Here's a brief roundup of recent changes to Castro area businesses. In this edition, a new restaurant softly opens, a gift shop rebrands, a yoga studio nears opening, and construction continues at the former Harvey's space, though no tenant has yet been identified.
Parasol at Cafe Flore (2298 Market)
The doors have once again reopened at the historic former Cafe Flore space at 2298 Market Street.
Parasol at Cafe Flore has softly opened.
The new California bistro and Mediterranean restaurant softly opened last month, offering coffee, pastries, and sunshine on its outdoor patio.
Parasol at Cafe Flore has softly opened. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Parasol is currently open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Look for the full menu and expanded operating hours in the coming weeks.
Parasol announced earlier this year that they would be opening this Spring in the former Cafe Flore space.
Prior tenant seafood restaurant Fisch & Flore closed after one year. The space briefly reopened for pop-up concepts at the end of 2025, Fat Cat Wine Club and Deck The Halls.
San Francisco Mercantile (525 Castro)
Two years after opening Welcome Castro at 525 Castro Street, the shop has been rebranded as San Francisco Mercantile.
The shop will serve as a sister store to San Francisco Mercantile (1698 Haight Street) in the Haight-Ashbury.
Welcome Castro opened in 2023 in the former Levi's Store. Initially, Emmons had agreed to a $50,000 grant from the Castro Merchants but ultimately declined to accept.
"The 'Welcome' concept has been very successful for us—first in Golden Gate Park and continuing at our location at the iconic corner of Haight & Ashbury," said owner Robert Emmons. "That intersection naturally draws visitors, giving us the opportunity to share the neighborhood’s history, provide maps, and guide people to local shops, restaurants, and bars.
Inside the rebranded San Francisco Mercantile at 525 Castro St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
"In the Castro, however, the dynamic is different. Visitors tend to discover businesses more organically as they move through the neighborhood, and overall, we see fewer tourists there compared to the Haight," added Emmons.
"As a result, the 'Welcome' model hasn’t had the same impact in that location. Because of this, I’ve made the decision to rebrand the shop as San Francisco Mercantile and give the space a refresh with new paint, updated signage, and an evolved product assortment," said Emmons.
The storefront has already been updated. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Emmons made the change over the past couple of weeks by updating the store's selection and color scheme. Emmons said everything will be completed by the end of the month.
"We will continue to feature and support LGBTQ+ makers while also expanding our offerings to better serve both locals and visitors," said Emmons.
Hyacinth (227 Church)
The long-delayed and much-awaited yoga studio at 227 Church Street appears to be nearing an opening date.
Construction at the former Aardvark Books space has been ongoing for nearly two years.
Recently, a sign was installed signaling that the yoga studio will be called Hyacinth. Additionally, a website landing page for the studio was created.
Hyacinth will open soon at 227 Church St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
The yoga studio owners have remained elusive since the project was first announced, but three women who appear to be the owners have been spotted inside.
Aardvark Books was forced to close in January 2019, after more than 40 years in business, because its building was sold in October 2018. The deal, valued at $2.4 million, came with the requirement that the commercial space be delivered empty to the new owner.
Initially, the proposed project was going to expand into the basement and add a second level; however, those plans were scaled back to only the ground floor.
The yoga studio was designed by Feldman Architecture. Renderings show a central workout space with room for approximately 42 people, along with retail space, bathrooms, and a storage area.
500 Castro (Formerly Harvey's)
Despite the proposed bar and restaurant Pink Swallow abandoning its plans to open at 500 Castro Street, construction has been ongoing inside the space for months.
Last July, Pink Swallow announced that it scrapped its ambitious plan to open a new Castro bar and restaurant in the former Harvey's space, along with an adjacent space.
Construction is ongoing at 500 Castro St., formerly Harvey's. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Since that time, the building's owner, Paul Langley, has moved forward with the permitted and approved plans. Public records indicate construction costs were estimated at $893,000.
While construction is ongoing, a new tenant/operator for the space has not been identified, and the space remains for lease.
Recently, Buzzer 9 Development has been sharing regular updates about construction at the space.
In its most recent video, construction updates included structural improvements, building stairs, framing out the second floor, and upgrading the plumbing. The second-floor mezzanine will hold the kitchen and storage areas. Next up is clean-up and floor leveling.
