Castro's Coffee Cluster Contracts: 'Café UB' Closing By Labor Day

Castro's Coffee Cluster Contracts: 'Café UB' Closing By Labor DayPhoto: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Steven Bracco
Published on August 29, 2017

Coffee shop Café UB (18th & Sanchez) is set to shutter over the Labor Day weekend, joining Zapata Mexican Grill, Mekong Kitchen and House of Chen in a list of recent neighborhood closures.

Owner Al Simball took over the space in 2013 when it was then Urban Bread. Along with his girlfriend and café manager Nicole Martin, the couple rebranded as Café UB, serving a variety of pastries, artisan breads, frittatas and breakfast and lunch sandwiches.

Via email, a representative told Hoodline that the coffee shop will close on Labor Day. "Anyone interested in purchasing items in the café should stop in and speak with the owner," they added.

Café UB at 18th and Sanchez. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

When we asked Simball why he decided to close, he was unambiguous: "there's too many coffee shops in the neighborhood."

As a 2015 Hoodline investigation found, the Castro has a cluster of coffee shops, though Bernie'sWildcraft and illy have all closed in the last several months.

Earlier this summer, bakery and bistro Le Marais opened directly across the street from Café UB, serving French pastries, Sightglass coffee, and an extended menu.

We'll keep an eye on the space; if you notice a new (or closing) business, text your tip and a photo to 415-200-3233. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.