'Glass Key Photo' To Shutter In Lower Haight, Redevelop In Polk Gulch

'Glass Key Photo' To Shutter In Lower Haight, Redevelop In Polk GulchPhoto: Nuala Sawyer/Hoodline
Nathan Falstreau
Published on July 24, 2017

Known amongst analog photography buffs for its rare cameras and equipment, Glass Key Photo is heading out of the Lower Haight and moving into larger digs at 1230 Sutter St. (between Polk and Van Ness streets) in the lower Polk Gulch neighborhood.      

"Much like first love never dies, the Lower Haight will always hold a spot in our hearts," owner Matt Osborne told Hoodline. "We will miss the daily interactions with neighbors at Rooky Ricardo's Records, Two Jack's/Nik's Place, The Lodge, Wing Wings, Love-Haight Computers, and our next-door art buddies, Three Ravens."

The impetus for the move came down to space, said Osborne. While he hoped to stay in the neighborhood the shop has called home since 2012, finding another spot that met the shop's needs proved difficult. 

"We actually really love the Lower Haight and were very torn about leaving," Osborne said. "Unfortunately, the rental market has gone a little bit crazy around here in the Haight, and we could not find a place with the needed space that was in our budget."

Glass Key Photo's new location "was what we were looking for: really nice retail area with storage [and a] work area," Osborne said. "[It's] bigger than our current location, with the room to grow and change with the photo community."

While Osborne said he hasn't spent a lot of time in the new neighborhood, many customers have already told him that the new Sutter St. location is more convenient. "Oddly, a large number of our customers have stated that we will be much closer for them now," he said.

With a larger space, there will be more opportunities to offer additional workshops and classes and increase the variety of inventory.  

"And most importantly," added Osborne,"[we'll] finally get to unpack all the damn cardboard boxes we are currently drowning under!" 

Glass Key Photo patrons will also remember the owner's love of root beer and other specialty sodas, which Osborne said he'll be bringing with him to the new store. "One of the perks of the larger space means that there will be a larger fridge, which means the return of root beer," he said.

He also added that dogs would always be welcome in the store—especially Boston terriers. 

Osborne hopes to open the new Sutter Street location on Tuesday, August 1st at noon. In the meantime, the Lower Haight shop will remain open until the end of the day on Sunday, July 30th.