More On The Haight's Ritual Coffee, Now Targeting An October Opening

More On The Haight's Ritual Coffee, Now Targeting An October OpeningPhoto: Camden Avery/Hoodline
Rose Garrett
Published on July 23, 2015

Way back in October of last year, we reported that Ritual Coffee Roasters was headed to the neighborhood, with plans to move into the former Lucky Cleaners & Laundry at Haight and Central. 

We checked back in with Ritual owner Eileen Rinaldi to learn more about the status of the project, plus what neighbors can expect when the new addition does open its doors.

With little visible progress at 1300 Haight, it's clear that the tentative opening date of July 2015 proved overly ambitious. "We're hoping to be open in October," Rinaldi told us, though construction and permitting can always cause further delays. Construction on the 800-square-foot former laundromat space will include new plumbing and electrical, a new window and an ADA-compliant restroom.

Some local readers have raised concerns about the coffee shop's plans for outdoor seating, because of its close proximity to Buena Vista Park. "We have heard loud and clear from neighbors that they want our space to be active and for our outdoor seating to not be a place for homeless people," responded Rinaldi. "This is an issue we're very familiar with at our spot in Hayes Valley. In fact, the manager from the Hayes Valley spot will be moving to the Haight Street spot. She'll be bringing her experience of how to make sure that the seating is for paying customers with her, and we're grateful for that."

As for what to expect, Rinaldi confirms that like the company's Valencia Street location, there will be no wifi. "We're going for a modern take on a cafe," she said of the ambiance, noting that "we'll do our best to bring the green of Buena Vista Park into the cafe."

The two adjacent Haight Street retail spaces are still on the market, and Rinaldi says Ritual is hoping to see more new businesses move in on the shop's quieter stretch of Haight. On that note, she quizzed us on what neighbors might like to see move in next.

"Are there particular businesses or types of businesses people are hoping to see? Or businesses that people think, 'As long as it's not another ... ?'" she asked. "If other business owners or neighbors have suggestions, we're all ears." 

We'll let you chime in in the comments with your thoughts.