History
Founded by author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Calegari, 826 Valencia is a creative writing and tutoring center for kids age 6 - 18 and a support system for the teachers struggling to serve them in the classroom. King Carl's Emporium offers new and used books as well as curiosities that King Carl, our peripatetic pufferfish, sends back to us on his journeys. The space acts as not only store but also portal to the writing center and outreach tool for the community who find their way inside.
Specialties
King Carl's Emporium offers toys, stationary, and books to the Tenderloin. We are also the front for creative writing, tutoring, and publishing nonprofit 826 Valencia. In fact, many of the books sold here were written behind the store by 6 - 18 year old students in our beautiful writers' room. We offer free support for teachers, after-school tutoring, and writing classes for kids. All proceeds from the store benefit our programs.