The Bar Code Sf
The Bar Code SF is a revolving retail showroom and event space in San Francisco's Presidio Heights, offering short-term pop-up leases to fashion, accessories, and lifestyle brands alongside PR and event services. Founded in 2009, it has hosted over 100 brands since opening its permanent showroom in 2018.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Bar Code Sf does
The Bar Code SF is a revolving retail showroom and event space located at 3600 Sacramento Street in Presidio Heights, San Francisco. Founded in 2009 by Barbara Danielle Lawless Bourhis and operating from its permanent Presidio Heights location since October 2018, the business offers short-term pop-up leases of its 1,100 sq ft renovated showroom to national and international fashion, accessories, bridal, footwear, jewelry, home decor, beauty, and spirits brands. Three core rental formats are offered: full single-brand showroom rental (one-week minimum, described as the most popular option), curated retail collectives accommodating up to three brands plus one accessory brand with category exclusivity, and lower-commitment trunk show rack or cubicle rentals within an existing retail environment.
The underlying technology is limited and operational rather than proprietary: vendors are provided mobile point-of-sale / mobile checkout technology to facilitate transactions during pop-up events, and the company maintains a website, an email newsletter signup, and an Instagram presence to drive awareness. The core "platform" is physical real estate plus curated brand selection and an owned marketing asset of 12,000+ SF Bay Area shopper email contacts aged 24-70.
Revenue is generated through day-rate showroom rental fees (with reduced daily rates for longer engagements), a percentage of vendor daily sales (offered as a hybrid option for startup and emerging designers, with a one-week minimum), and add-on PR and marketing services including earned media outreach, influencer relations, social media mentions, and event execution such as launch parties, meet-and-greets, and charity shopping events. Vendor outcomes cited average $15,000-$25,000 in daily sales for short-term pop-ups paired with hired San Francisco PR, and 100+ brands have used the space since 2018, including Matchesfashion.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim, ba&sh, Galvan London, Andrew Gn, Maison Ullens, Malia Mills, and others. The company is privately held, founder-owned, and operates with a small core team of three (Owner/Founder, Stylist/Pop-Up Consultant, Digital Media Intern) plus preferred local service partners.
The Bar Code Sf firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Bar Code Sf
- Legal name
- The Bar Code Sf
- Website
- https://thebarcodesf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Bar Code SF is a revolving retail showroom and event space in San Francisco's Presidio Heights, offering short-term pop-up leases to fashion, accessories, and lifestyle brands alongside PR and event services. Founded in 2009, it has hosted over 100 brands since opening its permanent showroom in 2018.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Bar Code Sf industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pop-up Retail Space Rental
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Event Rentals (Furniture, Staging, Tents) (HSACADAI)
Keywords
Where The Bar Code Sf is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Bar Code Sf business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Showroom and Floor Space Rental: The Bar Code generates revenue primarily through renting out their 1100 sq ft renovated showroom to fashion designers, retailers, and artists for short-term pop-up events. They offer flexible lease options including full showroom rental, curated retail collective spaces (double bays, tables, gallery space, VIP room), rack space/cubicle trunk shows, and partial space rentals. Pricing varies based on rental duration with longer stays receiving lower daily rates.
- Percentage of Daily Sales: Vendors pay a percentage of their daily sales to The Bar Code as part of the rental arrangement. This can be combined with reduced base rates for startup designers and artists, providing an economically accessible way to enter the high-end San Francisco market.
- PR and Marketing Services: The Bar Code offers public relations services to develop and execute strategic communications and consumer marketing initiatives for vendors, including earned media coverage, social media mentions, influencer relations, and event execution (launch parties, meet & greets, charity shopping events, cocktail parties).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Day Rate (Variable by Agreement Length) |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Startup Designer Rate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Bar Code Sf product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Bar Code SF rents a 1,100 sq ft renovated showroom in Presidio Heights, San Francisco to fashion designers, retailers, and artists for short-term pop-up events under three formats: full showroom rental, curated retail collective (up to 3 brands plus 1 accessory brand sharing space), and trunk show rack/cubicle space. The space is turn-key, requiring no tenant improvements, no long-term lease, and no day-to-day operations from the vendor. The company also provides PR, influencer relations, promotional marketing through its 12,000+ subscriber email list, and access to preferred local vendors (florists, photographers, caterers) to support vendor events.
Product overview
The Bar Code SF is a revolving retail store and event space located in San Francisco's Presidio Heights. Rather than a traditional SaaS platform, it operates as a physical retail infrastructure business offering short-term showroom rentals and pop-up space options to fashion and lifestyle brands. The core offering consists of three rental models: Curated Retail Collective (shared multi-brand spaces), Single Pop-Up (full showroom rental), and Trunk Show (rack/cubicle space). The business supplements these with PR services, promotional marketing through its 12,000+ subscriber email list and social media presence, and connections to local vendor partners. Brands span multiple categories including couture, ready-to-wear fashion, accessories, vintage, bridal, footwear, jewelry, home decor, beauty, and spirits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pop-Up Showroom Space Rental Short-term rental of a turn-key 1,100 sq ft renovated showroom in Presidio Heights, San Francisco, for fashion designers, retailers, and artists; includes modern minimalist aesthetic, three double bays with shelving, and a downstairs VIP room, with one week minimum rental.
- Curated Retail Collective Shared multi-vendor pop-up space accommodating up to 3 brands plus 1 accessory brand across full double bays, large tables for accessories, gallery space for artwork, and the downstairs VIP room, with one designer per category to avoid direct competition.
- Single Pop-Up Rental Exclusive rental of the entire 1,100 sq ft showroom for a single brand's private pop-up event; described by the company as the most popular option.
- Trunk Show Rack / Cubicle Space Lower-commitment rental of rack or cubicle space within The Bar Code's existing retail environment, allowing vendors to join an active store and access the established customer base without a full showroom rental.
- Public Relations and Events Services Strategic communications and consumer marketing services for vendors, including earned media outreach, social media mentions, influencer relations, and event execution such as launch parties, meet & greets, charity shopping events, and cocktail parties.
- Promotion and Marketing Services Vendor event promotion through The Bar Code's website, Instagram, and email list of 12,000+ SF Bay Area local shoppers aged 24-70, including notable individuals, media contacts, and local brides.
- Local Vendor Partner Network Curated introductions to preferred local florists, photographers, and caterers to enhance vendor pop-up experiences with comprehensive event support.
Quantifiable outcome
- $15,000-$25,000 average daily sales for short-term prior pop-ups with hired SF PR
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Bar Code Sf
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Bar Code Sf technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Bar Code Sf partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.
- Malia MillsflagshipMalia Mills is featured in a year-long residency (December 2024 - December 2025) at The Bar Code SF showroom. Known for pioneering lingerie sizing in swimwear and the 'House of Hell Yes' philosophy, Malia Mills will host multiple complementary trunk shows throughout the year. This represents a flagship partnership showcasing The Bar Code's ability to host extended designer residencies.
- Preferred Vendor Partners (Florists, Photographers, Caterers)minorThe Bar Code maintains a list of preferred local vendor partners including florists, photographers, and caterers to help enhance vendor pop-up events. These partnerships enable comprehensive event support but are operational in nature rather than strategic.
- Re/make WorldminorFeatured pop-up partner for sustainability-focused initiatives. The Re/make World pop-up (November 11-18, 2024) aligns with The Bar Code's commitment to socially engaged shopping and sustainable fashion.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Bar Code Sf competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Showfields: NYC-based rotating retail concept store featuring rotating brand activations and immersive experiences. Directly comparable as a multi-brand rotating retail concept targeting fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands in a single curated physical space.
- Appear Here: UK-founded global marketplace connecting brands with short-term retail spaces worldwide. Comparable as a pop-up space provider targeting fashion and lifestyle brands seeking flexible, low-commitment market entry into premium locations.
- American Rag Cie: LA-based multi-brand fashion retailer with rotating designer offerings spanning contemporary and luxury categories. Comparable curatorial approach to multi-brand fashion retail and operator of physical showrooms hosting multiple brands simultaneously.
- The New Mart: LA wholesale fashion showroom building hosting multiple designer showrooms that serve retail buyers and consumers. Comparable as a multi-brand fashion venue provider enabling multiple brands to access retail customers under one roof.
- The Apartment by The Line: NYC invite-only multi-brand luxury showroom featuring curated designer collections. Comparable curatorial model of presenting multiple premium brands in a single high-end physical space with strong PR and editorial positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Spring Studios: NYC event and production studio space hosting fashion brand activations, presentations, press days, and media events. Comparable venue-based services for fashion brands seeking physical event infrastructure in a premium market.
- Forty Five Ten: Dallas-based multi-brand luxury retailer featuring rotating designer collections across fashion, home, and beauty. Broader scale and longer operating history but comparable curated multi-brand luxury retail model in a single destination.
Emerging players
- Lisa Says Gah: SF-based multi-brand fashion concept featuring curated independent and emerging designers. Emerging player in the SF Bay Area with similar curatorial approach to independent designer retail and shared target demographic.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Bar Code Sf social profiles
Digital presenceThe Bar Code Sf financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Bar Code Sf leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Bar Code Sf funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Bar Code Sf M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Bar Code Sf
What does The Bar Code Sf do?
The Bar Code SF rents a 1,100 sq ft renovated showroom in Presidio Heights, San Francisco to fashion designers, retailers, and artists for short-term pop-up events under three formats: full showroom rental, curated retail collective (up to 3 brands plus 1 accessory brand sharing space), and trunk show rack/cubicle space. The space is turn-key, requiring no tenant improvements, no long-term lease, and no day-to-day operations from the vendor. The company also provides PR, influencer relations, promotional marketing through its 12,000+ subscriber email list, and access to preferred local vendors (florists, photographers, caterers) to support vendor events.
Is The Bar Code Sf a public or private company?
The Bar Code Sf is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Bar Code Sf founded?
The Bar Code Sf was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Bar Code Sf based?
The Bar Code Sf is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Bar Code Sf make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Showroom and Floor Space Rental is the primary driver. The others are percentage of Daily Sales and PR and Marketing Services.
Who are The Bar Code Sf's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Showfields, Appear Here, American Rag Cie, The New Mart and The Apartment by The Line. Broad incumbents are Spring Studios and Forty Five Ten. Lisa Says Gah is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Bar Code Sf have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Bar Code Sf.
What industry is The Bar Code Sf in?
The Bar Code Sf's product category is Pop-up Retail Space Rental. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACADAI, Corporate Event Rentals (Furniture, Staging, Tents).