Here's a brief roundup of recent changes to Castro area businesses. In this edition, a Himalayan gift shop closes, a wellness studio receives planning approval, a smoke shop's license gets suspended, and The Castro releases more events.
Dolma (530 Castro)
Castro Himalayan gifts and handicrafts shop Dolma has announced its closure.
Recently, a sign was posted in the window announcing the closure.
Himalyan gifts and handicrafts shop Dolma will close at 530 Castro St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Hoodline reached out to Dolma for comment but did not receive a response.
Dolma's locations in the Haight, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto will remain open.
Dolma was founded in 1994. A new tenant for the space has not been announced.
Pause Studio approval (2238 Market)
LA-based wellness studio Pause Studio received approval from the San Francisco Planning Commission to open.
On Thursday, the Planning Commission unanimously approved Pause Studio's conditional use permit 6-0.
Pause Studio will open at 2238 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Pause Studio will open at 2238 Market St., in one of two ground-floor retail spaces inside the condo building called 2238 Market that's also home to specialty market The Epicurean Trader. The space has remained vacant since the building was completed in 2022.
As Hoodline previously reported, Pause Studio was required to obtain a conditional use due to San Francisco's formula retail rules. Pause Studio currently has 23 locations nationwide.
Franchisee Frances Schendle will be opening the Castro location. "We're super excited about the conditional use permit, and excited to be past another milestone," said Schendle.
Previously, Schendle told Hoodline that Pause Studio will open in Summer 2026.
Koheba Smoke Shop (2310 Market)
The Castro's Koheba Smoke Shop has had its Tobacco Sale Permit suspended for four months.
A sign posted in the window states that the San Francisco Department of Public Health suspended the license from November 6, 2025 until March 15, 2026.
Tobacco Sales Permit suspension notice at Koheba Smoke Shop. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
"The Director of Public Health finds that one or more provision(s) of...the San Francisco Health Code have been violated," the notice reads.
Hoodline reached out to SFDPH for comment but did not receive a response.
Castro Theatre (429 Castro)
Another Planet Entertainment (APE) continues to release more details about upcoming shows, movies, and events at The Castro in the lead-up to its grand re-opening in February 2026.
Last week, APE announced several film screenings, including silent classic It (March 22) starring Clara Bow, A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint (April 1), The Last Black Man in San Francisco (April 12), and Hedwig & the Angry Inch (July 17).
Earlier this month, APE announced a variety of performers, including Alaska Thunderfuck (March 20), Father John Misty (March 24 & 25), Alyssa Edwards (April 11), Jonathan Van Ness (April 30), and The Breeders (August 22).
As Hoodline previously reported, Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith will kick off the grand re-opening of The Castro with what is now a sold-out 20-show residency beginning February 10.
