The New Fillmore, the neighborhood newspaper covering the intersection of the Fillmore, Japantown and Pacific Heights since 1986, published its April issue this week. Here's a quick look at the top stories.
After 35 years, the Elite Cafe has been sold, but its new owners have promised not to make many changes. Andy Chun (Schroeder's, Press Club) bought the cafe, complete with its iconic neon sign, earlier this year. Former owner Peter Snyderman saw Chun as a kindred spirit. “We were looking for someone who would continue the tradition,” he says. “We wanted someone to carry on while injecting new vigor. We wanted it to remain the Elite. We didn’t want somebody gutting it.” The restaurant will close for a few months, but it'll reopen with new staff later this summer.
The Fillmore Merchants Association has a new president: Ron Benitez. Benitez owns Asmbly Hall, and will be taking over leadership of the group from Vasilios Kiniris, who owns Zinc Details.
Two business owners on Fillmore who operate side-by-side would seemingly be in competition, as they both sell jewelry. But in actuality, the pair support one another's businesses. Eric Trabert owns Trabert Goldsmiths, a modern custom jewelry shop, while Gary Mureta owns Mureta's Antiques. “In many ways we’re in the same business,” says Mureta. “But we’re in such different angles of it that we complement each other.”
The Planning Commission will review a conditional use request regarding the formula retail chain 45rpm, which is hoping to move into a new location at 1905 Fillmore. This could be the second formula retail business coming to the neighborhood this spring—Intermix (owned by Gap) is taking over the former Brooks Brothers Black Fleece location at 2223 Fillmore.
Ever wonder about the Gough Street Playhouse, which performs its plays in the historic Trinity St. Peter’s Episcopal Church? This month's New Fillmore has a very thorough historical overview of the Church's relationship with the theater over the past several decades.
Browser Books has started offering cooking demonstrations once a month, led by Randy Denham, a retired caterer who's been working at the shop on weekends. The demonstrations take place every third Saturday and Sunday, starting at 2pm.
Last but not least, Academy Bar and Kitchen has lost former Florio chef Nick Pallone, and with him, its more ambitious menu. Formerly Pizza Inferno, the recently renovated restaurant will return to a focus on Neapolitan-style pizzas, but it's holding on to the Academy moniker.
While The New Fillmore is fully available online for free (PDF), you can also get it in print if you live in its distribution area, or pay a small fee for a mail-order copy.
