Back in September, we surveyed the hottest vacant storefronts on the market in the neighborhood and promised you that we'd stay tuned to any developments. In a testament to Hayes Valley's tight commercial real estate market, the majority of those spaces have since found suitors, though a couple are still awaiting their knight in shining armor to arrive.
When it comes to matching this year's sexy storefront to new businesses, we think three out of five ain't bad. Stay tuned for a fresh-faced crop of sexy vacant storefronts next year, and as always, let us know if you hear any retail or restaurant-related tips by emailing us at tips {at} hoodline {dot} com.
So, if you're still pining for a connection with a hot, available retail space near you, here's the update on the once and future most eligible addresses in the neighborhood.
1.) 524 Octavia St.
Formerly known as: The African Outlet
Status: STILL VACANT
The African Outlet departed the neighborhood in August, moving on to a space at 4942 3rd Street in Bayview. Since then, the space has stayed closed up, and no interior renovations are currently underway. However, a "For Rent" sign has recently appeared on the storefront, though there's no listing online that we could find. Will 524 Octavia find love in the new year? Only time will tell.
2) 597 Hayes St.
Formerly known as: In Bed
Status: NO LONGER VACANT
Officially vacated by In Bed in May, this prime location at Hayes and Laguna hosted a summer-long occupation by downstairs neighbor Cary Young, which was undergoing construction on its basement space at 760 Laguna. In recent months, construction crews have been hard at work, and last week we reported that the location will debut in mid-January as an outpost of French apparel brand Cotélac. Bienvenue!
3) 537 Octavia St.
Formerly known as: Reliquary
Status: NO LONGER VACANT
Back in April, when Reliquary moved from this peaceful street to amplify foot traffic at a Hayes Street location around the corner, we wondered what would take its place. Turns out that this coquettish location really gets around. Not only has the space hosted a pop-up for Move Loot, which lasts from September until the end of the year, but it'll soon become a second location of Berkeley-based coffee roasters Artís Coffee. A timeline for the new coffee stop sets opening in early 2015. Stay tuned, caffeine hounds.
4) 463 Hayes St.
Formerly known as: None
Status: STILL VACANT
This space has been under construction since last year, and the new mixed-use residential/retail building is now renting out its "luxury condos" for a January move-in (and a prime view onto Proxy's planned outdoor movies and live music). Downstairs, it's still anyone's guess as to who will be moving in to the sleek, Proxy-adjacent commercial space, but we've heard rumors that a tenant has been secured. Stay tuned.
5.) 357 Hayes St.
Formerly known as: Quatrine
Status: NO LONGER VACANT
Back in October, we correctly prognosticated that online eyeglass retailer Warby Parker was Hayes Valley-bound, and last month, 357 Hayes debuted as a hip, library-inspired brick-and-mortar version of the store's online presence. Judging by the city's near-endless demand for stylish specs, we're guessing this space will stay in its newest incarnation for quite a while to come.
When it comes to matching this year's sexy storefront to new businesses, we think three out of five ain't bad. Stay tuned for a fresh-faced crop of sexy vacant storefronts next year, and as always, let us know if you hear any retail or restaurant-related tips by emailing us at tips {at} hoodline {dot} com.
