“Tenderloin Buzz” is a recurring update on changes, tidbits and other news from the Tenderloin. Got news? Send us tips at tips@missionlocal.com.
Just in time for Pride month, the Transgender District — known as the world’s first to be legally recognized — commissioned a big trans history mural spanning six archways of a garage at 64 Golden Gate Ave.
The colorful collaboration of multiple artists presents a different concept in each archway, including tributes to the founders of the district and a depiction of the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot.
Four new shops in the Tenderloin are among 39 across the city getting over $3 million from the Office of Workforce and Economic Development to help launch new storefronts. The list is here.
A major recipient is Reggie and Maude’s, the upcoming bar and burger venture from the owners of Outta Sight Pizza, which will receive $100,000 to use for site improvements, permits, inventory and equipment.
If you want a taste of what they’ve got cooking up before their opening, Reggie and Maude’s is hosting a “good ol’ fashioned burger social” on Monday, June 29, at Jules, a Hayes Valley wine and pizza spot.
Another grant recipient is Inmy Chi, the owner of two Sunset District restaurants The Pots Hot Pot and Kogi Gogi, and partner at legacy Vietnamese restaurant Sai’s on Columbus Avenue. Chi is opening a fast-casual noodle joint in the Tenderloin.
Reached by phone, Chi cheerily said she was busy and had to “run the show,” but manager Kevin Huang gave us the rundown: Tender Noodle will feature a brief, affordable menu of just four noodle soups. Customers can choose a base soup that will cost about $6.99, and add proteins or other toppings as they please.
“A really simple, simple menu,” said Huang, who hopes to open at 721 Larkin St. by July. “But definitely noodle soup.”
You may also be wondering what kind of soup; Chi runs a Korean BBQ joint, a Chinese hot pot, and Sai’s of course, is Vietnamese. The answer perhaps falls somewhere in the middle. Huang chuckled at the question. For now, just expect “Asian fusion.”
There is no shortage of restaurants in the Tenderloin, and retail options are limited, so Tender Hearts Thrift could bring a nice change of pace to the neighborhood.
Mission Local found little information about the store, but its owner, the local mosque and community center Al-Sabeel Masjid Noor Al-Islam, is taking over the former Lisa for Hair location at 683 O’Farrell St. with the help of a $50,000 grant from the city.
Ruru Kitchen, owned by Ecuadorian industrial designer Francisco Bastidas, is also opening a brick-and-mortar cafe in the Tenderloin with the help of a $75,000 grant.
You may know them for slinging breakfast burritos at 1 Bush Plaza, their pandemic pop-up Total Meltdown, or you may have picked up one of their acaí bowls or pressed juices at Outside Lands.
Now, this part coffee shop, part “healthy bar,” is opening possibly by August at 448 Larkin St., the former location of Naan N Curry.
Bastidas is expanding on his food truck offerings of juice, acaí bowls, and breakfast burritos, to include morning coffees and mocktails in the afternoon and evening. The limited options to go out at night and be social and healthy without alcohol, he said, are “frustrating” — and mocktails are often pricey.
Ideally, his will cost less than $10. Nighttime “nibbles” may also be on the menu; they’re still in the pre-prototyping phase.
An earlier version of this article identified Amran Alsiday as the owner of Tender Hearts Thrift. It is owned by the local mosque and community center nonprofit, Al-Sabeel Masjid Noor Al-Islam. Alsiday is the point of contact and a board member.
Wait what? City giving out grants to open up businesses? Why can’t we normal folks get one?
The Office of Small Business has been giving grants for a while. If you want to open a small business, you can apply for a grant. You have to dig a little, but there are a ton of free info sessions and lots of support available. https://www.sf.gov/departments–office-economic-and-workforce-development–office-small-business
Glad to see some brave persons willing to try an open businesses here
That the city still has open drug usage and sales here 24/7 is not acceptable
The tenderloin should have zero persons still blocking sidewalks and allowed to engage in illegal behaviors which harm themselves and others .
Wish I believed that sf really cares but it is all a facade .
If persons really did , then the tenderloin would be cleaned up by now and businesses could blossom.
Ciity government spending billions a year and still the tenderloin is still out of control
It is not that big Support new business not the persons who contribute nothing but still get government handouts
It is not complicated
Lets get the tenderloin cleaned up and stop
allowing the vagrants addicts and waste products to destroy this neighborhood
Put them to work The city should open a factory and put those without work there
Finally the california law 4400 needs to be enforced Parents and families need to help to cover each others costs if able
Why isnt that done in sf?
Jules is very much the Lower Haight; I promise Haight & Fillmore has not turned into Hayes Valley as much as the realtors try.