Star Glass will cease operations later this month, following 92 years at its current location at 1616 Pacific Ave. (at Polk).

The story unfolds in all too familiar terms, as a new landlord raised the rent and changed the conditions of tenancy, then gave Star Glass owner Nick Barbarotto 30 days' notice to vacate when they were unable to come to terms.

“We had to throw away 2 tons of glass!” said Barbarotto, pointing to now empty racks and shelves, all custom built to hold thousands of sheets of uncut glass, which could be custom cut and finished in the shop. Star has also had to employ a small team to move the shop out, working full time for the past two weeks.

The rest of the shop's remaining inventory has been moved to a warehouse space in South City while Star Glass looks for a new home in the City. Star Glass will resume business as soon as it's able to secure a new shop and storefront.

Barbarotto bought the business in 1999 with his business partner Jerry Shaffer. He had started working for Star Glass shortly after the earthquake in 1989, when, he acknowledges with a smile, “business was good.” He hopes to keep the business in the Polk Gulch corridor, but acknowledges that the current real estate market in the area doesn’t favor small businesses.

Thanks to reader Daniel D. for the tip.