Steven Bracco

Last week, the San Francisco Public Works Department replanted nearly half a dozen palm trees along the 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street.

In this edition: a Castro nightclub appears closer to reopening, a new hair removal salon has been proposed, an unnamed coffee shop fills a long-vacant space, and another coffee shop opens while one remains temporarily closed.

The future of car-free Saturdays and Sundays along a two-block section of Castro's 18th Street is uncertain and on indefinite pause after the Castro Merchants cut ties with its event producer.

Cozy Castro bar Last Call (3988 18th St. at Sanchez St.) is set to reopen next week under new ownership after a 17-month hiatus caused by the shelter-in-place restrictions.

Bright Star Pilates studio is now open at 493 Sanchez St. (at 18th St.), formerly Unionmade men's store.

Pastrami sandwich shop Hot Johnnie's is now open at 4077 18th St., in the former Nizario's space, and it has a surprise back patio.

The closure adds to the many retail vacancies on the block. Coldwell Banker closed its real estate office just last month.

Art House SF gallery is now open at 2324 Market St., in the space formerly occupied by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Church and Market wine bar Fig & Thistle Market (691 14th St.) has now become Millay, under the same ownership, with more of a focus on the wine bar aspect.

Freeborn Designs, in the former Flying Falafel/Socialhaus/Outfit space at 463 Castro, offers a variety of custom-tailored suits, blazers, and vests for both men and women.

Castro arcade bar and restaurant The Detour is set to reopen Monday, July 5, after hitting the pause button in October and temporarily closing due in part to COVID-19.

The Church and Market Safeway has moved all its shopping carts inside the store after 160 carts were stolen in recent weeks.

Here's a brief roundup of recent changes to Castro area businesses. In this edition: a designer consignment shop temporarily moves, a nightclub announces its reopening, and a sandwich shop closes.

Construction on the final phase of the Upper Market Street Safety Project is set to begin Thursday, July 1. The project aims to increase safety and comfort for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike on Upper Market Street between Octavia Boulevard and Castro Street. 

Just in time for Pride Weekend, SoMa LGBTQ+ bar SF Eagle (398 12th St.) has announced it will reopen Friday after an 15-month pandemic induced temporary closure.

On Wednesday, the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza released preliminary designs for the redo of Castro's Harvey Milk Plaza during a virtual public meeting.

Early Friday morning, the driver of a vehicle crashed into and destroyed two parklets at Church and Market streets. 

After months of delays, the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit (Castro CBD) held a virtual town hall Tuesday about its proposal to install a private network of 125 security cameras, and it was highly contentious.

The Castro's newest cannabis retailer Flore Store (258 Noe St.) has announced its grand opening on 4/20 — across the street from Flore a.k.a. Cafe Flore.

On Tuesday the Gilbert Baker Foundation in partnership with the GLBT Historical Society unveiled a new Pride Flag pop-up art exhibit "In Their Own Eyes" at Harvey Milk's former camera shop at 575 Castro Street.

On Monday, the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District (Castro CBD) voted to scuttle its proposal to install a private network of 125 security cameras.

Just this week, Cruisin' the Castro Walking Tours announced in-person tours have resumed, and she's released a new 45-minute virtual tour titled "The Castro - A Community Advocating for Equality."

A new Italian restaurant called Vico Cavone will be opening this fall inside the former Firewood space at 4248 18th Street, helmed by a former server at Poesia.

A new board game shop as moved into the former Comic Book Beardies, a new sushi spot has opened in the former Miyabi space, and more.

After undergoing a complete renovation, a notorious Castro neighborhood building at 517-519 Sanchez Street (near 18th Street) has sold for $4.8 million.