Yone SF was not an everyday bead store.
It was an experience.
It’s been over 60 years since Yone Bead opened its doors in North Beach, San Francisco. Its owners, Yone Arashiro and Hermon Baker lived upstairs above the shop, becoming neighborhood fixtures and befriending the likes of Ruth Asawa, Imogen Cunningham and Janice Joplin. They welcomed anyone that needed a place to feel free to express their creativity, and became known as the “gentlemen bead sellers”.
The love of beads is very ancient. About the earliest development in the history of mankind was the use of beads to count, identify, to adorn.
The shop has been packed up and is in storage as the complex process to move the collection into the virtual world continues. Sadly Hermon passed away in 2020 at the grand old age of 97, but his spirit is still deeply felt by his niece and nephew who have taken over day-to-day operations.
Our new name and logo reflect the change in venue and location. The online shop features his antique and vintage collection of beads, jewelry and other treasures, highlighting unique pieces that we have recently rediscovered, and are eager to share with you.
