Bay Meadows

While you may be familiar with the gorgeous Draeger’s Market in downtown San Mateo, it’s possible that you’ve missed their stunning gift and houseware selection on the second floor. This area, known as “Top of the Market” has been a part of Draeger’s since the mid-90s, when they began serving the Bay Area by providing fine and unique items for the area’s sophisticated community. In addition to a variety of fine brands and unique products, they also have a top-rated cooking school that offers an array of hands on classes and regularly hosts special culinary events.

As the holidays approach, we are excited to feature this exceptional local business that provides an eclectic assortment of items, including cookware, chef’s tools, fine linens, glassware, dinnerware, gift/decorative accessories, candles, bath products, gift cards, gift wrap, and paper tableware. Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with Kathleen, the Director of the Draeger’s Cooking School and the specialty buyer for the giftware department for over 16 years.

As the holiday season approaches, are you doing anything differently this year?

Nothing particularly different from year’s past. Each year, we design and set up an extensive holiday display that includes abundance of beautiful ornaments and holiday décor. This year, we will be hosting a Simon Pearce Engraving Event on Thursday, December 3.

The holiday season is about gifts and giving; do you have any favorites you’d like to share?

We are thrilled to carry Simon Pearce glassware and are honored to be one of 10 locations in the country hosting an engraving event. We are also very proud to sell Juliska, Mary Jurek, and Match Italian Pewter, as well as some wonderful bath lines that are always great holiday hits—Agraria, The Thymes, Santa Maria Novella, and Lafco.

You have some of the most unique pieces around; do you mainly shop locally or how do you find your designers?

From far and wide, some are local and some are internationally known. Our buyers are always looking for unique, expertly crafted items that perfectly combine function and beauty.

What inspires you to keep up with all the trends these days?

Beautiful, well-crafted products never go out of style.

What are some of your best sellers?

These range across all of my categories. In cookware, Le Creuset.

In tableware and gifts, Simon Pearce, Juliska, and Match, as well as the bath lines I mentioned previously.

What and who influences you when buying for your store?

Our customers. After being a buyer here for over 16 years, I feel that I have a good sense of what they like and appreciate, and their tastes are always on my mind when I’m looking for new products.

Quick Fire round (1 word or phrase)

3 words you’d use to describe Top of the Market: Quality Unique Gifts

Favorite home technology devise or trend: Juicers and juicing

Favorite restaurant in San Mateo: Obviously, I have to say Viognier, but I also really mean it.

3 words you’d use to describe San Mateo: Walkable Urban Neighborhood

Bay Meadows is a family-friendly neighborhood with lots of green space to enjoy all year long. Whether its growing your own vegetables in a gorgeous community garden with our resident gardener, playing a game of pick-up basketball after work, team building over bocce and beers, or checking out Dig it every first Saturday of the month. There’s no shortage of green space to explore.