Harley “Mr. D” DeLano wrote back about DeLano’s potentially closing — and Mission Loc@l was again not given much information:
“Thank you for your concerns regarding our store. It is our policy not to comment on any rumors at any time. Our store is currently operating as normal.” ^kc
In case you’re wondering what I’m talking about, here’s our post from yesterday:
Eric, the Sunday manager at Delano’s IGA on South Van Ness who declined to give his last name, said that as far as he knows, rumors that the market will be closing are wrong.
All weekend, he said, customers have been coming in and asking him about the closing. Customers have also been writing to Mission Loc@l to ask about the closing.
“I’ve got customers coming in and telling me” about this, he said. “It’s been horrible this weekend.”
The corporate offices are closed until Monday. If anyone has any more information, please let us know.
Otherwise, check back for an update on Monday. ^lc
Previously
Art for Art’s Sake
With all the buzz about Mission galleries and the twitter about this weekend’s Open Studios, don’t miss the 18th Annual Art With Elders exhibit currently at Monteagle Medical Center. And be prepared to reconsider your theories of aging.
Earlier Today
The American Revolution begins.
On this date, two hundred thirty five years ago.
6 A.M. 51° and partially overcast. What’s up for today? Some, sun, some clouds, some rain by tonight.
Freedom isn’t Free
SF Business Times reporting upticks in condo sales in the ‘hood, notably at Union, and the heavily marketed 555 Bartlett. Unreal estate award: $2.2 plus million for a house on Linda.
Eyes on Your Email
Can Eric Holder read your Yahoo! email without a warrant? Opposed by a coalition of privacy groups and internet companies, the government backed down. But Electronic Frontier Foundation warns the issue is far from settled.
honestly, that grocery store sucks. it’s overpriced and the produce is basically rotting. I’m glad it’s gone
Today, big sign saying new hours: 8am-8pm. Well, might as well be closed for me now since I never go there before 8pm.
Don’t forget there is a great corner produce stand just 200 feet from the Delano’s parking lot. Park at Delanos and to to the local produce shop on S. Van Ness and 23rd.
Sounds like it’s up in the air – I’ve observed what others have – management acting as if nothing is happening should be asked if having bare shelves is ‘operating normally’.
Several weeks ago, regarding dwindling supply, employees said ‘its weird, we haven’t been told anything’. Last week multiple checkers said they are closing imminently and will be retained based on seniority. Most recently I was told the closing was postponed and that they were expecting a delivery to re-stock in the meantime.
I saw an Odwalla worker there several days ago removing their refrig. display case.
re: TJ’s – a grocer with a commitment to local produce would be better rather than individually plastic-wrapped items from who knows where.
Security guard told me they were trying to find someone to take it over, and they should know by the end of this week how things turn out.
Personally, I’d like to see a Trader Joe’s go in there.
I just went to grab some groceries at Delano’s tonight. A clerk told me that their Union got a statement from upper management that they’re not closing “right now”, but no guarantee that it will be open “later”. No timeline provided. The workers at the store are very worried for their jobs.
I just called Ms. Desiree Delano, and she said that they aren’t closing it, that there will always be a grocery store there (oddly worded; will it still be IGA?). She was very polite and not rushed, and I was very surprised that she answered her own phone! She also said that lots of customers have called her and others at Delano’s HQ. She said that they just began re-stocking the store; it was pretty bare of lots of items when I went today, however.
I don’t think we can completely trust either side’s statements at this point, but it would be a shame to lose this store which has been a part of the community here for so long. Neighborhoods need supermarkets that are walkable. And not every neighborhood can afford to shop at Whole Foods (or even Rainbow, where I also shop). The store *does* need more improvement, but I’ve seen steady, if slow, improvement in the stock there over the last few years.
Today the cashier told me they’re having some issues with their lease; and the place is only half out of food; totally missing a lot of fresh stuff and things like packaged salad mix.
A clerk at Delano’s told me yesterday that the store is closing, but (s)he doesn’t know when. Also no info. on what’s next. No surprise: it’s been gradually “contracting” for months. I think they’ve been trying to get out of it from the start, to deliberately run it into the ground.
I spoke with one of the cashiers at Delano’s yesterday and she said that the store is closing because the landlord keeps raising the rent and they can’t afford it anymore. She said she didn’t know what the owner was going to do with the property.
I believe one of the other workers said that the store would close in about 3 weeks.
They should put a Bi-Rite or a Whole Foods in there instead… I hate Delanos!