A curbside trinket exchange on Sanchez Street in San Francisco brings color and activity to a gray afternoon. The Castro Trinket Trade near 16th Street features spinning pinwheels, bubbles, and a metal box filled with small items meant to brighten someone’s day. Visitors follow a simple rule: take a trinket and leave a trinket. Early visitors sometimes ignored the trade-in aspect, but clearer instructions, padlocks and chains used overnight, and visible security camera warnings improved behavior. The box contains figurines, jewelry, stickers, erasers, buttons, key rings, pens, and handmade or vintage items, including quirky clay pumpkins. Queer-owned businesses also contribute items such as a free drink ticket from Midnight Sun.
"“It’s very fun and very community-building and community-oriented. Everyone loves it; kids, adults, you name it,” said Emily Izenman, the creator behind the project, which is next to the steps of her home."
"“Visitors are expected to follow one basic rule: take a trinket, leave a trinket.” Initially, a few people did some trinket-taking but disregarded the trade-in aspect of the deal. Clearer wording on the trinket trade box, as well as padlocks and metal chains (primarily used overnight), and warnings that security cameras are operating, have helped improve trinket box behavior."
"The trinkets themselves, arranged in and on top of the box, include small and large figurines, jewelry, stickers, erasers, buttons, key rings and pens. Some trinkets are handmade or vintage; others are odd, such as clay pumpkins with quirky facial expressions. One standout item: a mini-trinket-trade box that someone left inside the Castro box."
"“It can be anything, really,” said Izenman, an avid trinket collector herself. “I want the box to reflect whatever the community brings to it.” Queer-owned businesses in the neighborhood have also contributed items, such as a free drink ticket from Midnight Sun, a bar on 18th Street."
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