Civic Center Market Ends Decades-Long Tenure At Market & Larkin

Civic Center Market Ends Decades-Long Tenure At Market & LarkinPhoto: Brittany Hopkins/Hoodline
Brittany Hopkins
Published on March 21, 2016

Civic Center Market, a liquor store which has sat on the corner of Market and Larkin for nearly 50 years, is in its final days. With the store's closure set for March 31st, the shelves are barren and loyal customers are stopping in to buy up what's left and say their goodbyes.

Owner Edmond Kubein says losing the space was a bit of a shock. He and his father took over the liquor store in December 1968; he was 11 at the time. In 1985, his father retired and Kubein took over. Providing a bit more history on the space, Kubein says it was a liquor store for just a few years before they took over, and in the "teens," it was a candy shop.

The long lease Kubein held ended a few years ago, and the landlord kept him month-to-month for a time, he said. When his landlord finally offered a new lease, it was only for two years. The landlord wanted to let the market resettle before he offered him another long lease, Kubein said, and he was clear that he'd likely raise their rent at that time. But Kubein didn't mind; he was planning to remodel the space then.

Edmond Kubein.

However, Kubein was told last October that the space had been leased to RAMS, Inc., a nonprofit social service agency that recently opened its mental and behavioral wellness center next door. While Kubein offered to match what they were offering, the landlord didn't budge, saying RAMS, Inc. wanted the entire ground-floor space.

Thinking back on the last few decades at Civic Center Market, Kubein said he didn't have too many fond memories. "Fond memories are right now," he said, pointing toward the new offices, restaurants and homes that have sprouted up outside his front door. Kubein remembers the late 1960s as a "pretty good deal." But they led to years of upheaval as the city ripped up sidewalks to install BART and revitalize the area. Then there was the crack cocaine epidemic in the late 1980s. And all the while, there was the regular theft that liquor stores must deal with.

Empty shelves in the decades-old liquor store.

Despite the always-hectic Civic Center location, Kubein proudly explained that his shop has always attracted a diverse clientele. He saw patrons of the nearby theaters, ballet and opera, as well as the city's lowest socioeconomic group.

Kubein has no doubt he'll reopen elsewhere. "It's my field," he said. "What I've been doing most of my life."

But staying in Mid-Market has proven difficult. He signed a letter of intent with the landlord at 1230 Market St., just a few doors down on the same block. While the Planning Department and Alcohol Beverage Control were fine with the relocation, Kubein says the police department's Alcohol Licensing Unit protested and have successfully blocked the transfer.

For now, Kubein says he's focusing on moving out and will pick up his relocation efforts again in a month. We'll let you know where the market lands next.

Thanks to tipster Peter M.