Hoodline Sleuths: Be A Neighborhood Sherlock With This Local Business IntelImage: Mark Coggins/Flickr
Rose Garrett
Published on March 16, 2017

We stay on top of neighborhood business news using a combination of on-the-ground reporters and tipsters, as well as city data that offers a window into what's going on behind the scenes. 

Today, we're trying something new: giving readers a peek at the information clueing us in to what's going on around town, as well as the opportunity to share whatever intel they might discover as our eyes and ears on the ground.

Read on for a selection of interesting tips, data points and leads we've got on our radar today—and if you know more, be sure to let us know!

The Marina

It looks like Mezes Kitchen and Wine Bar could be closing up shop, as a liquor license filing for a new business at 2373 Chestnut St. appeared this week. Called "Howells" and backed by County Wine Group LLC, the pending restaurant seeks to serve beer and wine. Readers, clue us in if you know more.

Outer Sunset

Yelpers report that Osaka Imai has closed at 2445 Noriega St., to be replaced by an unknown new business. "Having heard of this place since it opened, I didn't come here until a few days ago with my mom and sister as we recently found out it was going to be their last days of business before renovating into something new," Yelper Kathleen S. wrote on March 3rd. What's on the way? We don't know yet (do you?). 

Laurel Heights

The former La Belle restaurant at 3226 Geary Blvd. looks to be in new hands, as a business filing indicates that "Derm Restaurant" may be moving in. With "Neelasewee LLC" listed as the owner, our best guess is that Thai food will be the offering.

Upper Haight

Is a tiki bar headed to the Upper Haight? That was the question on our minds when we saw a Yelp page created for "Hey Tiki" at 1609 Haight St. Though the address looks to be residential (and people sometimes create Yelp pages for private goings-on), we're keeping an eye on the area to see if mai tais and daquiris could be on the way.

Telegraph Hill

Tipster Albertino M. reports that the former Fog Hill Market at 1300 Kearny St. is being renovated. "The place looks very nice and clean with a wooden floor and wire light housing," he told us today. The building changed hands back in August, but we don't know what's in store for the space following the longtime corner store's departure.

The Mission

And finally, it looks like a new Japanese izakaya could be headed to the Mission. According to Planning Dept. filings, a restaurant called "Izakaya Yasumi" may be headed to the ground-floor commercial space in the newly constructed condo building at 1050 Valencia St. (at Hill Street).

Do you have insight or inside information on any of these open cases or other goings-on around town? Whether you're a business owner, industry insider or neighborhood Sherlock, we invite you to share more information with us by texting a tip to (415) 200-3233, or by emailing us at [email protected].