“Excelsior Buzz” will be a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Excelsior. Got news? Send us tips at tips@missionlocal.com.
Bravo Pizza, an Excelsior staple that’s been serving the neighborhood since 1963 at 5145 Mission St., at the bustling corner of Mission Street and Geneva Avenue, is reopening on Jan. 22 with new owners: Best friends Sam Hernandez and Jason Yu.
Hernandez grew up in the Excelsior, enjoying slices from Bravo. Yu, who grew up in Chinatown and currently resides in the Excelsior, was most recently in the news for spending $200,000 trying to open a soft-serve matcha ice cream shop in the Mission District.
Yu abandoned that plan, he said at the time, due to spiraling permitting costs. Among them: hiring a lawyer after a co-founder of a nearby ice cream shop, Garden Creamery, filed an objection that pushed Yu into a hearing before the Planning Commission.
Back in 2021, Yu publicly vowed he’d never again try to open another business in San Francisco. Apparently, times have changed. The duo is trying to preserve the old flavors with a new twist, says Hernandez.
The pizzas will be made from the same two-pounder deep-dish dough, but with a garlic-crust option. The shop will keep its mix of Italian and American classics. There’s a new pink pinball machine in the place of the old pink pinball machine, and a newly renovated kitchen and back room.
“We are hoping to bring Bravo back to its heyday,” Hernandez said.
Beija Flor Designs, a flower shop in the Excelsior, appears to have vacated its storefront at 4786 Mission St., at Russia Avenue.
Its Instagram account, however, is still active.
“We will not be taking Valentine’s Day orders this year,” read a story posted on Jan. 13, 2026.
“We are still booking for weddings, special events. Centerpieces and event installations, private classes, subscriptions, creative arrangements for delivery (that meet our minimums.)”
The store’s owner has not replied to a request for comment, but we will report back once we know more.
The once-empty storefront at 5050 Mission St. in a newly constructed complex is now home to Los Olivos Store, a new corner store located at the intersection of Seneca Avenue and Mission Street.
The new store shares the same name and brand design as the grocery store at 4766 Mission St. Messages for both shops have not been returned.
The new store opens daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. It offers a wide range of convenience items, including groceries, personal care products, cleaning supplies, cooking appliances and more.
Claudio’s Auto Repair at 4420 Mission St., which has a cult following in the city, is considering expanding into the spot formerly occupied by C&P Auto Body Repair, located at 4352 Mission St. The idea comes from Giovanna Hrvatin, who has been running Claudio’s with her son Renzo since the death of her husband, Claudio Hrvatin, in 2023.
The Hrvatins own both buildings, she said, but renovating the aging C&P shop on Mission Street between Theresa and Tingley streets would require a lot of effort.
The family will need to manage new caulking, electrical and flooring, and getting city permits while continuing to run the original Claudio’s.
“It’s hard to do,” Hrvatin said. “Let’s hope we can do this.”
Jason, I don’t know you but if you have more appetite for another business in SF, Chinatown could use a formal ice cream shop! Matcha soft serve and ice cream hidden in dessert shops isn’t enough. I wish Marco Polo would set up shop there.
What is the pink pinball machine?