Neighbor JoEllen from Pinhole Coffee on Cortland brings word of a special photo-coffee event happening on Sunday, April 23:
There is a big holiday for Pinhole enthusiasts this Sunday. It’s Pinhole Day, a worldwide event that goes back to the roots of photography to celebrate pinhole photographs. It’s always held on last Sunday of April,and this year that’s Sunday, April 24th
Pinhole Coffee is featuring pinhole photographs by Bay Area artist (former Bernal resident) Joy Caves. In addition to taking pinhole photographs, Joy develops them with caffenol, a coffee developer. From 10-2pm on Sunda,y she will be present to show people how to take pinholes and how caffenol works.
In addition, anyone who wears Pinhole Coffee apparel, or purchases any, on Sunday the 24th will receive 1 free beverage.
PHOTO: Top, Sutro Tower pinhole photo, by JoEllen Depakakibo
Oh, how the time flies. Neighbors Holly and Matt from The Epicurean Trader on Cortland are celebrating the first anniversary of their store, and to mark the occasion they’re offering a special deal to Bernal neighbors. Holly says:
We’re celebrating our first year as a Bernal merchant! We love this neighborhood. Mat and I have both lived in the neighborhood for years and all our employees live in Bernal Heights too.
The store has changed a lot since opening day – not our overall mission, but the assortment of products we sell. We’ve always wanted to be a neighborhood store, so we continually collect feedback from you about items you find difficult to buy locally. We stock as many as we can to make everyone’s lives a little easier.
We were also just named one of the Best Neighborhood Markets in San Francisco, and we’re now the highest-rated Specialty Market on Yelp (even ahead of Bi-Rite on 18th.) So now we’re even more excited to celebrate!
To thank the neighborhood for all their support, we will be extending a 10% discount off all purchases Monday thru Friday this week to Bernal Heights residents. Just ask for the discount when you check out. (Note: we may ask for some confirmation that you live in Bernal Heights.)
Where do Bernal merchants retreat to rest and recharge after they hang the Closed sign in the windows of their Cortland storefronts? Our friends at the CurbedSF blog recently did a profile of the house that Amy and Ken Shelf from Succulence call home. It’s a colorful look behind the scenes at one of Cortland Avenue’s most unique shops — and the people who created it:
The Shelf family had been friendly with the owner of [Four Star Video] before he died. David Ayoob was often in front of his business, sweeping up and greeting the neighbors. “He was a community character. When I read that the business and building were up for sale, I thought ‘I could be that guy,'” says Ken.
Borrowing every penny (“Back then, you could do that,” notes Amy), the couple purchased the building at 420 Cortland Avenue. The days of video rentals at a brick and mortar store were waning, and from the beginning they were planning the next phase. When Darcy Lee, the owner of Heartfelt down the street, suggested they start selling succulent plants out back, a new business was born.
Amy came up with the name Succulence to honor the richness of life, and for this couple, it’s an idea they take home with them after the store closes. The store, the neighborhood, and their family are inextricably woven into the into the nearby Victorian cottage they own on a short street that’s quintessentially Bernal Heights; in other words, it’s on a narrow, hilly passage where each crest hosts a scenic city view.
Read the whole thing to learn more about Neighbors Amy and Ken Shelf and to see pictures of their colorful home.
Neighbor Darcy from Heartfelt on Cortland extends an invitation for all sorts of Bernal businessfolk to get involved with the Bernal Business Alliance. She also extends an invitation to join the BBA’s next meeting on April 13, as well as a call for artists to help create a vintage-style map of Bernal Heights.
Darcy writes:
The BBA (Bernal Business Alliance) has gone through ups and downs over the years that I have been involved. It used to be the Cortland Merchants Association. and after our leader, David Ayoob passed away suddenly, different merchants have taken turns leading the organization. We have tried to bring more energy and life by also including home-based business, contractors, chefs, writers etc. We also welcome business folks who live in Bernal but whose businesses are actually in other neighborhoods in the city.
Right now we are in one of those phases where there’s a surge of interest and energy, so please consider joining and adding your voice to the working neighborhood.
Our meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10 am in the library community room, and I will be running the next meeting on April 13th. The theme is safety, and Captain McFadden from SFPD Ingleside is sending a representative. How can the business community make Bernal safer for all residents? What are your concerns?
On top of all that, are publishing a retro-style map in the next few months, (the image above is an example of the style we are going for), and we are looking for an artist-in=residence for 2016. This would involve designing posters for the strolls, a vintage style Bernal map, and even working on a new logo for the BBA. If you’re interested please contact us at bba@bernalbusiness.org.
It’s not easy being a merchant on Cortland Avenue.
Obviously, providing products, attracting customers, paying commercial rent, and managing the books are challenging tasks unto themselves. Yet over the last few years, as your Bernalwood editor has gotten to know many of the merchants who serve our community, I’ve also been impressed by how exasperating it can be when earning a livelihood means keeping your front door open to any random person who feels like walking in.
Neighbor Darcy from Heartfelt on Cortland shared this story — and a surveillance camera video — of a shoplifter who recently swiped some of her merchandise:
In the video, you can clearly see the young woman who shoplifts. The young lady with the tan cardigan, red scarf, and green purse looks around the room and pick up two Corkcicle-brand thermoses. At 02:09 she puts one in her purse, and at 02:52 she adds the second one to her purse, after which she quickly exit the store with a companion. We think the video speaks for itself.
Needless to say, if you recognize the perp, please stop by Heartfelt to let them know.
Meanwhile, a few blocks up the street, Neighbor JoEllen from Pinhole Coffee had her time wasted by this two-bit scammer who tried to pull the old “but wait, I gave you a $20 bill” trick:
JoEllen says:
The gentleman shown here has been trying to trick cashiers into giving him more change back. During the transaction he tried to distract me by being charming, pointing to certain areas of the room and commenting on the design…blah blah blah. He then told me he gave me a $20, when clearly he gave me a $5, and asked for more change. I said “nope.”
Norman of Elsie St. came in soon after and told us he heard he’s been doing that up and down the street that day.
Ask yourself: Have you hugged a Bernal merchant today?
Neighbor Eden now presides over the proud territories that once belonged to the “South of Army-Mission Merchants Association” in days of yore, but she brings a thoroughly contemporary approach to the office. President Eden writes:
Wearing my heart on my sleeve and being locally-minded are part of my approach to life. I live and work passionately everyday being the owner and curator of Secession Art & Design. I often get asked “what is your art?” Secession is my art, and the 60+ independent makers are my muses. Outside my doors is my community.
I am honored to announce that I am now President of the Mission Bernal Merchant Association. This leadership role is a way for me to help our neighborhood have a strong voice that will benefit merchants and residents. I look forward to collaborating with local business and government to help unite and transform our neighborhood into a destination that supports our local community.
Apologies for all the crime news this week, but we seem to be in one of those unfortunate periods where there’s a lot of crime news…
The proprietors of The New Wheel bike shop on Cortland are seeking help from Bernal neighbors to identify the woman who stole a very rare (and expensive) electric bike from in front of the store earlier this week. New Wheel co-owner Karen Wiener tells Bernalwood:
While taking inventory of our bikes, we realized that one of our demo bikes had gone missing. As you know, we display eight of our bikes outside. It turns out that while we were working with a customer on Monday evening, we forgot to secure a nice full suspension bike outside the shop. Upon inspection of our security camera, we found that it was a woman who walked away with it on Monday night at around 6:50 pm.
Super disappointing but I am optimistic that we might still locate the bike. The thief may live in the neighborhood, because other Cortland merchants have said they recognize the woman in the photo as someone whose been in their stores recently. The bike is certainly a looker — it has a full suspension with lime green accents. If anyone has any tips or suggestions, we’d be super appreciative.
What is the sound of a silent motor turning? That’s the kind of koan you may want to ponder at the new series of meditation classes hosted at the fabulous and futuristic New Wheel Bike Shop at 420 Cortland (near Wool). The classes are free, the first one happens tomorrow, Thursday January 28.
Many of our customers have enlightened us on the sense of calm that a daily bike commute has brought to their lives. It is in this spirit that the New Wheel, in partnership with Brahma Kumaris of San Francisco, bring you meditation classes every other week at The New Wheel.
First class: Thursday, January 28th, 7:15pm – 8:15pm
About a year ago, Bernalwood created an ad-hoc spreadsheet to keep track of Bernal-owned businesses that are not in Bernal Heights. The basic idea was to create and eventually publish a list of Bernal-owned businesses around San Francisco, to help the Citizens of Bernalwood know where they can shop locally, even when they venture off-hill.
That spreadsheet remains a work in progress, but in the meantime, we’re sad to report that one Bernal-owned business will soon vanish from the list: Dema, the glamorous women’s clothing store on Valencia (near 21st) owned by Neighbor Dema Grim from Santa Marina, is closing at the end of the month.
Neighbor Dema tells Bernalwood:
Yes, my time has come. My customer base has slowly dwindled, and it’s just not financially feasible for me to keep the shop going. I opened in 1997— not much on Valencia then! Survived two recessions.
But this “new” SF baffles me. The new residents seem particularly lacking in style. My wonderful eclectic, arty customers have moved to the East Bay. And online shopping is de rigeur now. SO. I am closing the shop and moving to a studio in Dogpatch, in the Workshop building to be precise, where I’ll continue to work with my wholesale accounts and do custom clothing by appointment,
I’m super excited! I never wanted to be a retailer, really, and it’s taken so much time away from actually designing the clothes. And Dogpatch is full of people making things and doing groovy collaborations. So, yipee! if anyone wants to follow me they could sign up for my mailing list on my blog.
Good luck Neighbor Dema! And in the meantime, let’s expand that Bernal-Owned Business list: If you live in Bernal and own a business around San Francisco, feel free to add your information to this spreadsheet.
PHOTO: Neighbor Dema, in her native biome, among many frocks.
We are blessed with much bounty here in the Dominion of Bernalwood, including two terrific commercial districts; each of which now plays host to its own holiday celebration.
Last week was the 2015 Cortland Holiday Stroll, and tomorrow, Thursday, December 17, the fabulous merchants, chefs, and barkeeps along the La Lengua stretch of Mission Street will hold the inaugural Mission-Bernal Holiday Walk:
40+ businesses between Cesar Chavez and Randall Streets will honor you with holiday cheer. Follow our festive balloons and custom wreaths (made by Cole Hardware) to experience all that our neighborhood has to offer.
We have a great list of participating businesses for #MBMAWinterWalk2015. Hit up the craft fairs and do some holiday shopping at Secession Art and Design, Avenue and Cafe St. Jorge. Then wander down the street for some food and drinks. The following restaurants and bars are offering specials. Participating businesses will have a wreath on the door!
Blue Plate SF: Drink specials Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack: wine tasting on the patio Cafe Seventy8: $2 peppermint mochas and free holiday cookies Cole Hardware: Glass of wine The Front Porch: Children’s Activities and Mulled Wine Iron & Gold: Drink specials Old Bus Tavern: Drink specials and brewery tour Secession Art & Design: 20% off Art! The Royal Cuckoo Organ Lounge: Drink specials Virgil’s Sea Room: Drink specials BEL: Drink specials and free fries with purchase Moxie Yoga: Check out our new location at 3232 Mission Street Ichi Sushi: Food and drink happy hour specials Cafe St. Jorge: Art + Craft Fair featuring local artists selling their wares
The 2015 Holiday Stroll on Cortland was wonderful (if somewhat wet), but if you missed the fun last night, you can still get a tasty taste of seasonal cheer. Tonight, Friday, Dec. 11, the fabulous New Wheel bike shop, at 420 Cortland, invites you to their glamorous, celebrity-packed Holiday Party:
We are so excited to welcome David Chiu, member of the California State Assembly, and sponsor of AB-1096 (the electric bike bill) that was successfully signed into law this year.
David will make a breif public comment at 6pm – as such we’ve moved the start time of the party forward to 5:30.
This year’s holiday party will be a chance to relax, celebrate, and eat some great food.
Don’t miss the first annual New Wheel keynote address at 7:00pm by SF electric bike champions, Brett Thurber and Karen Wiener.
This is also a chance to meet your fellow electric bike riders, The New Wheel staff and a few of our top bike and accessory suppliers.
Neighbor Eden Stein from the fabulous Secession Art and Design shop on Mission (near Valencia) is spreading the word about Secession’s holiday party, happening tomorrow, Thursday, December 3:
Please join us at our holiday party on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6-9pm.
Our brand-new show features original art by Hilary Williams and abstract paintings by Andrzej Michael Karwacki.
Shop from over 60 independent makers, carefully curated with you and your list in mind. Hand-made treasures let you give a gift that has personality. Small warm wishes come in the shape of soy candles, Bernal decanters, prints, and ceramics. Add a little sparkle from our locally-made jewelry collection. Let us dress up your babies, toddlers, and everyone in the family with our unique clothing.
Bernalwood 