Sources tell us that Simply Chic and GNC are closing. Can't say we're suprised. Simply Chic has been clearing out merchandise and fixtures for months but denies they're going out of business. When asked, GNC also denies it (but when have you ever seen anyone one there?). So still just rumors.With all the spaces turning over on 24th St we wonder: what does Noe Valley need?
More Nails/Waxing? (Nooooo....!)
Restaurants (no more Conditional Use permits -- can this be changed?)
Realtors? (Not a value-add)
Fishmonger/Butcher?
Gas station?
Parking lot?
Baby stroller parts/repair?
What do you leave the neighborhood for? Since Whole Foods is opening later this year, now is the time for new retail to establish itself. What should it be? Input in the comments, please.
[NVSF: Closed: Riki]
[NVSF: Blight: Real Foods]
[NVSF: Forget Whole Foods - Noe Needs a Parking Lot]
[NVSF: Update: Planning Commission October 23, 2008]
Noe needs some restaurants with panache (vs. the predominantly frumpy collection we currently have). With the best weather in the city, more outdoor seating would be fantastic (a la Belden lane). Is it too much to ask for at least one Michelin starred restaurant in the area?
ReplyDeleteZabars. Carnegie Deli. Or any decent Jewish deli, IMHO. I want someplace that serves decent rye bread, chopped liver, pastrami, whitefish spread, danish, and rugulah.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the other day how nice it would be to have a fishmonger. Who can we lobby?
ReplyDeleteNot just a fishmonger, but a good all-purpose butcher would be great. I'm tired of trekking down the hill to Alhambra on 24th for my lamb.
ReplyDeleteI guess Whole Foods will help with that.
Please, no more cutesy boutiques. Maybe the current economic situation will have the pleasing, unexpected result of making the neighborhood a little bit more practical and a little less Union Street.
Good fastish food is what we need: Vietnamese, pupuseria, (a good, i.e., not the one that's currently across from Cala) taqueria, dim sum, hot dog cart, fast Indian, etc. A good produce mart like 30th St produce would also be good. No more nail salons, no more "boutiques", I want a good hot dog or kabob when I'm strolling my kid up to Phoenix.
ReplyDeleteI second the votes for a deli, produce store (Golden Produce, open a Noe store!), or butcher/fishmonger. Good, interesting fastish food like that new Indian place on 18th near Sanchez would be good. I love shopping, but please, no more boutiques.
ReplyDeleteI've been wishing for a good Thai (or Japanese) Noodle place - simple, delicious, with take-out option and a few seats!
ReplyDeleteWe need nice, inexpensive, healthy restaurants (like Savor and Pasta Pomodoro) that have table service and good food but don't break the bank. We have enough nice restaurants (Firefly, Incanto, La Ciccia, Fresca, Lupa, Bacco, etc.) and plenty of casual pizza and burger places. That, or a Pluto's would be fantastic!
ReplyDeletewhole Foods is going to take care of the independent fish monger/butcher. However, you can go down to Drews on 30th and Day they are amazing and very helpful.
ReplyDeleteWhole Foods will handle produce, fish and meats. I second the other person that said affordable, tasty, healthy fast-ish food. A great ramen place like Genki, Udon shop like Hotei, Indian like Kasa, etc. I also love the idea of a good Jewish deli!!! We could also use a modern kids furniture/accessories store, Crate and Barrel type home accessories store, a great t-shirt/sweatshirt shop like Upper Playground and a modern gift shop for presents like the MOMA store. I would love to see a tea lounge like Samovar, and a casual, affordable WINE BAR with tiny bites- like cicchetti pubs in Venice.
ReplyDelete@kitchen bitch: Agreed, Drewes Bros Meats is FANTASTIC. A great neighborhood resource. I slow-cooked a pork shoulder from there this weekend that knocked everyone's socks off.
ReplyDeleteFYI They are actually at 1706 Church bet. 29th St and Day St.
http://www.drewesbros.com/
I'd love more restaurants, casual or first-class. Nothing wrong with the current selection, they just get kinda boring when you eat out most nights.
ReplyDeleteLooks like almost all the commenters want more eating places -- so why do we still have that stupid restaurant moratorium? In this economic climate, we should be happy for any business that wants to move to the neighborhood, not keep out a whole sector.
Restaurants are hard because the residents who live above or behind the restaurants are not super keen on them. You wouldn't be either if you had to deal with the smells, vermin, trash, and noise.
ReplyDeleteDrewes Bros is more than great! I'll keep going there over Whole Foods in the future. The produce place down the street from Drewes at 30th/Church is also both great and affordable.
ReplyDeleteI think we need more like the new place that just opened off 24th on Diamond, "Just Awesome". A game store that offers a game room to play in! Interactive places with activities, like Terra Mia, so that it's not just dining. Also, Noe Valley Deli offers substantial and delicious sandwiches and more for a decent price and quickly!
How about a real gym like a Crunch fitness? Perfect location would be the old real foods, now that we have WF...
ReplyDeleteI'd just stroll down Union Street, or University Avenue in Palo Alto and see what we're missing. Would it be too much to wish for an Apple Store? ;-) Wine bar? Verizon Wireless store? Jamba Juice? Outdoor/fitness store?
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