THE STORY
Located in Presidio Heights, The Bar Code is a revolving retail store and event space. We contract short-term leases for national and international designers, retailers, artists, and more. We provide everything you need to sell your product in an exquisite space in San Francisco’s most elite shopping neighborhood.
In 2009, The Bar Code came to life as a shopping rave on SF’s waterfront in a temporary 10,000 square foot space, bringing together live art, fashion shows, screen printing, new and vintage clothing, live music, specialty cocktails, furniture and the best San Francisco retailers and California designers into Pier 3. It was hit and the perfect opportunity to help those needing to purge their sales racks in order to stay afloat after the recession’s financial downturn. SF met TBC with open arms, turning sale racks into capital for struggling small businesses.
Today, The Bar Code has reinvented itself as a turn-key storefront where one can display their collections in a captivating shared space. TBC hosts brands in multiple categories: couture, ready-to-wear fashion and accessories, bridal, footwear, jewelry, home decor, wellness, skincare, + spirits - the list is as creative as your brand identity.
The Bar Code’s priority is to increase brand awareness and assist in driving new and repeat business. To accomplish these goals, we pursue exposure of the brand through media, and influencer relations with strategic outreach and placement. We can help build buzz for the brand by ideating and executing events for targeted media, influencers and cross marketing partnerships including dedicated launch parties, appointment only, meet & greets, charity shopping events, and cocktail parties.
We can connect and advise on a communications plan for your brand incorporating all or a combination of the services and introductions to support your pop-up pre-launch.
We are the Code and we help you set the Bar.
About danielle lawless bourhis - owner/ founder
Barbara Danielle Lawless Bourhis founded the first incarnation of The Bar Code in 2009. She is the principal of the company throughout its growth. As the Bar Code expands from San Francisco to around the world, Danielle has the team effort of Jenna & Karmin, and all engaging and marketing partners.
From Brittany, France, Danielle’s grandparents have influenced old stone and mortar to bring vision to her store Brown Eyed Girl in 1999. Growing into 2004 Danielle brought romance and heart into the bridal market with And Something Blue.
“I am humbled by my predecessors who are lawyers, judges and deans, this business was built on the values of social justice which is in my DNA. This passion has been passed down for generations and now is embedded into our bar codes with the designers and events we choose.”
For the socially engaged shopper The Bar Code is your closet. Follow us as we host international designers, retailers, artists, innovators and more, through The Bar Code, we are merging merchant and activism as one.
When meeting Danielle inquire about the pop up space. She will surely talk to you about your favorite designers, interiors, musicians and travel destinations. After all, pop up culture is where fashion meets history.
About Jenna THOMPSON Smith -stylist+ pop up CONSULTANT
Jenna Thompson Smith joined the Bar Code in 2023 as a design, stylist and pop-up consultant.
Born and raised on O’ahu, Jenna has always had an unshakeable appreciation for genuine beauty. From interning for an interior design firm at 16, to starting a vintage resale business in college, to working at art galleries and nonprofits in San Francisco, her passion lies in the places where art, fashion and culture intersect.
As an honors graduate of the University of San Francisco’s Communications and Museum Studies programs (with focuses in Public Relations and Art History), she offers practicality and innovation in equal measure. She loves to make a brand’s vision come to life. From window displays and creative merchandising, to curated events and marketing campaigns, her drive to see dreams transformed into physical realities touches everything. She believes in the vital importance of the stories told through art and design – that it is the most essential expression of what it means to be human, and that which most firmly connects us all. More than anything, she believes in the magic of San Francisco, and is so happy to bring beauty and connection to its heart.
Raised by the waves, she finds her peace and contemplation at the beach. If she’s not braving SF’s frigid waters, you can find her (or rather, have a hard time finding her) out in the Santa Cruz mountains. Her love of vintage coats and shoes could be considered pathological, but she swears it’s practically a meditation practice.
Jenna is available to all pop-up clients to assist with every aspect of set up, coordination and closing.
About karmin Brown - Digital MediA + Marketing Intern
Karmin Brown joined The Bar Code in 2021 as a social media and marketing intern.
Born and raised a Northern California girl, Karmin developed a love for all things relating to fashion as a child. In high school, Karmin joined Nordstrom’s Fashion Ambassador Program. Through this opportunity, Karmin learned first-hand how the fashion industry works, from the top-down.
Currently, Karmin is a division 1 athlete, playing beach volleyball at Saint Mary’s College of California. Karmin has been playing sports her entire life, and it has become an integral part of her identity. At Saint Mary’s College, she is a business administration major with a double concentration in marketing and digital media. After the completion of her undergraduate degree she plans on receiving her professional MBA. in 2022, Karmin was awarded to the WCC all-academic team.
Karmin is incredibly inspired by her mom who was the first person in her family to attend college and receive her masters degree, which she plans to complete just as her mom did.
Outside of athletics and academics Karmin has a passion for sustainable fashion and interior design. Shopping second hand and from ethical companies while limiting her carbon footprint to a minimum is incredibly important to her. Beyond the fashion world, she loves to spend her free time going to yoga classes. She especially enjoys the sculpt classes that her studio offers.
While working at The Bar Code, Karmin brings the perspective of the millennial and Generation Z to the table, connecting the real world to the fashion world.
Community
Separately and together, Danielle her colleagues, and pop up partners, have assisted with raising funds through strategic partnerships, events for charitable & non-profit organizations such as Planned Parenthood, California Fire Foundation, Dress for Success, The Princess Project, Value Culture, Global Green, Muttville, Glide Memorial, Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, Nancy’s list, The Cancer Journey Institute, The Pink Fund, and BCRF…