The name "Unionmade" was conceived around the notion of well-made and aesthetically classic goods. It also conveys what they are about: Collaborating, uniting and making things together. While some of what they sell does come from union shops, that's a happy coincidence. They are interested in well-made American style and aesthetically classic goods, many of which are made in the United States, but they are not affiliated with any unions, other than the unions, civil and otherwise, that tie us all together.

Unionmade opened in November of 2009 in a pre-1906 earthquake Victorian storefront at 493 Sanchez Street, situated on the border of San Francisco's Mission and Castro districts. In April of 2011, they opened a second outpost at the historic Brentwood Country Mart in Santa Monica, California. Voted one of the country's 10 best independent men's stores by GQ Magazine and San Francisco's best men's store by SF Weekly, Unionmade is known for their outstanding selection of men's casual and fine clothing.