Hayes Valley Business Briefs: Hill City closes, plant-based Italian eatery to open, more

Hayes Valley Business Briefs: Hill City closes, plant-based Italian eatery to open, moreAt 300 Grove St. where A Taste of Baia will open. | Photo: Alisa Scerrato/Hoodline
Teresa Hammerl
Published on July 01, 2020

Here's a brief roundup of recent changes to Hayes Valley businesses during shelter-in-place.

Closing

Hill City Pop-Up (522 Octavia St.)

An anonymous Hoodline tipster alerts us that Hill City's parent company Gap Inc. has shut down the "high-performance lifestyle brand designed for men," also bringing the time of the Hayes Valley pop-up space at 522 Octavia St. to an end.

"We will be winding down operations, but will still be restocking our best styles and dropping new ones, so we can still share all of the exciting things that we have been working on for our customers," a statement on Hill City's website reads. "Thank you for believing in our brand and helping make it a reality."

The pop-up store in the former Seldom Seen location, which opened last October, had already closed temporarily due to shelter-in-place, and while Hill City is not ceasing operations immediately, "the store is [now] closed indefinitely," representatives of the brand wrote on Instagram. "No plans to reopen at the moment."

Neighboring business Church Barber also expressed sadness about the news in an Instagram comment. "Church squad will miss our neighbors dearly," representatives of the barbershop wrote.

Opening

A Taste of Baia (300 Grove St.)

Starting August 1, plant-based A Taste of Baia will offer a selection of dishes for takeout and delivery that were originally planned for the sit-down restaurant Baia, VegOut Magazine reports.

The eatery will move into Traci Des Jardins' former high-end Hayes restaurant Jardinière, which closed after 22 years in the neighborhood last year in April.

Spearheaded by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney and husband-and-wife team Kyle and Tracy Vogt, the new restaurant originally planned to open this April, but then the COVID-19 crisis hit. Kyle is the CTO and co-founder of self-driving car company Cruise, and Tracy is the founder of Sonoma-based farm animal sanctuary Charlie’s Acres.

Menu items are expected to rotate on a weekly basis, with an Italian wine and beer program, to-go craft cocktails and "unique takes" on classic pizzas, seasonal vegetables, and comfort Italian dishes. Diners will see Italian classics with new ingredients, such as plant-based cheeses.

The trio also still plans to open Baia for dine-in service at a later date.

Reopening

MMclay Airstream (395 Linden St.)

Photo: MMclay Ceramics Airstream/Yelp

MMclay's Airstream trailer is reopening for outdoor sales of handmade pottery and ceramics next to Patricia's Green on Thursday, July 2. "Thanks to everyone for your patience and support during the shutdown," a company representative wrote in an email newsletter. Her Urban Herbs will also sell fresh-cut organic bouquets on Thursdays and Saturdays at the trailer.

While Proxy has canceled its outdoor movie nights, some businesses are open, including Ritual Coffee (check the website for social distancing instructions), Smitten Ice Cream (in-shop sitting areas are closed) and the Juice Shop kiosk


If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.