Tenderloin Blog

Well, shit! Fly, the bar and restaurant that has stood at the corner of Sutter and Larkin for over 15 years, has been sold and will become a Tahoe lodge-themed bar. I think I heard all of the employees are being let go. I suggest you enjoy their grub and specials while they last. Word is Fly goes dark in about 3 months from now.

In what is becoming a more and more familiar sight, the J&E corner store at Larkin and O’Farrell has shuttered with a rent hike and will sit empty until an expensive place can move in. Property owners can taste the gentrification profits in their foaming mouths as this western edge of the ‘Loin is eroded. 

Rec and Parks would like to know what changes you’d like to see to improve children’s Macaulay Park on Larkin, between Geary and O’Farrell.

Jackalope, the bar formerly known as Mark’s Bar, formerly known as Lush Lounge, is looking to expand their square footage by knocking out the wall and taking over the Western Union space next door. Conditional Use meeting on August 4th if you have something to say about it. Corner of Polk and Post.

Hero Shop is now open at the former Bamboo Bike Shop location on Post, between Larkin and Hyde. I went and looked up what this place is and found a nauseating article about how it’s going to be a fashion outpost in SF because the New York owner thinks we’re slobs and need saving. Fuck that.

Better late than never, Barber Walter’s massive barbershop is open - I had no idea it expanded so far back! Go check it out. I’m sure the rent ain’t cheap and opening a new business isn’t either. Larkin, between Sutter and Post.

White Walls gallery owner, Justin Giarla, has closed up and left town. And abandoned his truck on the streets of San Francisco for the City to clean up. Justin was somewhat notorious for not paying some artists their fair share (here’s a Ripoff Report and here’s Spoke gallery owner, Ken Harman, calling him out on Facebook). His reputation even inspired a sticker that could be seen around the neighborhood that said, “Justin Giarla STILL Owes Me Money.” I guess when some long-standing places leave the city these days, it isn’t all bad. Geary, between Larkin and Hyde.

Lafayette Coffee is once again open! Go swing by and give them some business. Larkin, between Eddy and Ellis.

New paint up in Olive alley. Olive, between Polk and Larkin.

Hyde Away Blues, the little BBQ kitchen that could, closed. It probably closed some time ago, but I hadn’t been by in over a year. Always enjoyed it and the owner was the sweetest. You’ll be missed in the ‘hood!

Dog-friendly Norton's. Larkin, between Eddy and Turk.

Jerusalem Market at the corner of Larkin and Sutter closed a little while back. Don't you love that all of these businesses that have been here forever are being replaced with empty shells because the commercial rent is ridiculous!?

Beware of killjoys.

No pride in our homelessness. Police swept away the Tenderloin Flea Market for Pride. Guess it was too close to the corporate-sponsored party zone. All part of Ed Lee's master homeless plan of Camouflage Not Care.

The window Cafe Zitouna tried opening years ago, but ran afoul of permitting, looks to be close to opening as a different kind of restaurant - Tunisian bunh-mi at "reasonable prices!". Definitely looking forward to trying it! We could use some reasonably priced new shit in the 'hood. Polk between Sutter & Post.