“Tenderloin Buzz” is a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Tenderloin. Check out our Tenderloin web page for more.
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The Tenderloin Museum closure may go on for a bit longer than originally planned. Leaders with the museum announced on Tuesday that the museum is undergoing extensive and unexpected renovations due to water damage originating from The Cadillac Hotel, which borders their building.
“The repairs needed are more expensive than we first thought,” an Instagram post said. “Additionally, we need to make improvements that will help protect the museum from future water damage.”
Getting the museum back up and running is going to be pricey. Tenderloin Museum organizers are now aiming to raise $150,000 to help reopen “as quickly and safely as possible.” Community members can donate online.
A communications manager with the museum said they hope to reopen in the fall, or earlier, if the team can raise enough money to expedite the repairs. Meanwhile some programming is continuing including “The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot” at 835 Larkin St. It runs every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. You can get tickets here.
At least two long-time Tenderloin businesses have closed in recent weeks.
Em’s Barber Shop at 342 Jones St. closed at the end of June after 13 years at the east Tenderloin location. Owner Emory Waite has transitioned to a mobile barbering service.
Waite said that the rent at his former location had increased too much and that he had continued concerns about the area around his business, leading to the closure.
OSHA Thai, at the corner of Geary and Leavenworth streets, also closed. The upscale Thai chain operates multiple locations across the city with the earliest location being more than 30 years old.
OSHA’s Tenderloin location opened in 2001, according to city records. It is unclear when it closed. I went in December 2025 and had a delicious meal. Not to worry, you too can dive into their menu at the restaurant’s Financial District location at 250 Montgomery St.
When one business closes, another opens — or so we hope. Lucky for us, Niebla, a Mexican owned bookstore, opened at the end of July. Located on 374 Golden Gate Avenue, the cozy shop is now home to a plethora of Spanish language books.
At Niebla, readers can pick up a novel in one hand and a concha or latte in the other. The coffee shop and book store hybrid is open Tuesday through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Larkin Street Corridor is alive with music — the popular outdoor performance program, Busk It! Has officially entered the heart of the TL, with a Larkin Street series kicked off by four musicians earlier this week.
The program typically places musicians along the Market Street corridor, with a few of the designated busking locations just touching the east corner of the Tenderloin neighborhood.
Now the sound of music will fill one of the Tenderloin’s growing street corridors, attracting tourists and residents alike to listen to live music while (hopefully) shopping at local businesses.
The program’s expansion is a partnership between the Mid-Market Business Association & Foundation and the Tenderloin Community Benefit District.
This week kicked off the initiative with music from four artists who performed outside of local businesses on the corridor, including Outta Sight Pizza, Quoc Long Jewelry, Phoenix Hotel and Emperor Norton’s.
There will be three to four shows each week until the end of August at participating storefronts. On Monday Aug. 10, Black Rabbit Synthony is performing outside of Outta Sight Pizza; on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Malpica Live Looping will show off his tunes on the pavement outside Catrachita Yucatica; and on Wednesday, Aug. 12, Analog Dog will perform at Sgt. Macaulay Park. View the full schedule on the Busk It! website.
