Closing: Delano's IGA Market

A reader sent this over the weekend:

It's not exactly Noe Valley but close to [enough to] warrant. Was just at [Delano's] in the Castro and noticed a lot of special 'sales'... Talked to the cashier and she said they are closing up in like 1-2 weeks. They announced this news on Wednesday (just before Thanksgiving). Bummer - she said she did not know why nor what will come into its place.

Then last night the RichmondSF blog posted that the Delano's on Geary is closing, which makes it likely that the South Van Ness location will also close. And with SocketSite reporting that the planned Market St Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are unlikely to pan out we could see more people coming over the hill to the Noe Valley Whole Foods.

[RSF: CLOSING: Delano’s Market at 27th & Geary; possible bankruptcy]
[SocketSite: Trader Joe’s Reportedly "Outed" From The Castro Over Traffic]
[SocketSite: Whole Foods Concerned About Market (Street), Delaying On Haight]
[Flickr: delanosiga]

Drewes Meats: Now With Turducken

Drewes Meats has been almost-not-quite-going-out-of-business-and-still-hanging-in-there for over 100 years on the outer corridor of Church Street. This year it is reinventing itself with... Turducken.

Via 7x7 magazine:

"Just for the holidays, they've got free range, all natural Willie Bird Turkeys at $3.09/lb, while the organic ones start at $4.29/lb, and go up to 32 lbs! Petite Diestel turkeys start at $3.09/lb, while organic ones go for $4.29/lb. Drewes Brothers also do smoked turkeys, chickens and cornish game hens, as well as house made Turducken for the first time! They've been getting more orders for Turducken than expected so call ahead and reserve one by the 22nd. They're stuffed with andouille sausage, cranberries and pinenuts, and range from $135-150. They'll also brine your birds for you, for $4.99/lb. They'll take your bird orders until the day before Thanksgiving."

Drewes Bros. Meats 1706 Church Street, (415) 821-0515

[7x7: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Getting Your Turkey SF]
[Image: Drewes]

Ode to the SLM

Lotto? Check. Thunderbird? Check. Pack of cigs for the kids? Check. Late-night munchies? Got you covered. Cheap sandwiches with no pretense? Got that too. Everything you can't get at Whole Foods. Fact is, we visit these corner stores when everywhere else is closed, or when we can’t walk more than 75 steps for a carton of milk or stick of butter. These (in the words of a coworker from long ago) “shitty little markets” (SLMs) are scattered throughout Noe. You have to wonder, are they disappearing as Noe evolves, will they adapt or will they always have a place just as they are?

A few SLMs from around the hood:

1401 Church St at 26th St

1601 Church St at 28th St

1598 Sanchez at 29th St

1001 Castro St at 22nd St

Whole Foods Countdown: Shuttle Service Ending

The shuttle service Whole Foods provides once a week to get seniors to other locations while Noe Valley waits for a new grocery store? Ending September 22nd.

Update (8/22): As noted in the comments, the Tuesday Farmer's Market will end this week on the 25th - Whole Foods wants their parking lot back. Today two different vendors told us that the organizers of the FM are not interested in negotiating for more space because they...ahem...disagree with the recent Op-Ed CEO John Mackey penned for the Wall Street Journal regarding health care reform. (That'll teach him.) Rumor is they're trying to organize another market elsewhere. Stay tuned.

[NVSF: Whole Foods: Senior Shuttle]
[NVSF: NVMPA: Help the Farmer's Market Help US!]

Approved: Whole Foods in Noe Valley

On February 19, 2009, the Planning Commission approved the conditional use application for Whole Foods in Noe Valley. There was a short public hearing, after which the Commissioners indicated how impressed they were with the project and the outreach to the community. The project includes standard conditions of approval. The Commission vote was unanimous.

Andrew Calabrese will continue to serve as community liaison for Whole Foods, but he's asked that all questions/concerns are sent to Noevalleyinfo@wholefoods.com. This address will forward to him. (We wouldn't be surprised if he'd like to tidy up his inbox.)

[NVSF: NVDC Town Forum: SFPD, Whole Foods & More]
[NVSF: Whole Foods Responds]
[NVSF: Update: Whole Foods]

Bell Market is Closed - Now What?

Bell Market, February 14, 2009

With Bell Market closing its doors on February 15, 2009, at 4:00PM, Noe Valley will be without a major grocer until Whole Foods opens next fall. Here's a list of local places to go until then (and perhaps after).

Noe Valley Farmer's Market
Every Saturday, 8:00AM - 1:00PM
3861 24th Street, between Sanchez and Vicksburg
http://www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com/

Seasonal, local, organic and natural fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, bread, nuts, honey. Also prepared food of the Mexican, Indian and smoothie varieties. Live music. Lots of strollers. Bonus: you get to meet your neighbors.

26th & Guerrero Market
1400 Guerrero Street
415-282-6274
http://www.26thandguerreromarket.com/

"Your Neighborhood Health Food Store"
Natural and organic fruits and vegetables, Acme Bread, vitamins/supplements, fresh flowers, beer, wine and liquor.

Valencia Farmer's Market
1299 Valencia Street @ 24th St
415-282-6863

Not truly a farmer's market but plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, bulk-bin cereal, and Kombucha. One block from the BART station.

Church Produce
1798 Church St @ 30th
415-282-1153

Strong mix of organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, olive bar. Church Produce was recommended by many commenters in a recent thread.

Casa Guadalupe
2909 Mission Street @ 25th St
415-642-8355

Full service market with fresh fruits/veggies, butcher, Latin-American specialties. Super affordable.

Drewes Bros. Meats
1706 Church St @ 29th St
415-821-0515
http://www.drewesbros.com/

"We are a full service butcher shop that specializes in only the highest quality products."
Meat, fish and poultry from Niman Ranch, Angus Meyer, Natural Hill. All-natural, free-range, no hormones antibiotics or preservatives. Special orders - no problem.

Fresh Meat Market
2704 Mission St @ 23rd St
415-550-8044

Fresh (read: wrigglng) fish, seafood, meat and poultry. Not organic or free-range, but you can get just about anything here super cheap.

24th Street Cheese Company
3893 24th Street @ Sanchez St
415-821-6658

Cheese! Also sausages, pâté, prosciutto, wine, olives, other specialty items.

Pasta Gina
741 Diamond St @ 24th St
415-282-0738

Fresh and frozen pasta, house-made sauces, prepared foods, wine, bread, cheeses, olives, and anything else for a quick dinner or picnic. And don't forget the cannoli!

And ... of course there are these options:

• Safeway (Diamond Heights or Mission St)
• Tower Market / Mollie Stone
• DeLano's IGA on South Van Ness

Please add suggestions, recommendations or testimony in the comments. Let Noe know what you love and why you love it.

[NVSF: Bell Market: Winding Down]
[NVSF: All posts tagged Whole Foods]
[NVSF: All posts tagged Farmer's Market]
[Photo: Pasta Gina -- Yelp]

Blight: Real Foods

A group we're going to call Evil Vitamins (since they don't self-identify, and regardless of the familiar artwork) has posted this flyer all over Noe Valley calling for action regarding the old Real Foods location at 3939 24th St:

5 Years Later - Real Foods is Still Empty!

After 5 years, it's time for the nighborhood to take back the Real Foods space!

Nutraceutical, the owner of Real Foods is not a good neighbor. Here's why:

• Lost 2 lawsuits for illegal labor practices
• Refused to meet with neighborhood groups
  
• Loss of large store hurts entire neighborhood

Here's how you can help:

1. Sign up for our mailing list (send email to evilvitamins@gmail.com)
   
2. Volunteer to help (1-2 hours max)
   
3. Boycott Nutraceutical Vitamins (Solaray, Veglife)

We agree - Nutraceutical has not been a good neighbor. That space has been empty for too long. They should give up their lease, and then Whole Foods should open a Wine, Cheese and Specialty Foods Annex to complement the store opening next fall across the street in the Bell Market space.

Have at it Noe Valley - make your voice heard. How do you think this space should be used?

[NVSF: NVV: We Read It So You Don't Have To]