I was feeling a little nostalgic, so I decided to make one last shopping trip to Delano’s for old time’s sake.  It was fairly disarming to witness firsthand the depleted shelves and bins throughout the store.  A few other shoppers milled about, almost seeming more interested in surveying the scene than picking out groceries. 

A somber air permeated the place, and not even the sounds of ABBA emanating from the tinny overhead speakers could shake out the funk.

Some of the more depressing shelves (plus an UPLIFTING STORY and an UPDATE!!!), after the jump:

Unexpectedly, there was no indication from the pricing that the store would be soon be closing, as everything seemed to hover at the same usual price (like the $7 block of Queso Fresco).  There was just a lot less of it. 

The deli section where you could previously find the bourgeois cheese and hummus has now become a mere bleach and styrofoam cooler receptacle:

Only one pack of spinach tortillas left.  But I guess the bread section was always kind of underwhelming to start with:

Fortunately, an uplifting exchange took place at the checkout to kind of  lighten up the foreboding mood.  The woman in line ahead of me was discussing with the checker the rumors of the stores impending closure.  The checker was obviously stressed out, and confirmed that nobody from management had told the staff anything about what might be happening. 

However, the woman said that a call to corporate had revealed that decisions were still being made regarding the outcome of the store.  Reduced hours are one possibility, and a smaller selection already seems assured.

Hopefully they don’t reduce the hours too much, though, since it seems that, judging from commenters in the last post, the late hours (and exceedingly cheerful and polite staff) are what keep people coming back to this embattled institution.  If you don’t want to see this place go, I suppose a call to corporate yourself couldn’t hurt:

(415) 381-6700

UPDATE!!! 

KevMo was also there last night and talked to another employee who said they won’t be closing until October!  Good news for the moment!  Let’s hope it sticks.

Previously:

Delano’s IGA on the Ropes?

Who Needs Delano’s Anyway?

 Really Tasty Sandwich at Delano’s

Organic Aisle Now at South Van Ness IGA

Could the vultures soon be circling the dessicated carcass of the Mission’s most convenient late-night supermarket?  Inquisitive reader Ann C. expresses her concern:

I was wondering if you guys know anything about the DeLano’s on 23rd and South Van Ness supposedly closing.  I noticed they were missing produce on Monday, and I asked one of the employees if they were remodeling.  He said they were actually supposed to CLOSE THE STORE that day, but it got postponed. 

I want that DeLano’s to stay open!!! It’s convenient and it’s not a Whole Foods.  I even like that it’s not a Safeway because it’s not crowded ever, and the employees that work there are really nice.  Can you guys look into this or something?   One of the checkers told me to contact DeLano’s and try to tell them to keep it open (415-381-6700). 

Has anyone else heard anything about this development?

It wouldn’t be completely unexpected, since supermarkets not named Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s have been having a notoriously rough go of it lately, as evidenced by the recent closure of the Nob Hill Cala Foods, which was replaced by (what else?) condos.  And let’s not forget that this particular South Van Ness location used to be a Cala Foods itself once before (and a Siris long before that, but that’s a whole other story for another time):

It’s difficult to keep up with the cheap produce prices at the myriad corner markets around the neighborhood.  Casa Lucas and the like are tough to beat with that 4 for a dollar avocado special.  I think Duc Loi is still going strong, but they cover a completely different niche.  And Ann herself does admit that the place is never even crowded.

Nonetheless, I would hate to see this place go, especially because the people that work there are soooo nice, and it’s great to have a place to turn when your hectic lifestyle precludes you from going grocery shopping until 1am.

BUMMERZ UPDATE!!!  Commenter Paul Valdez says:

Yes, it is true. Checker, Michelle, told me last weekend that they will close in one week. Too bad. Yes, they were all nice and the Delano family could’ve given that location some ‘attention’…

[Photos by Romleys, who seems to have somewhat of a penchant for supermarket history]