It's been 17 months since the fire at Haight and Fillmore -- well, 17 months and a day, to be exact. But in a fresh sign that the reconstruction is approaching some sort of a conclusion, two of the four businesses that were displaced by the fire are officially preparing to move back in.
Both Three Twins Ice Cream and Estela's Fresh Sandwiches recently signed new leases on their former spaces -- or, rather, the general areas where their spaces used to be, as the storefronts have been reconfigured. Three Twins founder Neal Gottlieb told us he signed a 15-year lease (including options) earlier this month, and said the shop is "supposed to be able to be open by June 1," barring any surprises. Estela's co-owner Mark Richter echoed that statement, having signed a similar 15-year total lease. He says they're supposed to get the keys as early as April 1, and are looking at a June 1 opening date, if construction and permitting go according to plan. He says the shop will be about 4 feet wider than the previous version of Estela's, and that they're investing in enhancing the space with nice tile work and flooring. They'll also be adding some new items like coffee and pastries, which have proven successful at their new Union Square location. The other Fillmore shop, Fecal Face, moved to the Mission, and the three storefronts are being consolidated into two. As for the fourth displaced tenant, we reached out to CVS to find out what their latest plans are, as we haven't heard much since last July, when they announced that they would be replacing Walgreens. We still haven't heard back yet, but if we do, we'll update accordingly.
Both Three Twins Ice Cream and Estela's Fresh Sandwiches recently signed new leases on their former spaces -- or, rather, the general areas where their spaces used to be, as the storefronts have been reconfigured. Three Twins founder Neal Gottlieb told us he signed a 15-year lease (including options) earlier this month, and said the shop is "supposed to be able to be open by June 1," barring any surprises. Estela's co-owner Mark Richter echoed that statement, having signed a similar 15-year total lease. He says they're supposed to get the keys as early as April 1, and are looking at a June 1 opening date, if construction and permitting go according to plan. He says the shop will be about 4 feet wider than the previous version of Estela's, and that they're investing in enhancing the space with nice tile work and flooring. They'll also be adding some new items like coffee and pastries, which have proven successful at their new Union Square location. The other Fillmore shop, Fecal Face, moved to the Mission, and the three storefronts are being consolidated into two. As for the fourth displaced tenant, we reached out to CVS to find out what their latest plans are, as we haven't heard much since last July, when they announced that they would be replacing Walgreens. We still haven't heard back yet, but if we do, we'll update accordingly.
