Changes are always coming to our little corridor, but a number of longstanding businesses have operated along Divisadero for decades. Everlasting Tattoo has been in the neighborhood for 22 years. Comix Experience celebrated 25 years on Divisadero in April, and Gamescape has been serving the community as a game resource for 29 years.
2004, though, was a particularly big year for Divisadero. A decade ago, another wave of businesses moved onto Divisadero, and this year they're all celebrating their 10th anniversaries along the corridor.
(photo: Stephen Jackson / Hoodline)
97 Cent Plus Store
Deborah Keese opened this little discount shop on October 4th, 2004. We recently stopped in and chatted with her last month, and learned she's putting the place on the market. Although she's selling the business with the goal of moving out of state, she does mention some changes. “As the neighborhood has changed, the clientele has changed. A lot of people have moved out of the neighborhood because of the Ellis Act. There doesn’t appear to be as big of a demand in this neighborhood for a discount store,” said Keese.
(photo: Stephen Jackson / Hoodline)
Madrone
Stroll by Madrone on any Monday night and there will be a line around the block with people waiting to get in to the popular Motown On Mondays event. Former owner Leila Fakouri opened Madrone Lounge in 2004, preventing its hot corner location from being turned into a Burger King. Once current owner Spike Krouse took over the space, he renamed it "Madrone Art Bar". For a full history of Madrone, check out our interview with Spike.
(photo: ThomasHawk)
The Page
Everyone's favorite corner dive bar celebrated their 10-year anniversary this year as well. Owner Bob Wait has successfully turned it into a community space, hosting fundraisers for neighbors, and often barbecuing outside on the street during game days. The dark and cozy bar has remained relatively unchanged since it first opened, aside from a small renovation in 2010 and a change in pool table pricing earlier this year. For 10 years it's been a meeting space for neighbors from all walks of life, including these awesome old-timers.
(photo: Sterling Munksgard)
The Independent
Divisadero's biggest music venue also celebrated its 10th anniversary in its current iteration as The Independent. It evolved from a coffee shop into a music venue way back in 1967, and was a jazz epicenter of San Francisco, hosting shows by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Al Jarreau.
The space was called the Justice League when owner Allen Scott and Another Planet Entertainment took it over. Working on a shoestring budget, Scott and his team often slept on stage trying to get it ready for opening night. The SF Fire Department did their review of the space as the first band to play at The Independent—Spoonbender—was doing its soundcheck. Today it's one of San Francisco's most popular music venues, often with a line trailing around the block on nights with sold-out shows.
(photo: Little Star Pizza)
Little Star
On any given night there's a steady stream of bike messengers coming and going out of Little Star's unassuming restaurant-front, and usually a few people waiting for tables inside. Divisadero's only deep dish pizza provider is popular, and has been for the 10 years its been in the neighborhood. Voted #1 this year in 7x7's Bay Area Deep Dish Roundup, Little Star's lines aren't going anywhere soon.
The neighborhood's evolution into a thriving business corridor was greatly aided by these longstanding spots, each of which took a chance on a slightly-cheaper storefront in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Happy 10th anniversary to all!
