Upscale Retail Space 'The Academy' To Open In Former Klotz Watches & Clocks

Upscale Retail Space 'The Academy' To Open In Former Klotz Watches & ClocksPhoto: Miklos P./Yelp
Shane Downing
Published on March 25, 2017

As a reprieve from our report on the state of retail vacancies earlier this week, we've got news of a fresh business moving into the Castro.

The Academy, an “upscale, lounge-style retail showroom,” is set to move into the former Klotz Watches & Clocks space on Market Street, which shuttered in July of 2015.

Business partners Nate Bourg and Paul Miller (who are both Bay Area natives and live around the neighborhood) are planning to have The Academy open later this spring.

Bourg, who works for the San Francisco Symphony, told us that the idea for the business emerged out of the duo’s initial tour of the property earlier this month.

“It’s perfectly located for people to walk to and gather,” Bourg said. “We’d noticed it had been vacant for a while, and we didn’t want to open a bar or restaurant. What we came up with is this kind of expanded retail concept.”

The Academy will offer men’s furnishings, design items and accessories in what Bourg described as a men's lifestyle club.

“Our idea is catered to the Castro and the typical modern casual gentleman you find in the neighborhood,” Bourg said. “Not fancy, but there are people that want upscale who are willing to spend money for something a little nicer.”

Bourg and Miller decided to name the store “The Academy” out of respect to the property’s history. Bourg told us that prior to Klotz Watches & Clocks, 2166 Market St. was home to Cardi’s (a restaurant and bar), the Balcony (a men’s leather bar), and from 1983 to 1988, the Academy (a men’s sex club).

“Part of the reason why we named it The Academy,” Bourg said, “is because it recalls this idea of not a school, but a collective of individuals that gather for a common purpose.”

The owners also plan to have a one chair barbershop in the space's atrium.

In addition to its showroom items, Bourg and Miller plan to offer special programming and events at The Academy.

“What I find most exciting is the opportunity to hold a curated set of events,” Bourg told us, including art exhibits, workshops, discussions, whiskey tastings, and talks by local authors.

Bourg told us that he’s actively pursuing collaborations with local merchants, nonprofits, artists, distilleries and community leaders to fill The Academy’s calendar for its first few months.

However, before The Academy can open, the team needs to do some work on the space.

“Fortunately, it’s really minor,” Bourg said, “A lot of it is cosmetic. We’re creating a meticulously designed interior.”

Bourg said that communicating The Academy’s business concept has been one of his biggest challenges thus far.

“Normally,” Bourg said, “you go into a retail shop and you buy something or you don’t. But we’re creating a space that is more like walking into someone’s beautiful living room. There will be someone there to greet you and talk with. It’s more of an experience, a place you can sit down on the sofa and stick around awhile, more of a destination.”

The Academy is hiring. If you have retail and hospitality experience and good conversation skills, email nate [AT] academy-sf [DOT] com .