Richmond Buzz: Openings, closings, and composting

“Richmond Buzz” is a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Richmond. Got news? Send tips to nicholas.david@missionlocal.com.

As you might have read, Mission Local is officially expanding. “Richmond Buzz” and all other news from D1 will now have its own dedicated webpage. Check it out, and subscribe to our Richmond newsletter to get the latest straight to your inbox.

With that, the Buzz.

Street view of the Balboa Theatre with a marquee that reads "Balboa Celebrates 100 Years," cars parked in front, and people walking nearby. — The freshly-painted facade of the Balboa Theater on April 18, 2026, with patrons celebrating the theater’s 100th anniversary. Photo courtesy of Ian Grant.

The ever-buzzing Balboa Theater at 3630 Balboa St. near 38th Avenue celebrated its 100th anniversary this month with a week of screenings, a celebration of costume designer Aggie Rodgers, and a party April 18.

The theater also received a birthday makeover, inside and out: A fresh coat of paint on the building’s facade, a painted tile mural along the entryway, and new fixtures inside the theaters themselves.

The new mural, painted by local artists Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet, features scenes and imagery from 48 different films set in San Francisco throughout the years, including “San Francisco” (1936) and “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019).

The rest of this month at the Balboa, catch “The Big Lebowski,” “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” “Le Bonheur,” and more.

A retro theater with a marquee displaying "Saturday Sunday Frozen" against a clear blue sky. — 4-Star Movie Theater marquee on Clement Street and 23rd Avenue.

At the Balboa’s sister 4 Star Theater, local “dark folk” musician Meredith Edgar will play a show for the release of her new album, “Melancholy Baby,” April 25. More information on that, and all other upcoming live music and movies (including a “Star Wars” marathon next month!) can be found on the theater’s calendar.

A red two-story building houses Neck of the Woods music venue, located on a city street with other storefronts and parked cars under a clear blue sky. — Neck of the Woods on Clement Street. Photo by Nicholas David.

Another local band’s album release show slated for April 25: San Francisco rock band Sacramento will play Neck of the Woods at 406 Clement St near 5th Ave, in support of the band’s new album “Ram.” (Yes, the band is called Sacramento and is from San Francisco.)

Your correspondent first caught Sacramento live last August, playing alongside Oakland band Spa, also on this upcoming bill. Both bands offered a kind of tight, distorted sound reminiscent of decades past — but each is wholly original, totally Bay Area, and really excellent.

For plant-owning apartment renters, or the otherwise fertilizer-curious: Wiggle over to San Francisco Public Library’s Richmond Branch for “No Backyard, No Problem: Composting with Worms in the City.”

Master gardeners (literally, they underwent master gardener training) will present on “the importance of compost for keeping your plants healthy,” and “how to create your own vermicompost using simple materials and kitchen scraps.”

The hour-and-a-half-long presentation will begin at 2 p.m. on April 26, and is one of many regularly scheduled programs at the public library. Find the Richmond Branch’s full calendar of events here, and the Anza Branch’s here.

A street corner storefront with a sign reading "ORNOT," featuring blue double doors, large windows, and a decorative upper façade. — ORNOT bike shop at 59 Clement St. Photo by Nicholas David.

Speaking of those who wiggle: ORNOT bicycle and apparel shop at 59 Clement St. and Second Avenue released “The City Collection” last week, in collaboration with local artist (the Richmond’s own) Ferris Plock and legendary pro skater Chico Brenes.

Brenes first made a name for himself in San Francisco’s early skateboarding scene. In more recent years, he’s also taken to cycling and surfing.

Shelves display green and clear water bottles with city logos, small plants, and colorful handlebar bags in a bike shop with large windows facing the street. — Water bottles designed as part of “The City Collection,” at ORNOT bike apparel shop. Photo by Nicholas David.

Plock’s handiwork can be seen all over town, from Mission Bay to the Outer Sunset.

This collection includes biking shirts, water bottles, and a limited run of skateboard decks.

Outdoor dining structure with a corrugated roof and green walls on a street, with a school crossing sign and residential buildings in the background. — The Laundromat restaurant’s outdoor parklet under construction April 17 2026. Photo by Nicholas David.

The Laundromat restaurant at 3725 Balboa St. near 38th Avenue is expanding (kind of). No, the pizza-and-wine (and beer, and occasional bagel, and occasional burger) spot isn’t moving into a second location, at least not for now, but it will soon be able to accommodate about three dozen more people, according to a worker there.

A brand new parklet outside, taking up three former street-parking spots, is set to open in the next two weeks. Once complete, the parklet will be heated and include both table and bar seating.

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With that new addition along outer Balboa also comes the end of an era: beloved institution Eat Americana at 3532 Balboa St. near 36th Avenue has closed after 30 years in business.

In 2016, the breakfast diner revamped its menu in collaboration with local chef James Moisey, and served up American comfort food until now. Its last day of business was April 12.

A corner pizzeria in Richmond with a blue and orange awning reading "Pizzeria" and "Rose's," glass windows, and a sidewalk in front. — Forthcoming Rose Pizzeria at 1 Clement St. Photo by Nicholas David

Berkeley-born phenom Rose Pizzeria appears in good shape to open soon at 1 Clement St. on the corner of Arguello Boulevard. No official timeline has been given since owner Gerad Gobel told Mission Local in December that they would be open by now, but the storefront’s exterior and its decor inside appear nearly service-ready, and apparent test-cooking could be seen through the window last weekend.

Storefront of House of Bagels at 5030 in Richmond, featuring a mural with bagels, coffee, and city landmarks on the exterior walls. — House of Bagels at is closed until June, according to a sign out front. Photo by Nicholas David.

But the Richmond is still short one bagel shop. House of Bagels at 5030 Geary Blvd. near 14th Avenue was set to reopen this month, but will remain closed until June, according to a sign out front.

“Due to issues with building foundation, we will remain closed until June 15,” the sign read.

The Richmond’s bars are also buzzing every night of the week.

To close out the Buzz, I thought I’d highlight a few: In the back room at The Hearth, find works by local artists on display for the next two weeks, and a monthly comedy show every first Saturday; at the Plough and Stars, board game happens night every first and third Monday and more; at The Bitter End hosts trivia on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; at 540 Rogues, find a litany of DJ nights, drag shows, and art events.

The Blarney Stone also has weekly comedy on Mondays, usually followed by an open mic. Though the bar may soon lose one of its amenities, Blarney remains a great, classic neighborhood staple.