging. Their store is full of colorful, soothing gifts that encourage you to care for yourself and others, something we could all use more reminding about in today’s tech’d out climate. Their items are beautiful yet affordable. I speak for many long-​time residents in saying that Currents has been one of the last remaining humble treasures on Valencia Street. This is a real neighborhood loss to see them go. If you love Currents, I encourage you to get in there and support them before their final day of business in mid February.

I get lost in this store every single time. It is full of little treasures and trinkets that remind you to live lightly and happily.
I love the selection of hand soaps, essential oils, perfumes, and natural skin care products. Everything smells so wholesome and lovely. I love that they carry so many items with lavender fragrance. Lavender is my favorite!
Lots of Studio Ghibli items hidden around the shop… Totoro steals the hearts of all!
So many absolutely beautiful tea and sake sets. I cannot imagine a better gift than one of these hand made, unique sets. There are many other hand-​made items in this store: jewelry, dinnerware, knives, earrings, bowls, vases, blankets, etc.
This is one of my favorite shops in the neighborhood and one of the perks is the ADORABLE black pup that will be happy to give you a little smooch.

A wonderful little shop for everything cute and homely :). I was first introduced to currents by my boyfriend, who kept buying me adorable and uniquely wrapped little gifts for special ocassions. After insisting several times, my boy friend finally shared the location of this wonderful little store.
Filled with cute house slippers, plushies, jewelry, bath sets, and other home décor, this is the place for unique and thoughtful little gifts for your girlfriend (hint, hint), as well as family and friends. If you’re ever around the Valencia, stop by this little shop. I can’t guarantee that you’ll leave the store with out being consumed by the cuteness though.

I really love this store, its a very special & magical hidden gem conveniently located in a nice and mellow part of the Mission. Anytime I’m in search of something I feel I need, I come here. Sometimes I might spend too much but it’s hard not to! I would recommend this store to anyone in need of a meaningful gift or treasure for themselves or someone special.

At times, it is perfectly acceptable to give a functional gift from Target. Gift cards are always a winner, but impersonal. Same goes for cash. GIrly girls get Sephora & for milestone events, Tiffany & Co is a no-​fail. But there are people and occasions that call for the unique presents that can only be found in a mom-​and-​pop gift shop.
This is where I found books hallowed out with a secret compartment. The recipients can stash away anything that requires safekeeping while looking like they’ve read one of the Classics. It’s a win-​win.
While the lovely cashier was gift wrapping my purchases, I started picking up soaps & journals I just had to have, and as I was making my way up the landing to where the purses hung, she said, «Ms., you’re all set,» snapping me out of my hypnotized state of rabid consumerism. All the trinkets are adorable and just begging to be taken home.
If you come in in the evenings, there’s a large, calm dog that lazes about. He belongs to the owner, who I believe is a local, and who is a hoot to talk to.

I love my neighbors — little shop Currents! If you need to get a present, they are the best choice! So many cool things they carry: cosmetics, scarfs, jewelry, kids’ stuff, organic soaps and bath salts! Everything is very affordable.
The owner is very kind and friendly guy!
Highly recommend this shop!

Need a gift for someone, anyone? Currents has great inspirational gifts for just about everyone. Heck, everyone I know uses soap… lots of pretty and useful things here. Great selection and service.

You had me at the Totoro backpack, Currents.
I love Totoro, obviously, but this store has so many items appropriate for lovers of all types. Tea lovers, t-​shirt lovers, notebook lovers, scarf lovers — the list goes on and on. Plus, last time I was here there was a very sleepy dog hanging out in the front room. This place is a great spot if you need to buy a gift and have no idea what to get. Inspiration!

Super cute little shop. So glad I stopped by. Perfect gifting options for any occasion, even if the occasion is «Friday» or something.

Love, love, love this shop!!! Good job my boyfriend was there to steer me out after a reasonable amount of time otherwise I could have literally spent all afternoon (and all of my money) in there.
Great selection of gifts with some cool, quirky things too. Not just your typical gift choice.
We came out with a super cute cheese board in the shape of a cheese wedge with cheese tools underneath, two cute Russian style nesting dolls (one monkey and one owl) and an awesomely unusual ring for me! Check out my pic — it’s a ring with a bike on it!!! So cool. This basically shows you the diversity of gifts available here!
Price wise, it’s a mix. Some stuff I thought was very reasonable ($ 5 for my ring for example) and other stuff was kind of pricy.
Make sure you stop by to check out the stuff, talk to the super friendly owner and play with his adorable dog!

I created a Unilocal account just so I could write a review about how terrible my experience at this store was. The owner Akira was working at the register while I was testing out the essential oils that were on display and browsing the products. First, I was yelled at for trying an essential oil that was on display near all of the testers because it wasnt specifically labeled «tester». Then I was smelling the different incenses for sale and was yelled at –again– and the owner told me he didn’t want «to lose product» assuming that I was trying to steal from the store. I then replied saying «do you not want my business?» to which the owner responded «no, take your business elsewhere where someone actually wants it.» Before I walked out the door I was told to «f*** off».
That was the worst customer service I have ever experienced, and I felt extremely disrespected. I was almost brought to tears from the experience. I think I was treated this way simply because of how I look or dress, as I was doing nothing wrong and was being very respectful of the space and products. I have lived in the neighborhood for many years and I make it a point to support local businesses, but now I’m never going to give this store any of my money ever again. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS!!!

Currents is a wonderful place to buy a gift. It is my go to spot if I need to pick up a baby gift or house warming present. They have a wide variety of items so I know if I’m in a time crunch, which happens often, I can find something and not arrive to the party empty handed. Thanks for that.

Multi-​colored braided girl is rude, for no reason. Don’t say «whatever» to the customers, especially in front of other people. I was asking you a question about a product and you didn’t know the answer, and as I walked away, you said «whatever» really loudly. Because you didn’t care? Really? No reason to be rude. I would say something about her age, but that would be insulting to people who are young AND professional. I was just trying to spend some money at the store. Last time.

After moving to LA, I realized how good I had it in the Mission with this little gem around the corner from me. Everything is affordable and their selection of toiletries are excellent. Very nice owner, although I’ve only met him twice, and always great customer service.

Wonderful and exotic soaps and easy gift ideas for cheap. They have a chicken purse people; need I say more!
Woop-​Woop chicken purse !!!

Akira has fabulous taste and carries products that pretty much anyone would love to have. You can get gifts for everyone here, and you know they will always be beautifully wrapped. The bath salts/​candles/​eye pillow type ready-​made gift sets are wonderful, as are the scarves, stationery, home wares, jewelry, lotions, potions and more. He has a great selection of baby items as well, for both mommies and babies. I can’t say enough good things about this shop, it’s wares and its owner. If you’re in the Mission, stop by. If you’re not in the Mission, make a special trip to this little gem. You will not be disappointed.

Wonderful neighborhood gem. I love finding small independently owned, well curated shops like this. There is a lot going on in this store; everything from jewelry to soaps, oils, lotions, to scarves, hats, lovely greeting cards, novelty books, baby clothing and toys, and in the backroom, a treasure trove of lovely Japanese bowls, sake sets, tea sets, high quality T-​shirts. Take your time. Look at everything. Twice.
The gift wrapping is amazing; the owner will wrap your purchases in ways that will make you want to give the gift to yourself.
The owner is retiring in three years, so make the most of this time. Valencia Street is rapidly changing and we should appreciate this store while it’s here.

Their lovingly done, BEAUTIFUL complimentary gift wrap deserves 5 stars on its own. And they have so many cute, reasonably-​priced baby gifts — it’s my go-​to place for shower presents.

Oh my, why I never went into this store is beyond me. The store display looks good, but I thought it was just soaps & such. It was more than that.
They have Ugly Dolls:
Chicken Purse — the Japanese guy said it’s their 2^nd best seller. Why I didn’t get one is beyond me, I really want one now.
What’s their #1 best seller?
Many Japanese tea sets in the back.
Cute soaps & other cute things I wish I bought.
I’ll be back! Don’t buy that chicken purse — it’s Mine!

What a beautiful jewel in the Mission on Valencia. I bought several gifts here, some candles, some soap, a wonderful cheese platter w/​knife and a head massager. I love the fact that they do everything possible to purchase sustainable products and make many of the soaps and oils themselves, right on site.
Definitely a great place to go if you need holiday gifts. I bought most of mine here. First time here — but not last time.