Mission Mission

Mission Local reports:

The Roosevelt Tamale Parlor on 24th Street near York posted a sign outside its door that said it would be shutting down by the end of this coming Sunday, December 6.

The owners cited “personal health issues” and the “shrinking restaurant labor pool” for the closure, saying the low supply of workers has “fueled unsustainable wage expectations,” a problem Mission Local has written about before for storefronts on Valencia Street.

“We are losing a large part of our kitchen staff, and replacing them is too expensive,” said Aaron Presbrey, one of the restaurant’s owners. “We can’t sustain the place with the current wage expectations.”

Read on for more story, plus the full text of the restaurant’s original announcement.

Now, also note that they’re planning to start marketing their salsa and gravy as retail items, so maybe follow them on Facebook if you want to keep abreast of those developments.

[Photo by Shannon]

Best SF blogger of all time Brock Keeling the other day posted this thoughtful seasonal greeting on Facebook:

In between your unfollow-worthy posts about Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders, “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays,” imported vs. locally-sourced terrorism, and other Daily Show- vs. FOX News-inspired dreck you insist on shouting to followers who think and feel exactly the same way you do — far be it from me that I should tell anyone to stop screaming into a bag of birdseed! — cushion your self-righteous updates with one like my own:

Socks remain one of the most requested clothing items at homeless shelters, but rarely the most donated. Freezing temps, blisters, and infections are common conditions that can lead to more serious health issues for our homeless population. Go ahead and donate a bag or five of socks to your nearest shelter. (Black non-dress socks, imo, are ideal because they last longer and are better suited for inevitable job interviews.) But best of all, not only will you feel better inside your own crazy head, you’ll get to make pious, grandstanding posts like this one. Fabulous.

St. Anthony Foundation is a good place to start (details: https://goo.gl/O1OBZN). Check your local shelters for drop-off info.

Get to work!

Note: the title of this post also refers to a post we did in 2009 involving another all-time blogging great, Tony Pierce, and the prospect of a Valencia Street American Apparel shop.

You know them for their famous I Can’t Afford to Love SF shirt, but you’ve probably never been to the shop because it’s in another neighborhood…

Well now’s your chance! (The popup is on 24th between Mission and Valencia, for a limited time.)

[via Devon Chulick, Mayor of the Lower Haight]

Nice! Here’s the deal:

They’re comfortable, built very well, and the rubber/canvas/stitching quality is as good as it gets for a sneaker. The new Dessau sneakers are fully hand-made in Japan. They’re vulcanized at one of Japan’s last remaining factories still committed to this process and made from 100% cotton woven in Japan. But it’s only when you pick them up, or more importantly put them on your feet, that you’ll find what truly sets them apart. Feel that extra heft, that extra cushion. And the bar keeps rising…taped seams, metal eyelets and vents, double stitched stress points, full sponge insoles, reinforced heel and toe cups. A new gold standard for the classic sneaker.

Check them out here, or at the original Self Edge shop near 18th and Valencia.

(Despite wanting to support local business, as a lifelong Converse All-Star man, I probably won’t make the switch, but I think they look nice and the description is very well written.)

UPDATE: Kiya adds, “(and they’re not made in a sweatshop).” I guess that’s the main thing.

I’m out of town on Sunday night, so I can’t make it. Here’s an email I wrote to some friends just now:

Hey guys, I just heard about a concert I think you should attend. Baby Gramps at the Chapel on Valencia Street, Sunday, November 22nd. He’s this old (like oooooooold) dude who plays old (like oooold) songs on a big old guitar. I saw him once by accident at Amnesia in like ’05 or so, and I’ve been trying to see him again ever since, but it hasn’t happened. He’s REAL old, but tremendously entertaining, and I bet it would be well worth the hardship of going out on a Sunday evening. I think he was friends with Lou Reed.

Tickets and more info here.

[via @RuubixCube]

Now please enjoy this list of romance-related posts dating all the way back to 2007…

Here’s the deal:

First ever Karaoke Night in The Vestry at The Chapel with San Francisco’s best KJ (Karaoke Jockey if you don’t know), KJ Paul! Formerly at El Rio every Wednesday, catch him here right on Valencia St and sing your head off with us.

RSVP and invite your friends!

[via Jon Axtell]

[Photo by Willy Johnson, via It's Always Sunny in San Francisco]

Eater SF talked to general manager Peter Hood on Friday:

According to Hood, the reason for vacating Boogaloo’s primo location is indeed due to their newly raised, “whacked out Valencia Street rent,” which the business wasn’t willing to pay. And while Hood confirms that the search for a tenant is on starting in September, he says “We want to stay as long as we can for our employees. Our main concern is keeping our current staff employed and helping them find new jobs.” Since the restaurant is just now hitting the market (with its whacked out rent), that means it could be a while. Either way Boogaloo’s will have 30 days notice, which means there will be time to snag a last “Temple ‘O Spuds.” And, says Hood, he’s “open to relocating,” if a reasonable rent still exists in this town.

Read on for more info and downer details.

The lease on the St. Francis Fountain space was listed for sale on Craigslist for a while a couple months back, not sure what’s going on with that though. But I’d bet a property like Boogaloo’s, located at 22nd and Valencia, will be snapped up real quick.

Gone are the days when friends could argue St. Francis Fountain vs. Boogaloo’s year after year, never worrying that either one might ever disappear.

;(

[Photo by Google Maps]