Polo’s promises go unfulfilled

By Barbara Kate Repa Almost exactly two years ago, when Polo Ralph Lauren became the first business to encounter San Francisco’s new ordinance limiting chain stores in the neighborhood, the company’s leaders promised that their Fillmore store, if approved, would become engaged in the neighborhood and support local causes. They even put it in writing. [...]

Checking out of the checkout line

After more than two decades of offering up good cheer and wry observations while ringing up groceries and restocking the shelves, Allen Brandstein has retired from Mollie Stone’s. His last day was March 31. Stoking his decision to leave were two life passages: a bout with colon cancer last year and his first Social Security [...]

Like a kid in a candy store

There she is, the Queen of Fillamento, with a glue gun in one hand and a bag of jelly beans in the other, a nice Jewish girl making a sign celebrating Easter candy. Iris Fuller is back — not quite in the neighborhood, where she ran the much-beloved Fillamento emporium for two decades, but not [...]

Baker & Banker get their bakery

The Planning Commission voted unanimously yesterday afternoon to allow the new restaurant Baker & Banker, at Bush and Octavia, to operate a self-service bakery. “We’ve been working on trying to create a neighborhood space,” said chef Jeffrey Banker. “The bakery will be a big part of our success.” Banker’s wife and business partner, pastry chef [...]

Black Fleece makes an elegant debut

Just in time to present its spring line of linens and seersuckers, the elegant new Black Fleece boutique — a high-end spinoff from Brooks Brothers — opened today. “We’re taking the classic Brooks Brothers look from the 60s and making it contemporary,” says store manager Robert Oren. “Our customers know and understand fashion and want [...]

Lilith comes to Fillmore

“Fillmore is beautiful — the best shopping street in town,” enthuses Sharon Haag, who was a devotee of the French clothing designer Lilith even before becoming the manager of its new neighborhood boutique. “I’m so happy to be here surrounded by things I love,” she says. Lilith opened over the Valentine’s Day weekend at 2029 [...]

At Vivande’s auction, timeless treasures

At 9 this morning, Vivande opened its doors to the public for the first time in three weeks. At 11, an auctioneer began selling the furnishings and equipment. Most of the two dozen people milling around seemed to be dealers in used restaurant supplies, although there were a few neighbors, too. Back in the kitchen [...]

Brooks Brothers spinoff approved

They hoped to be welcoming holiday shoppers to their new store on Fillmore Street, but instead staffers from Black Fleece—a new brand from Brooks Brothers—were at City Hall December 17 seeking permission to proceed. Because it is part of the Brooks Brothers chain, the opening was delayed by the city’s formula retail ordinance, which requires [...]

The Heidi Chronicles

By Barbara Kate Repa In a city not shy about renaming its streets, Fillmore Street may soon stand in jeopardy of being redubbed HeidiSays Way. In just over six years, Heidi Sabelhaus, who exudes a mix of serenity and style, has built a mini-empire covering the fashion gamut — from sophisticated day-to-evening collections to casual [...]

The simple secrets of lasting love

By Brooke Welch For the last six years, I have been working at Toujours, the petite lingerie shop on Sacramento Street just around the corner from Fillmore. I’ve been a salesclerk and bra-fitter, but also a therapist and a shoulder to cry on. Perhaps the best perk of working in a classy little neighborhood lingerie [...]