With January traditionally being a slower month for local businesses and restaurants, a handful of Castro area shops took advantage of the time to upgrade their storefronts.

Here's a brief roundup of recent changes to Castro area businesses. In this edition, a restaurant added a full liquor license, two restaurants remodeled, a grocery store reopened, and a new shawarma restaurant is on the way.

 

Bar49 (2295 Market)

After Hi Tops alum Colm O'Brien opened restaurant and bar Bar49 in June, they just added a full liquor license on January 10.

O'Brien tells Hoodline that Bar49 has added a full cocktail menu to go, along with the selection of beers and wines.

"Our feature cocktails have names that are San Francisco related to go along with the name of the bar," said O'Brien.

Bar49's Miss MORE! cocktail. | Photo courtesy of Colm O'Brien

 

Cocktails include Miss MORE!, Sister Roma N/A Spritz, Gold Rush, 7x7, and The Empress in honor of San Francisco's Imperial Court.

Bar49 is also open for late-night food on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 pm. O'Brien has also applied for a permit to keep the trees along Market Street lit up nightly.

 

Gyro Xpress (499 Castro)

11 years into holding down the cursed corner at 18th and Castro streets, Mediterranean restaurant Gyro Express has remodeled its dining room.

Upgrades to the space include new seating, countertops, tile, fresh paint, and a fully remodeled bathroom and exterior.

Photo: Gary Virginia/Facebook

 

Mollie Stone's (4201 18th)

Castro grocery store Mollie Stone's hosted a grand reopening ceremony on January 17 after remodeling the store.

Upgrades include new extra bright light fixtures, remodeled floors and ceiling, 330 inches of video monitors displaying iconic San Francisco views, new check stands, bathrooms, a renovated parking garage, and more.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman presents Mollie Stone's with a certificate of honor. | Photo: Mollie Stone's/Facebook

 

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, First Lady of the Castro Donna Sachet, and Castro Merchants board member Nate Bourg were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"We hope that the remodel will enhance the ever-important Castro District," said Mollie Stone's in a statement. "We especially thank our customers for making us your local grocer, our vendors for your valued partnership and support, and our hardworking and talented team for bringing the remodel to life. We look forward to many more years of supporting our community and satisfying our customers."

Willkommen (2198 Market)

Opened in 2019, Castro indoor beer garden and restaurant Willkommen spent the first two weeks of 2025 remodeling.

Willkommen officially reopened on January 17 as a full-service restaurant along with the addition of four U-shaped booths, Himalayan cedar tables, and a realignment of the bar to be a U-shaped.

Customers can now enjoy authentic Bratwurst, Schnitzel, and Berlin-style döner kebab with amazing craft beer from Black Hammer Brewing and a selection of fine wines.

Willkommen's newly installed booths. | Photo courtesy of Jim Furman

 

"Our updates revolved around creating a cozier, warmer environment for our guests to relax in," said Willkommen owner Jim Furman.

"We also warmed up the finishes with some fine woodworking using hardwoods from around the world including Panamanian Canary Wood and Peruvian Walnut, all designed, created and finished by Black Hammer Woodworks," added Furman.

Furman explained the döner (pronounced dooner) kebab is "prepared traditionally using sliced grass-fed beef marinated with herbs and spices for 24 hours, then slow-roasted on a vertical rotisserie and served in a warm pide, with red harissa and white herb sauces."

This isn't the first time Willkommen has changed things up. Back in 2023, Willkommen launched an expanded menu.

 

One Bite Shawarma (506 Castro)

A new Middle Eastern restaurant is headed to Castro Street.

One Bite Shawarma will be opening at 506 Castro St, formerly Sisters Coffee Shop.

Sisters Coffee closed last month after less than two years in the Castro.

One Bite Shawarma will be opening at 506 Castro St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

However, the space has quickly changed hands. An opening date for One Bite Shawarma has not been announced.

The space at 506 Castro has seen a fair amount of turnover in the 11 years since The Body Shop closed in 2014.

Artis Coffee briefly operated out of the space before Project Juice took over in 2016. Project Juice then became Earthbar before closing in 2023.