The Castro will soon have a 24/7 cafe where late-night revelers can grab a drink and eat some snacks.
Corgi Cafe quickly took over 260 Church Street, formerly Church St. Cafe.
Hoodline readers will recall Church St. Cafe closed last month after 20 years in the neighborhood.
Corgi Cafe plans to open at 260 Church St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
As the San Francisco Chronicle and SF Standard previously reported, Nico Laqua and Emily Yuan founded Corgi Cafe in 2024.
Hoodline reached out to Corgi Cafe for comment but did not receive a response.
Corgi Cafe will offer customers a selection of coffee and espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, and snacks.
Despite its name, corgis will not be present inside the cafe unless, of course, a customer brings one in tow.
The project is financially backed by the Dogpatch-based accelerator Y Combinator. The cafe is a project of technology company Corgi Insurance, which provides insurance to technology startups.
According to Forbes, Corgi is valued at $5 billion. In May, Corgi raised $160 million, with an additional $64 million in July.
As reported by the SF Business Times, Corgi planned to open 100 Corgi Cafe locations in San Francisco within 6 months. However, those plans were paused last month.
Construction work is underway inside 260 Church St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Once Corgi Cafe reaches 11 or more locations worldwide, the city's formula retail rules will be triggered. Corgi Cafe will then be required to obtain a conditional use permit before opening in any neighborhoods with the restriction.
Corgi Cafe currently has one location in San Francisco in the Financial District at 1 Claude Lane. Additionally, Corgi Cafe has locations in Atlanta, London, and New York.
A second San Francisco location in the Dogpatch at 2146 3rd Street was recently forced to temporarily close due to not having the proper permits. According to reports, its staff was laid off.
Reportedly, a fourth location is planned in North Beach at 968 Columbus Avenue.
When Hoodline stopped by the new Church Street location, construction workers were inside the cafe, and power tools could be heard operating.
An employee outside the store told Hoodline that the cafe should open in the next couple of weeks.
Corgi Cafe's opening would add a 24/7 option to an area that once was the home of the former 24-hour Spark's Diner.
Longtime neighborhood favorite Orphan Andy's, which was recently sold, was once 24/7 but now operates those hours Tuesday to Saturday only.
Public records indicate a building permit was issued for the remodel work, including counter replacement, flooring, and replacing appliances. Construction costs were estimated at $1,500, which appears low.
Corgi Cafe's opening comes just as California Italian restaurant The Rustic closed this month.
Thanks to Hoodline tipster Reva L. If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, email your tips and photos to [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.
