After 91 years on Mission Street, Siegel’s Clothing Superstore is going out of business.
The building was purchased in mid-November by William Chin of Venice Beach Townhome LLC. Although it’s unclear how much Chin ultimately spent, the building went on sale for $6.5 million in September. Chin could not be reached for comment.
Michael Gardner, the longtime owner of the haberdashery, declined to comment or confirm the store’s closure. But employees said on Monday morning the store would close by January. The store was also plastered with many signs that read: “STORE CLOSING. EVERYTHING MUST GO” and “BLOWOUT SALE.” These signs pledged that everything on the premises would be sold, down to the wall fittings.
This development contradicts everything a distraught Gardner told Mission Local in September when the building was initially listed for sale. He told us that his family trust would soon be taking the building off the market, as The Gardner Trust was no longer interested in selling it.
Also in September, Gardner insisted that if the building were sold, his clothing superstore would remain. “Siegel’s is not going anywhere,” Gardner pledged while standing in his shop.
The for-sale sign did eventually come down. A sale, however, proceeded. And now new signs have been posted that indicate that Siegel’s is, indeed, leaving Mission Street.
At the Siegel’s Tuxedo Shop in Oakland, an employee said that store will remain open.
The San Francisco property, with a lot size of 5,400 square feet, cannot be demolished and redeveloped, as it possesses Class-A historic status. Its rental units include 12 studios and two one-bedroom apartments. Four of the studios, according to Paragon’s marketing materials preceding the sale, are vacant.
Siegel’s on Mission Street has occupied the ground floor of the building since at least the 1930s. The building was erected in 1926 and a Siegel’s sign appears in pictures of the corridor in 1936. The same sign remains today.
But changes are afoot on the 2300 block of Mission. In other news, Darryl Kaplan, the longtime proprietor of Mission Jewelry and Loan, said he plans to close up shop by Christmas.
Just went to Siegel’s. The signs say “Store Closing”, not going out of business. I purchased a very nice business suit and got a free suit ! They are continuing with the Oakland store.
The Oakland store is a small fraction the size of the San Francisco store; I rented my prom tux there. They will also be continuing online.
The 91-year-old “superstore” will be closing.
JE
What color tuxedo?
Jim —
Off the top of my head, it was a standard black tux with a teal bow tie and vest (it was 1992 or ’93).
I don’t think it cost $30.
JE
today’s “legacy business” is yesterday’s “grand opening today!” business, that displaced a legacy business.
While that may be, it is corporate (and personal) greed that leads many a small business to be put out of business. The sole reason that someone wants a quick buck shouldn’t quash legitimate small business just trying to make a living.
Small business & local residency are good for the community. We’re just not there as a society to care (about many things).
It seems like the Mission is disolving into the ether – Thrift Town, the building that burned down at 22nd St, La Victoria, the pawn shop, the gallery and now Siegel’s.
Long term institutions like that can’t be replaced.
I’ve taught my children that nothing stays the same. Change is a constant part of life. I need to remind myself of that.
Truly sad.
I’m born and raised on 20th & Valencia in 1958. Still in the City. That store’s been there my whole life. I was just in there about a month ago. Just bought my son a suit there for his first communion a couple of months ago. Still my neighborhood. SFM POR VIDA
Paul Altamirano Mr. Rojo. Puro SFM.
More foreign money coming in and gobbling up property, thanks Mr. Chin from Tokyo Japan, hope you do something decent with the property.
Parking his Panama Paper money?
I’m convinced we could save this city if we made it illegal for people that don’t live in x amount of miles from SF to own residential (or mixed commercial/residential) property with less than 40 units.
Okey dokey.
Yet another longtime Mission business closes 🙁 I really don’t get it: The Mission was desirable for its eclectic mix of stores, boutiques, restaurants….yet all these places are disappearing. Who would want to live in the Mission anymore? It sure ain’t what it used to be although you can say that about San Francisco in general. Soon, in the not to distant future, The Mission will be a soulless shell of $20 cocktail bars and $8 coffee joints.
Sad!
Unfortunately its become that! Not the city i grew up in anymore. Sucks
Indeed a tragedy. I wish I could buy the whole stock but one customer cannot keep the store afloat. Another legacy business gone forever. What have we become? ?