Ellie & Eva Company

History

Louise and Kenny got their sales permit in 1968 and began their business as Ellie & Eva Company. The first retail store was on Clay Street and later moved to the current location in 1974. The business on Clay Street sold record albums, ma-jong, Chinese silk jackets and jades. Ellie & Eva Company later moved to 707 and 709 Jackson Street. 709 Jackson became grocery store selling cookies in tin cans, preserves fruits by the pound from huge glass jars, beef jerky individual wrapped, and soy sauce too....707 continued novelty items but no more music. Times were bad after Loma Prieta in 1989, so the business moved in the direction of the trend...709 changed from a grocery store, to a travel agency, back to music store with cassette tapes and CD, to a gift shop/novelty shop. Almost four year ago, it made sense for Kenny to retire. But it was not meant to be.. Kenny's youngest son was not ready to retire 709 just yet, so he tried his hand in photo/art for a time to music instruments.

Specialties

Our extensive collection of Chinese Classical instruments, vintage, one-of-a-kind American and Japanese electric guitars and music memorabilia is unique in San Francisco. Located in the middle of Chinatown, we're the neighborhood music store, so we carry high quality, reasonably priced violins, cellos and guitars designed for young first-time-players and plenty of ukuleles, flutes, harmonicas, tuners and accessories. If you stop by at the right time you might be treated to a contra bass and erhu duet. Our sales approach has been described as conversational. A visit to Ellie & Eva Company is a memorable experience.