This Must Be The Space is back. This time, we’ve landed in California’s fog-coated gem, San Francisco, to look at one of Sofar’s favorite hidden warehouse spaces, The Sports Basement.
The locally owned sports retail establishment has a few locations throughout the Bay Area, but its flagship sits on the north side in Presidio beside a wide marsh, overlooking the iconic Golden Gate Bridge stretched toward Sausalito. But that’s not all you’ll see there– you’ll also catch groups of cyclists or running clubs meeting in front of The Sports Basement, about to head out for a long ride or jog across the bridge. The space is a community hub, which remains a top priority. “We’re not just brick and mortar retail,” said Ian Ballentine, the Director of Marketing for The Sports Basement. “A lot of our backbone is supporting local nonprofits, schools, [and] community partners.” Ian’s always on the lookout for ways to engage the local community, including bringing live events into the space. So when he came across Sofar, it felt like a perfect fit.
The Presidio store itself is an expansive warehouse– in fact, the space used to be an old military commissary. “We’ve kept a lot of that charm inside [where] you’ll see old commissary signs throughout the store,” Ian said. Sofar takes place in a community designated space called “The Dairy,” which used to be the actual dairy in the commissary. Tucked deep in the store, people are often surprised to find the wide-open room lined with palettes, strings of colorful lights, and second-hand couches and chairs to lounge in. And then of course, there’s the surprise of the music itself. Sofars often happen in the afternoon hours, which makes it fun for everyone, including unsuspecting shoppers in the next room. “For us, it creates a very cool vibe,” Ian said. “You can hear [the music] in neighboring departments, so people who are shopping in shoes or team sports are like, ‘what’s going on in there? Who is this? How can I get involved?’ And it turns into a much larger conversation.”
“The Dairy” at The Sports Basement Presidio, photo by SB Staff
The Presidio store has hosted multiple Sofars, but a standout moment was an evening Sofar alum Rozzi played. The LA-based artist is originally from San Francisco, and between songs talked about growing up near the store and how great it was to be back. “It was really touching for our staff involved,” Ian said. “That’s what you want to hear, and that’s what keeps us thriving– people sharing their experiences.”
Keep an eye out for Sofars up in the north neck of the San Francisco woods and you might catch a show at The Sports Basement– and who knows, maybe a bike ride with new friends afterward.
Photo credit: The Sports Basement, photo by SB Staff
