The New Fillmore

Photograph at San Francisco Gymnastics by Kathi O’Leary

By Julia Irwin

AT SAN FRANCISCO GYMNASTICS at 1405 Fillmore, toddlers scramble over large geometric foam blocks, twirl colorful streamers and jump across a long trampoline track — all while waving to iPhone camera-wielding mothers. In recent months, the studio has made the move from its former location in the Presidio, re-establishing itself in the long-vacant ground floor of the Fillmore Center.

For owner Eric Van der Meer, the relocation has been well worth the effort: Its new home is easier to access both by car and public transportation and is also better maintained than the Presidio facility, which had no heat or running water.

And for Van der Meer, the atmosphere of Fillmore’s jazz district is another bonus.

“I feel very at home here,” he says. “I grew up in Holland, which is very diverse, and the middle of San Francisco reminds me of that. There are so many different nationalities, different cultures, and I think Fillmore represents that quite a bit, actually.”

Photograph at San Francisco Gymnastics by Kathi O’Leary

Read more »

Filed under: Body & Soul | Comments Off

Bud and Fran Johns moved from a four-story 1905 Edwardian into a condo.

FIRST PERSON | Fran Johns

Beyond the pain, angst and despair of downsizing, there is always a story. And there are questions: How can I convince my parent or spouse or partner that it’s time? Who’s going to take care of the logistics and legalities, not to mention the tricky finances? Will I lose my independence? Can I ever replace the old familiar neighborhood? Where’s the best place for me? Can we afford what we need?

I stewed over them all.

Read more »

Filed under: First Person | Comments Off

Photograph of 2800 Pacific Avenue by Michael David Rose

The annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase is now open in the neighborhood, this year at the top of Pacific Heights at 2800 Pacific Avenue. It features the work of more than two dozen local designers and invites the public to tour one of the iconic mansions designed by pioneering architect Ernest Coxhead.

SLIDE SHOW: Inside the 2013 showcase
EARLIER: A tour with the owner

Filed under: Art & Design, Home & Garden | Comments Off

Photographs of Forest Books at 1748 Buchanan by Kathi O’Leary

By Mark Mitchell

IN A TIME when so many people live nose deep in their electronic devices, opening a bookstore seems almost like a subversive act.

Still more subversive is opening a used bookstore. No screaming bestsellers. No fresh off the presses celebrity memoirs or political apologies from disgraced officials. Just a room full of books that have already passed through someone else’s hands.

Nonetheless, Forest Books is now open in Japantown at 1748 Buchanan Street.

Read more »

Filed under: Books | Comments Off

Adele Pomeroy shows customers the shop’s collection of estate jewelry.

LOCALS | Photographs & Text by Carina Woudenberg

At only 350 square feet, Mureta’s Antiques doesn’t take up much space at 2418 Fillmore, yet the wares inside originate from several continents and span centuries of time, from the Georgian era of the 1700s to the late Art Deco period.

And much of the shop’s contents — from the teacups stacked in the front window to the jewelry encased inside — is sourced from homes right here in the neighborhood.

Gary Mureta, who has owned the shop for 29 years, knew he wanted to be an antique dealer from a young age.

Read more »

Filed under: Locals | Comments Off

LOCALS | Chris Barnett

For centuries, historians, scholars and food lovers have argued over who invented the pizza. Greeks claim the honor with a round flatbread topped with meat, cheese, fruit and tree leaves that debuted in 1 B.C. Italians insist a baker in Naples was commissioned to create the first real pizza in 1889 to celebrate the visit of Queen Margherita.

Dino Stavrakikis wins either way. He’s half Greek and half Italian and for the past 25 years has been baking both styles of the humble pie in his corner pizza palace at Fillmore and California. During that time, Dino has done his damnedest to ensure its reputation as a fun, friendly, family-minded place to pop in for a slice, a plate of spaghetti and meatballs or a Greek salad. And diners needn’t worry about waiting an hour for a table or a seat at the bar — or being snubbed by a snooty maitre d’.

At Dino’s, the greeter is usually Dino himself or, during the week, his Uncle Nick Nickolas, a retired restaurant mogul as smooth as the silk sportcoats he wears. Indeed, the bigger risk is being schmoozed to death by Dino, Uncle Nick or any of the doughboys who have worked there 10 to 20 or 25 years, who know your name and what you like.
Read more »

Filed under: Food, Drink & Lodging, Locals | 1 Comment »

President Obama heads to his helicopter this morning at Crissy Field.

PRESIDENT OBAMA returned to the neighborhood yet again last night for dinner with deep-pocketed supporters at the Getty Mansion. He was greeted in San Francisco style by a raucous crowd of protesters opposing the Keystone pipeline, then introduced by the Gettys’ down-the-block neighbor, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi. Here’s the pool report on the event.

This morning Obama boarded Marine One down the hill at Crissy Field and headed to Silicon Valley.

EARLIER: Inside the Getty Mansion

Filed under: Politics | No Comments »

Photograph of New Chicago Barbershop #3 by Kathryn Amnott

By Chris Barnett

SAM JONES, aka “I’m just a Joe named Sam,” wandered into the tiny three-chair Esquire Barbershop at 1826 Geary one recent Saturday afternoon looking slightly stunned. Then Elijah Brown, a 21-year-old entrepreneur, stepped in the door with a quizzical look. A gent named Tim, a man of few words, came in a few minutes later, squinted, looked around, sat down in the porcelain and leather chair and asked, “Whazzup, whazzup?”

Good question.

All three men and a parade of others that day had gone first to the New Chicago Barbershop #3, a fixture at 1515 Fillmore Street for 60 years, for their regular trims and were shocked to find it closed and the phone disconnected. But they weren’t left entirely in the lurch. Wired to a metal security curtain were hand-lettered signs announcing that Kevin had moved to a shop at 1315 Fillmore at Eddy, Bobby had relocated to 1045 Fillmore and, on a printed poster, Al and Gail announced they were now cutting hair around the corner at the Esquire.

Al Stephens, who worked at the now-shuttered shop for 47 years, and Gail Pace, who worked there for 28, say they can’t explain why the shop closed. Charles Spencer, the shop’s current owner, cannot be reached.
Read more »

Filed under: Body & Soul, Landmarks, Locals, Neighborhood History | 2 Comments »

OPENING SOON in the former home of Johnny Rockets at the corner of Fillmore and Pine: Glaze, which is promising to bring Seattle-style teriyaki via New York to the edge of Japantown.

It’s the brainchild of Paul Krug and Ian McCormick, childhood friends in Seattle who loved their city’s signature brand of teriyaki introduced by Japanese immigrants and modified by a later wave of arrivals from Korea. They’ve already opened two outposts in New York, and the Fillmore shop establishes a beachhead on the west coast.

“I think we’re a great fit for Fillmore,” says McCormick. “The fabric of the city is so strong here.”

The average price is under $10, and everything on the menu will be locally sourced and made daily from scratch — much like their friends at Roam Burgers across the street.

The space will be outfitted with an open kitchen and lots of recycled wood, and they’re reclaiming the original century-old wooden floors. There will also be an outdoor patio out back with communal tables and heat lamps. “It’s a fun space,” says McCormick. “It’s unique for the street and perfect for the city.”

Filed under: Food, Drink & Lodging | No Comments »

Photograph at Fillmore and California by Dickie Spritzer

By Barbara Kate Repa

SPURRED BY CONCERNS that the local shopping district is losing its charm and uniqueness as corporate labels gobble up real estate on Fillmore Street, some business owners are now attempting to block a newcomer — Oska, a German-based clothing company — from moving into the neighborhood.

The charge is being led by Miyo Ota, owner of Mio, the women’s boutique at 2035 Fillmore. She has filed an appeal of a building permit issued earlier to refurbish the space at 2130 Fillmore just left vacant by Jet Mail, where Oska intends to open a boutique. The action suspends the permit until the San Francisco Board of Appeals hears testimony on the issue at City Hall on March 20.

UPDATE: At its March 20 hearing, the Board of Appeals allowed the landlord’s permit to make upgrades to the building’s foundation to go forward. A second permit allowing Oska to build out the interior, which was also challenged, will be heard by the board on May 15.

FURTHER UPDATE: At its May 15 meeting, the Board of Appeals ruled 4-1 that Oska is a chain store and must go through the city’s conditional use process before it can open on Fillmore Street.

Ota’s resolve to act against the retailer, which boasts more than 50 stores around the world, was stoked while on a recent buying trip to Paris, where she was strolling through the formerly quaint Marais district. “I was shocked at what I saw there — it feels like Soho on weekends,” she says. “Now there are the same old chains there you see everywhere.”
Read more »

Filed under: Locals, Retail Report | 2 Comments »