Mission Mission

Could the vultures soon be circling the dessicated carcass of the Mission’s most convenient late-night supermarket?  Inquisitive reader Ann C. expresses her concern:

I was wondering if you guys know anything about the DeLano’s on 23rd and South Van Ness supposedly closing.  I noticed they were missing produce on Monday, and I asked one of the employees if they were remodeling.  He said they were actually supposed to CLOSE THE STORE that day, but it got postponed. 

I want that DeLano’s to stay open!!! It’s convenient and it’s not a Whole Foods.  I even like that it’s not a Safeway because it’s not crowded ever, and the employees that work there are really nice.  Can you guys look into this or something?   One of the checkers told me to contact DeLano’s and try to tell them to keep it open (415-381-6700). 

Has anyone else heard anything about this development?

It wouldn’t be completely unexpected, since supermarkets not named Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s have been having a notoriously rough go of it lately, as evidenced by the recent closure of the Nob Hill Cala Foods, which was replaced by (what else?) condos.  And let’s not forget that this particular South Van Ness location used to be a Cala Foods itself once before (and a Siris long before that, but that’s a whole other story for another time):

It’s difficult to keep up with the cheap produce prices at the myriad corner markets around the neighborhood.  Casa Lucas and the like are tough to beat with that 4 for a dollar avocado special.  I think Duc Loi is still going strong, but they cover a completely different niche.  And Ann herself does admit that the place is never even crowded.

Nonetheless, I would hate to see this place go, especially because the people that work there are soooo nice, and it’s great to have a place to turn when your hectic lifestyle precludes you from going grocery shopping until 1am.

BUMMERZ UPDATE!!!  Commenter Paul Valdez says:

Yes, it is true. Checker, Michelle, told me last weekend that they will close in one week. Too bad. Yes, they were all nice and the Delano family could’ve given that location some ‘attention’…

[Photos by Romleys, who seems to have somewhat of a penchant for supermarket history]

Yesterday (known for the next few days or so as “on Sunday”) I was walking through the hot and sunny neighborhood enjoying the whole thing and I strolled up to the park hoping to run into some friends. When I found them I got excited and I jumped around a bit and did some old fashion tackling-type activity. At some point during this play my iPod fell out of my pocket and into the grass.

That’s a bummer, I thought later, finding an empty pocket, since it’s kind of new and I use it a lot. But maybe I’ll just have to find more creative ways to do things. I was even about to finally give in and buy a cellular phone.

But then, when I got home, I found an e-mail from a stranger who said that she had found my iPod and I should send her my number so I could come pick it up! And I did and I did! I stopped by the home of some dude who was maybe her partner or friend or who cares, but he was so nice and when I handed him some cookies as a thank you he almost didn’t take them. “Well, anyone would have done it,” he said.

But I’m not sure that’s true. Would you?

(illustrative photo by the awesome Potential Past)

P.S. When I was in college I was pick pocketed on the subway at Times Square and got the wallet in the mail a week or two later with my ID still in it. So, maybe I’m too lucky for my own good or maybe people are generally pretty considerate.

Haroldinho spotted this arrangement near Dolores Park. It’s different than the last arrangement we saw, but not too different. Has anyone seen any gnarlier stacks?

Mission-based artiste, Hellen Jo drew this portrait of singer, songwriter, fashion-troll Lady Gaga. I’m not particularly hip to the music of today, but I think it’s pretty bitchin’. On her site you can see the whole “making of” process.

Hellen is pictured below, to the right.

Rhiannon brags:

I’ve managed, with my superior skill, to convince Alex at Rodger’s Coffee, which serves delicious coffees AS WELL AS Strauss Organic Ice Cream (none of this yogurt hooha) to make me coffee milkshakes, by pouring the hot espresso into ice cream in a plastic togo cup, then stirring it until perfect, and adding a bit of milk.

It’s called “The Rhiannon Special”.

(link)

Previously:

Your Milkshake Would Bring All the Boys to the Yard

Off-Menu Ordering in the Mission

All the clues you need to solve this mystery are in this picture. Can you figure out what happened before Bugs Meany gets away?

(via Sangroncito. Don’t worry they’re not dead, just drunk.)

1. REMOVE SHOES, EYEGLASSES & SHARP OBJECTS BEFORE ENTERING
2. NO FOOD
3. NO FLIPS
4. NO PULLING ON OR WRESTLING OTHERS
5. DO NOT BOUNCE AGAINST THE SIDE OR NEAR THE DOOR
6. KEEP HANDS OFF THE NET
7. IF INFLATABLE BEGINS TO LOSE AIR MAKE YOUR EXIT TO THE DOOR
8. DO NOT ENTER THE INFLATABLE UNLESS ATTENDANT IS PRESENT
9. CAN TURN OVER IN HIGH WINDS. UNLOAD IMMEDIATELY IF WINDS EXCEED 15MPH
10. DO NOT ENTER GATE WHEN WET. IT MAY BE SLIPPERY

(Title and photo via bats…, who is getting waay to much love on MM this week)

Penelope Popsicle delivers the answer.

Previously:

Talking to the Prostitutes

Fashionist is reporting from Huế, Vietnam, y’all! Check it out!

This is what our great protector sees as it endlessly scans the horizon for threats to our fair City.  Shouldn’t it be facing the Pacific Coast, though?  Perhaps Chief Gascon has succeeded in enlisting Sutro to help fight crime in the city.

Previously:

Sutro Comes ALIVE

Sutro Tower Lightning Strike