On Tuesday evening Steve Fox opened up the doors to the space at 1096 South Van Ness, future home of his mini golf restaurant bar, Urban Putt, and let people wander inside and look around. The former mortuary was most recently renovated to be a bar and club, but retains a lot of the original flair and regality of a classy/cheesy 20th Century mortuary, including some creepy little brick chambers and a stairway to nowhere in the basement. I spoke with Steve and his designer Christopher Myers about their plans.

The plans for the holes are pretty ambitious and sound like they’re going to be a lot of fun to make. As someone who has also built an indoor park with building exteriors in this neighborhood, it’s right up my alley. Many of the holes are going to be locally themed, recreating monuments and places from San Francisco that go beyond the typical postcard locals, such as the spot where the 1906 Earthquake survivors meet every year. There will also be a private room to rent out, bars around the space and dining upstairs. We wrote about Urban Putt previously here.

Anyway, back to the holes, most of them will be on the main floor, but some will also lead the golfers into side rooms where they will step into a submarine environment. The fabrication will happen on site and Steve is looking to include local artists/designers to help create one or two of the holes. You can contact him if you’re interested.

(...)
Read the rest of Inside Urban Putt

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Adobe Books is almost all settled in their new cozy location at 24th Street, and they want to invite you over to check out their new home!

Come to our first ever event in our new location! Our Marketplace event is this Saturday May 18th. Join us as we invite local artists and merchants to sell out of the brand new Adobe books. Browse the wares of your talented Bay Area comrades like Ryan De La Hoz and Amos Goldbaum, and enjoy music by DJs Melissa Funk, Tylawave & Andy Pabstalaniec, as well as food & drinks by Rainbow Grocery and Speakeasy Ales and Lagers. All bar proceeds and 10% of sales from the marketplace will be donated to help open the new Adobe Books.

See the whole list of participants after the jump, and check out the FB event page here.

(...)
Read the rest of Come party at Adobe Books new home on 24th St!

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Time sure flies! Seems like it was only yesterday N&P was at its original location on 14th Street and I was still in school and too poor to even be able to afford a little zine. But I loved browsing. Now Needles & Pens is on 16th Street and I am rich and can afford all the zines I desire. Cheers to us!

The celebration (at Luggage Store NOT Needles & Pens) is Friday and features performances by Tara Jane Oneil, Strawberry Smog and WR/DS, and works by all these luminaries:

Amy Browne, Andrew McKinley, Andrew Schoultz, Austin McManus, Bill Daniel, Brigid Dawson, Chris Duncan, Chris Johanson, Chrissy Piper, Daniel Higgs/Kyle Ranson, David Benzler, Deuce 7, Edie Fake, Griffin McPartland, Hamburger Eyes, Hilary Pecis, Jason Jägel, Jay Howell, Jay Nelson, Jeff Canham, Jeremy Fish, Joey Alone, John Dwyer, Jovi Schnell, Julianna Bright, Kevin Earl Taylor, Know Hope, Kyle Field, Kyle Ranson, Lena Wolff, Maria Forde, Mary Joy Scott, Mat Obrien, Matt Furie, Maya Hayuk, Mike Brodie, Miriam Stahl, Monica Canilao, Nathaniel Russell, Nick Mann, Nigel Peake, Nikki McClure, Oliver Halsman Rosenberg, Orfn, Orion Shepherd, Other, Pacolli, Paul Schiek, Paul Urich, Paul Wackers, Pez, Ray Potes, Richard Coleman, Rich Jacobs, Russ Pope, Sam McPheeters, Serena Mitnik Miller, Stefan Simikich, Tauba Auerbach, Ted Pushinski, Thomas Campbell, Tim Kerr, Xara Thustra

Can’t wait!

[Photo by ! !]

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Not all seem to be as happy about it as you might expect.  The Priceonomics Blog took an in-depth look, asking some local tattoo parlors about the increasingly-popular phenomenon:

Despite the rebel associations of tattoos, artists recognize that what they do “changes people” and they exercise that responsibility wisely. Every tattoo artist we met described talking with teenagers who came in asking for tattoos on their face, hands, or other visible areas. Tattoos aren’t as taboo as they once were, but even with adults, artists recommend that people don’t get tattoos in visible places unless they’re established, retired, or in a more welcoming industry.

Why give up the possibility for profit? “Because it’s the right thing to do,” Paul Stoll, owner of Body Manipulations in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood told us. “You don’t want to go home knowing that you changed an 18 year old’s life for the worse. Tattoos should be empowering. They should change people for the better. They shouldn’t be a mask.” Paul asked for a face tattoo when he was young. The artist told him that he’d do it if Paul still wanted it in a year. He never got it.

Read on.

[Photo]

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[fake real estate billboard featuring 17 Reasons that I painted in 2007]

This came in to us today from Rick Holman, who says that he is concerned about misinformation spreading about what he intends to do with his property on the southeast corner of 17th and Mission:

Open letter to the Mission and San Francisco from the owner of 2102 Mission Street Neighbors:

I’m Rick Holman. I am a fifth-generation San Franciscan and I have recently purchased the Redlick Building at 2101-2125 Mission Street (you may know it as the 17 Reasons Building.). We’re pleased to own this well-known San Francisco building. We plan to maintain it as it is: bustling with unique, San Francisco and Mission-oriented businesses. However, I’ve been distressed by some rumors that are being spread. I’d like to set the record straight.

We have no intention to tear down the building, convert the building to lofts or condos, or otherwise change its fundamental character or use. Some have pointed to the soils testing currently underway as evidence that we’re about to convert the building to condos. The soil is being tested to better understand the Building’s significant seismic issues. We intend to address the issues once we fully understand them. We want the tenants and visitors to be safe when they’re in the Building. Also, there is no intention to build an underground parking structure. The Building sits on Mission Creek, making the construction of an underground parking garage at the site nearly impossible.

Let’s be clear: we didn’t buy the Redlick Building to leave it completely alone – that would be a disservice to our tenants. We are making positive changes. The Building was porous; there were many ways for unwelcome visitors to get inside. Locks and doors didn’t close correctly, and the parking lot gate was broken and would not close. So the faulty door has been fixed. The numerous broken locks have been replaced with locks that are the same as the ones on the Mission Street doors. We have distributed more than 70 new keys to our tenants, free of charge. The Building now has security personnel in the Building to discourage the unwelcome visitors. We’ve replaced over 100 burned-out lights in stairwells and hallways, cleaned the storefront windows and cleaned out drains. We have started the process of investing a significant amount of money in improving the Building elevators and HVAC system – money we want to spend to make this Building better.

We have heard we replaced the management of the Building. T and Aldo are still here, and Julio has joined the management crew. I am also here almost every day. There are now twice as many people in the Building to assist the tenants combining the old with new energy.

There are rumors that we are planning to evict all of our tenants. This is completely untrue. Let’s be clear: I have indeed initiated one eviction, for a group of people illegally occupying one of the units. (This is the first eviction process I have ever engaged in, by the way.) But we are already in conversation or negotiation with many of the other tenants regarding the extension of their leases and tenancies. The ground floor retail tenants, Thrift Town, Fabric Outlet and A&A Bargains, are important Mission District businesses. We hope that they remain tenants here for many years to come.

I regret that some have chosen to spread unfounded rumors about the future of the Redlick Building. However, we’re confident that the changes we’re making will provide a better, safer, and more positive experience for our tenants and visitors.

Thank you for taking the time to read this note.

Rick Holman Mission Street SF LLC

This seems like as good a time and place as any to ask Holman any legitimate questions or pose any concerns you have about the future of this building and the businesses it houses. As a longtime resident of the neighborhood I know that I am hopeful that he will indeed keep the current thriving businesses intact and agree with him that they are important to the fabric (pun unfortunately intended) of our neighborhood.

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While Adobe Books has fortunately managed to find a new home on 24th Street, the question of Liz Clairborne-backed Jack Spade moving into their former location still remains.  Among those opposed to the technicality-skirting men’s boutique is the Valencia Corridor Merchants Association (VCMA), who went to the Department of Building Inspection yesterday to log a complaint against the plans of Jack Spade to open up a 10th store on the Valencia Corridor.  Jefferson, Vice President of the VCMA, explains their case:

They had 7 stores when they applied for a LOD (Letter of Determination) from the Planning Department. Planning confirmed that they were not formula retail at the time but cautioned that if they opened up 3 more stores their status would change.

Next week the VCMA will finalize and submit a letter to the planning department to express the business communities’ opposition to their presence on the Valencia corridor.

Rumor also has it that Jack Spade craftily attempted to partner with Dave Eggers’ 826 Valencia in an effort to establish some neighborhood clout, but that the non-profit writing center turned them down.  It’s still too early to say how the city will respond, but could this situation unfold the same way as the Valencia American Apparel that never was?

[Photo via UA]

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Tierra Mia Coffee, a southern California-based coffee shop, is moving into the Mission and Valencia storefront formerly known as Caffeinated Comics and more recently the short-lived Way Out Cafe. It seems well-loved in LA, but running a cafe in that location has so far bombed. We’ll see if they can overcome that curse and San Francisco’s general coffee snobbery.

Personally, I’m not interested in any coffee beans that haven’t passed through the digestive tract of an Asian palm civet.

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Last month’s party at Adobe was a smashing success, but there’s still more work that needs to be done!  Fortunately, eclectic indie rockers The Dodos are headlining a benefit for the embattled bookstore that includes some other notable names:

Our Indiegogo campaign still has a long way to go (http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-adobe-books). We have until March 15th to raise the remaining 25K. Thankfully a bunch of talented musician are friends of the store, and are joining forces for a benefit show this Monday at Public Works. Thanks to their generosity we have a real chance of making our goal, and creating a new Adobe that is everything we love about the old Adobe and more.

THE DODOS
ADAM STEPHENS (OF THE TWO GALLANTS)
THE TAMBO RAYS
SPECIAL GUEST TBA
DJ ANDY CABIC (OF VETIVER)

Doors at 7pm, Music at 8pm
$20 in advance (via Indiegogo)
$25 at the door

Check out all the details here!

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Despite being one of the most revered community institutions in the neighborhood, Adobe Books has had some rough luck lately, but fortunately there’s a dedicated group of locals who have been working on a plan to ensure that this important resource sticks around:

10 months ago when we heard that Adobe Books was about to be forced out of business by a 4k per month rent increase, we formed a group to try to save it. Adobe has been such an important part of our lives as artists, writers, book lovers, and Mission dwellers — not only for the books, but for the impromptu events and gatherings; the gallery featuring local artists; the discussions, friendships and connections it has nurtured among us; and the generous, welcoming spirit of the place — that we couldn’t see the neighborhood without it.

We hope to create a new Adobe that is everything we love about the old Adobe and more — with a sustainable business plan that can become a model for other efforts like ours to keep culture, the arts, and small businesses alive in our communities. Come see a preview of our new vision this Saturday.

We’ll be hosting some of the Mission’s finest artists and entertainers:
Reading by Marina Lazzara, Chris Carlsson, Maw Shein Win, & Sarah Wishby from 7-8
Music by DJ Carnita (Hard French), 8-10:30
Photo booth by Shot in the City, 8-9:30
Rocky’s Frybread, 8:30-10:30
Snacks generously provided by our friends at Rainbow Grocery
After donation, complimentary drinks provided by Speakeasy, Trumer Pils, and Broadside wine
Participating Pop-ups: Hearth Coffee Roasters, Golden Collective, The Explorist International Records, Second World Farms

RSVP and invite your friends here, and don’t forget to check out the Save Adobe crowdfunding campaign!

[Photo via Fecal Face]

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(Thanks, LiJia!)

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Farmgirl rules. Here’s the deal:

• No Waste: We offer one daily arrangement of beautiful, local and seasonal flowers and greens. For Valentine’s Day, you may get Cymbidium Orchids, non-red Roses, Tulips, Lisianthus, Anemones, Ranunculus, Kale & Scabiosa, depending upon is available with our growers that week.
• Field-to-vase: We work directly with local farmers to source only the freshest flowers.
• Recycled packaging and low-emission: We use recycled vase and reused burlap coffee bags from San Francisco-based Ritual Roasters and our bouquets are delivered via bike courier.

Lovely! Browse today’s options here. (Bouquet in a burlap sack, bouquet in a reused vase, or a LIVING PLANT.)

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The Bold Italic asked them why:

We were so sad to hear you’re closing up shop. Why is The Curiosity Shoppe closing?

Don’t be sad! The simple answer is that it’s time. We’ve had an amazing run and met so many unbelievably creative and talented people through the Shoppe, we just feel that now is the right time to open up some space in our lives for other creative opportunities.

We keep hearing about the rising rents on Valencia St. You guys have been there for years – were rent prices factors in your decision at all?

No. This wasn’t a financial decision, it was a creative one. That being said, of course the neighborhood is changing, and it is a lot of work to run a business in the Mission. But we never wanted to be anywhere else, and in the time since we opened we’ve seen Valencia go from a local destination to a national (and even international) one as well. We’re extremely proud of all of the other small businesses in the neighborhood that continue to make it such a unique and inspiring place.

Read on for talk of their future plans, their collab with Target and more.

Oh and note that the online shop is closing too, so get it while the getting’s good.

[Photo by Street View]

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We are testing online ordering tonight at MCF San Francisco. Give it a try if you were thinking about ordering. missionchinesefood.com/sf

— Mission Street Food (@Missionstfood) January 30, 2013

My pro tip with Mission Chinese has always been to go for lunch or order takeout to avoid that 2-hour horribly disorganized wait-list BS. Well starting tonight you’ll be able to place your order online here. Hell, they will even deliver orders over $20.

Go ahead, slam them with more traffic and convince them it was a bad idea.

Update: I think they meant Thursday night. Mission Chinese is closed Wednesdays, as several commenters pointed out.

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[via Kwan Henmi Architecture]

Otto Venta recently snapped some shots from the current interior:

Over the past couple of weeks they have been liquidating their stock at 50% off, including the following near-luxury fragrances:

[photo via Chirp]

Even though I’ve only set foot in the building a handful of times, I’ve always admired the huge block letters on their facade and intimidating selection of 1970s deadstock goods at reasonable prices. What’s it going to be like in a post-Giant Value world? Will our children’s values not be as giant? Will the boxy condos stay true to the spirit of their ancestors and offer affordable housing? (Not-fucking-likely)

Check below for some of Mission Mission’s Giant Value posts over the years. And what the hell, if Giant Value meant anything to you, please share your fondest or worst memories in the comments. Maybe you picked up a bottle of BOOS cologne and it sealed the deal on a first date you were nervous about. Perhaps you remember how devastated the community was when they switched the words from “VALUE GIANT” to “GIANT VALUE”. Or how about that time Apple maps took you there when you were really trying to find the SF Giants ballpark?

Selected comments will be printed on a commemorative plaque to be installed in the sidewalk in front of the building. (Not-fucking-likely)

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One of our rare high-school readers Asher (say, what do people who are too young to drink in SF do, anyway?) spotted this in a window on 19th and Valencia this weekend. Boba Guys is getting their own storefront. Renovations are under way and they are looking into an Asian-themed food vendor pairing.

Chamalyn, another boba place, previously occupied this space and apparently didn’t survive the competition. Judging from all the Asian ‘tweens I saw filing into Boba Guys’ current 18th st. location this past Sunday, they’ve definitely got the market pegged.

By the way, try their almond jelly in lieu of tapioca. It’s homemade, and it’s bangin’. You can’t make as good spitballs with it, though.

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