San Francisco - Retail & Industry

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.

The Pacific Heights purveyor of jade vagina eggs and quack-science ‘calming mists’ was open for but four months, and could not muster up the wellness to survive the pandemic.

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.

A new "Welcome Center and Counterculture Museum Shop for the Haight” brings a breath of fresh air, and bouquets of fresh flowers, as boutique shop Haight & Ashbury celebrates the neighborhood's rich history.

One of San Francisco’s original cannabis dispensaries will be back at a new location, as ReLeaf gets Planning Commission approval right at the SF-Daly City border.

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.

Unlicensed street vendors are slinging beers, shots, and cocktails on the wharf’s walkways, and an obscure state law prevents the Port of San Francisco from cracking down.

The largest hotel on the west coast is back in business Monday, May 24th, but not at full capacity, and not with its 46th floor panoramic-view bar just yet.

San Francisco’s biggest employer reopened its very big headquarters to employees, in the city’s most significant office reopening yet.

The new old-school, must-have garment is a limited edition Derby jacket with Muni-inspired illustrations by celebrated artist Jeremy Fish.

A new custom fine jewelry workshop Nick Engel & Co., which has been downtown for about 12 years, has opened in the Castro at 4011 18th St., formerly Mini-Chic and Turkish Modern.

In this edition: a barbershop reopens, a social club expands, a hair salon temporarily moves, and a community group has launched an online survey about the redesign of Harvey Milk Plaza.

The pared-down ‘Target Express’ store on Ocean Avenue near City College just got its pink slip, and will close in late June.

The storefront at 575 Castro Street, which for over a decade has been home to a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) merchandise store but which was once the home of the camera store out of which Harvey Milk did much of his early political work, may be destined to become a national historic site. HRC announced that they are vacating the space in April, and the landlord has hinted at something "much larger" on the way.

The 7-Eleven convenience store at 3998 18th St. (at Noe St.) has permanently closed, and Hoodline has learned its last day in business was Thursday, March 4.

A volunteer-run used bookstore in the Financial District, run out of some window alcoves near Bush and Montgomery, has a more secure future after signing a 10-year lease.

Castro's apartment-ready plant shop Plant Therapy has outgrown its current location at 2095 Market St. (at Church St.) and opens tomorrow in a new, larger location.

Walgreens posted signs last week at its location on the corner of Bush and Larkin streets announcing it will close permanently at 3 p.m. on March 17, 2021.

Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo announced Friday — via a filing with the state employment department — that it is closing its nine-year-old Union Square location at 111 Powell Street for good and laying off all 69 employees.

Three personal services businesses, Great Tan, Salon Six, and Face It Salon & Spa, have all announced permanent closures in recent weeks, nine months after their businesses were hobbled by shelter-in-place restrictions.

Businesses throughout San Francisco have struggled with theft and break-ins during the pandemic, and the founder of electronics and housewares retailer b8ta recently took to Twitter in an effort to demand action.

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.

SF’s only Marshalls location has its days numbered, as the discount apparel retailer will close its Market Street store.

After 25 years in the Castro, vintage gay memorabilia store Auto Erotica (4077A 18th St., between Castro and Hartford streets) has turned to crowdfunding to help make it through the pandemic

The Moscone Center says it faced declining business even before the pandemic, but the city is loath to help amidst COVID-19 budget deficits.