Last week, we broke the news that Blue Bottle Coffee intends to move into the space that formerly housed coffee shop Bean There, which lost its lease in February after 21 years in business. 

But Blue Bottle has a long road to opening up shop at Haight and Steiner. Because it's a formula retail business (more than 11 locations worldwide), it must obtain a conditional use permit from the Planning Department. While that process unfolds, a hair salon is temporarily occupying the space. 

Danny Scher, the landlord of the space at 201 Steiner St., also owns 85 Carl St. in Cole Valley, home to hair salon Vierra and Friends. That space needs to undergo an earthquake retrofit, so he's offered Vierra and Friends the Bean There space as a temporary salon for the duration of the renovation, which could run as long as six months.

Vierra and Friends has been at 85 Carl for 26 years, co-owner Lison Vierra said. Closing for three weeks, let alone several months, would have been financially devastating, and she said she's grateful to not have any interruption to her business. (Bean There also originally closed for an earthquake retrofit, which has since been completed.)

Co-owner Robert Service added that the temporary location is ideal, since their clients only have to take the N-Judah one stop through the tunnel.

Both Vierra and Service recognize there are already a significant number of established salons in the Lower Haight, and they say they're primarily aiming to serve their existing Cole Valley clientele. However, they welcome neighbors to drop by and say hello. 

As for Blue Bottle, they'll be hosting a pre-application meeting next Monday, August 15th, that will give neighbors the chance to review and discuss plans. The meeting will be held at the Harvey Milk Rec Center (50 Scott St.) at 6:30pm.

Thanks to tipsters Greg, John M., and Phil D.