Castro area plant shop Plant Therapy (2077 Market Street) faces an uncertain future after the store has remained closed for nearly four months.

Taking a peek inside the Plant Therapy, all of the plants are still on display, yet the store has not been open to the public since November.

At the time, owner Chai Saechao put up a sign stating the store was "closed until further notice." Saechao did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Plant Therapy at 2095 Market St. has been closed since November. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

While Plant Therapy's website remains active, Saechao has disabled the store's Instagram account, disconnected the phone number, and emails to its company address cannot be delivered.

Plant Therapy has been at its current space since March 2021, after outgrowing a smaller space next door.

In January, San Francisco-based Ballast Investments acquired the property at 2073-2099 Market St. from Veritas Investments. Ballast Investments and Brookfield Properties purchased $915 million in defaulted mortgages tied to 2,165 San Francisco apartments owned by Veritas.

Last week Ballast Investments and its property manager Brick + Timber posted a notice of abandonment on Plant Therapy. Ballast Investments and Brick + Timber did not respond to Hoodline's request for comment.

The notice was posted last week. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

The notice alleges that Saechao has not paid rent for "more than 14 consecutive days and the landlord believes you have abandoned the property."

Plant Therapy has until February 29 to notify Ballast Investment and Brick + Timber of its intent to reopen the store and pay back rent or face termination of its lease.

"You are required to pay the rent due and unpaid on this real property as required by the lease, and your failure to do so can lead to a court proceeding against you," the notice ends.

Plant Therapy owner Chai Saechao (2021). | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

Court documents may provide additional insight into why Plant Therapy has been closed. Public records indicate two former employees were awarded a $101,750 settlement against Saechao and Plant Therapy in May 2023.

The defendants, who were married and both worked at Plant Therapy, alleged wrongful termination, violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, retaliation, and discrimination, after one defendant said they sustained a disabling workplace injury in January 2021.

Plant Therapy still has plants on the shelves. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

Plant Therapy would not be the first tenant in the building to vacate after new ownership took over.

Last month, Woodhouse Fish closed its restaurant at 2073 Market after 18 years at the location.

The three-story mixed-use apartment building currently has six vacancies: the spaces formerly occupied by Woodhouse Fish, Rikkers Liquors and Plant Therapy/Photoworks (2077 Market), The Apothecarium (2095 Market), Compass Real Estate (2099 Market), and Karizma (213 Church) all remain vacant.

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Thanks to Hoodline tipster Christopher V. 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.