Inner Sunset Update and Some Fun Events Around Town

Updates on Arizmendi Bakery, Progress Hardware, and More!

Rather than post these as Instagram posts, which can get lost in the blur of whatever else is going on there, I figured I’d just write up a quick guide to a few things going on around the Inner Sunset. It is by no means a complete list, but it’s a good start.

First off, an update about Arizmendi Bakery. The other day, after a haircut at Sunset Barber, I managed to snap a quick photo of the work being done inside to install a new oven. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to take out a commercial grade oven, put in a new one, and comply with the many rules and regulations, etc.

Right after I took this photo I ran into one of the bakery collective’s members, who said that he was feeling very optimistic about reopening on (or very very close to) their targeted May 3rd reopening.

Photo taken 4/25 at Arizmendi. Really missing this place!

Arizmendi’s temporary closure has had a signficant impact on foot traffic in the neighborhood. While I don’t have a scientifically generated chart to say so, it doesn’t take a squad of data robots to notice that not having that constant stream of people buying at Arizmendi starts to impact other businesses, whether they are right next door to the bakery or not. It is a reminder that a neighborhood needs a diverse array of Useful Local Small Businesses to remain viable, and having a place like Arizmendi fills that role.

When the bakery reopens, it is incumbent on us to spend some money locally and help them weather this storm, brought on by an oven fire a few months ago.

Likewise, I was walking past Progress Hardware the other day (another business that always brought a lot of people in and out of the Inner Sunset) and saw workers doing something at the store after last summer’s fire.

I was so glad to see something happening for Progress Hardware that I took a photo, even though it’s just a photo of some workers taking things out of the store.

Even though it’s been some time since the fire, I still find that I’m in situations that would have been easily solved with a quick trip to Progress Hardware that I can’t easily solve anymore. I like Cole Hardware and shop there too, but they have always had different items than Progress. That’s why we can and should have both, and I have to believe that even in 2024, we will see Progress return. You can still donate to the crowdfunding campaign and keep in touch with them directly as the work progresses.

However, all is not doom and gloom in the Inner Sunset. It’s a bit of a tough time, to be sure, but there are signs things are moving forward. Recently, I heard that Sunset Mercantile will be moving into the space at 8th and Irving formerly occupied by First Republic Bank. Sunset Mercantile produces local events around town, including the Inner Sunset Flea Market , and the Outer Sunset Farmer’s Market. It is nice to see a vacancy on Irving fill up quickly, but even better to see it go to someone who is producing local events that make things better around town. When they open up I will be sure to stop by and see what they do with the space.

Images from a recent Inner Sunset Flea Market. The sun came out soon after this picture was taken.

There’s a few fun events I wanted to be sure to let people know about as well:

Tonight, Yo Tambien Cantina, one of my favorite places in the Inner Sunset, will once again be open tonight from 5-8pm with a special happy hour menu. During lockdown, YTC’s Friday night service was a nice little “sanity boost” when there wasn’t a lot to do at night and over the years I’ve posted many photos from some of their fun evenings. Let’s all go tonight and give them a boost so they keep this for the rest of the sunny season in 2024.

Also tonight, Rare Device over on Divisadero has an opening night party for a new local-themed art show. It’s not hard to see why this jumped out of me in the blur of the Instagram scroll:

There’s many wonderful artists at this show, but they had me at this promotional image from their website….

This weekend is the legendary DogFest at Duboce Park, which benefits McKinley School, and has evolved from a small amazing event into a huge amazing event. Watching this evolve over the years has been kinda fun to watch. Also, there’s about a million dogs at this event - how could it not be awesome?

I took this at Duboce Park while walking to Comix Experience to pick up a book club selection and some other things….

These are just a few things I’ve seen around town lately and a few events that seemed fun. What are you seeing around the neighborhood? What would you like to have replace the old Bank of America building at 9th/Irving? Or that vacant space on 9th where Lemonade used to be?

Thanks again for reading and for all your support!