Here's a brief roundup of recent changes to Castro area businesses. In this edition: a Castro nightclub appears closer to reopening, a new hair removal salon has been proposed, an unnamed coffee shop fills a long-vacant space, and another coffee shop opens while one remains temporarily closed.
Reopening
The Café (2369 Market St.)
It appears Castro nightclub The Café is getting closer reopening after a 19-month pandemic induced closure.
As Hoodline previously reported back in July, the nightclub announced it would be reopening but did not provide a specific date.
The Café has announced a mid-September reopening. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Now with its most recent post on Facebook and Instagram, The Café's owner confirms it will be reopening this month.
"The Café is now working to get open as soon as possible," wrote The Café in a statement. "The health and safety of all our patrons and staff [are] paramount so as the Covid pandemic continues to evolve so will our opening date."
"As of now, we are looking for a mid-September opening," added The Café. The post also said that they are currently hiring. Anyone interested should send an email to [email protected].
Hoodline reached out to The Café for comment but did not receive a response.
At this time, The Café has not announced any events or a specific reopening date. But Hoodline has learned that long-time LGBTQ party promoter Gus Bean will be hosting a Castro Street Fair after-party at The Café on Sunday, October 3.
Bean's Sunday tea dance 'Sweet Tea' will take place from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Tickets are currently available.
"Gus Presents welcomes you back to the incredible Cafe will a full-scale monthly tea dance the likes of which Castro Sunday Funday has never seen," wrote Bean. Capacity is limited and proof vaccination will be required to enter.
The Café temporarily closed in 2019 as it underwent a remodel. At that time, public records indicated construction permits have been filed to change the space's interior layout on the second floor, and to relocate and combine the restrooms into a unisex restroom.
The two ground-floor spaces below The Café remain vacant.
Tipsters previously told Hoodline that The Café's plans included taking over the former Bisou space (2367 Market St.), which has been vacant since 2018, but the owners declined to comment.
Public records indicate no new permits have been filed since its 2019 remodel.
Earlier this year ground-floor tenant Subway sandwiches permanently closed.
Opening
European Wax Center (2241 Market St.)
A new hair removal salon European Wax Center has been proposed to take over the former Fidelity National Title at 2241 Market St. (between Noe and Sanchez streets).
Fidelity National Title quietly closed last month. Hoodline reached out to Fidelity National Title for comment but did not receive a response.
European Wax Center has proposed opening at 2241 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Based in Plano, Texas European Wax Center is a hair removal salon with over 800 locations nationwide. Under the city's Formula Retail rules, businesses with 11 or more locations must obtain a conditional use permit before opening.
At this time, European Wax Center has not been scheduled for a hearing with the Planning Commission.
European Wax Center currently has one location in San Francisco 2675 Geary Blvd (at Masonic). A second location is soon to open in Cow Hollow at 3030 Fillmore (at Union St.).
On a recent visit by a Hoodline reporter, construction workers were demolishing the space.
Unnamed Coffee Shop (2175 Market St.)
It's been six years since Hoodline mapped the Castro's Coffee Cluster, and since that time many coffee shops and cafes have come and gone.
Hoodline has learned a new unnamed coffee shop is headed to 2175 Market St (at Sanchez St.).
A sign posted in the window by Maven Real Estate states the corner retail space has been filled.
A coffee shop will fill the third and final storefront at 2175 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Castro residents will recall the triangular-shaped space has sat unfilled since the six-story mixed-use apartment building 2175 Market St. opened in 2015.
Maven's Santino DeRose tells Hoodline "a really interesting coffee concept" will be opening in the space. Asked for more details, DeRose and agent Catherine Meunier declined to comment or announce the name of the business.
Two other storefronts in the building are currently occupied by One Medical and Tin Pharmacy which both took over portions of the space previously occupied by The Myriad.
Closure
Weaver's Coffee & Tea (2301 Market St.)
While one coffee shop is set to open in the Castro, another has departed.
Weaver's Coffee & Tea has permanently closed at 2301 Market St. The coffee shop occupies the ground floor space inside the Fitness SF building.
Weaver's Coffee has not responded to Hoodline's multiple requests for comment.
Weaver's Coffee has permanently closed at 2301 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Weaver's Coffee future appeared in limbo after it temporarily closed in August 2020. Then one year ago a driver crashed through Weaver's window, damaging the storefront and the building.
Now that the repairs have been completed and the building received a fresh coat of paint, Hooodline can confirm that Weaver's has in fact departed the Castro after opening in 2014.
A new for-lease sign has been posted in the window. An active listing for the approximately 885 square foot space states the monthly rental price is negotiable.
Temporary Closure
Réveille (18th St.)
San Francisco-based Réveille Coffee's Castro location at 4076 18th St. has been temporarily closed for two months as it undergoes repairs.
The reason for the closure has remained a mystery and little is known about the closure except for a sign posted on Réveille's gate.
"Due to repair work being done by the property owner we will be closed for a little bit," the sign stated. A reopening date has not been announced.
Réveille Coffee remains temporarily closed. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Réveille founders and brothers Christopher and Tommy Newbury have not responded to Hoodline's request for comment.
Public records indicate no permits have been filed, providing no insight into the closure.
Now a new sign has been posted on the storefront providing more clues about the closure.
"Mold remediation in progress. Authorized personnel only," the sign reads. "Respirators and protective clothing are required in this area."
Hoodline will keep you updated as we learn more about all of these stories.