Results tagged “retail”

            

Times are tough. Or so we've been told. So, in this economy it’s ideal to know where to go to get the most omph for your buck, especially if your tastes are a lot bigger than your wallet. For cocktails, obviously, it's happy hour (Bag Lady favors Orson Mon-Sat, and obviously the Castro for two-for-one’s anytime before 9 p.m.) For food it’s dining at home, or out during the week at any restaurant that has a special weekly or monthly price fix dining menus. Currently, Bar Bambino is at the top of the list with a 4-course dinner that will only set you back about $35. And for nightlife, it’s going out during the week when people are generally more unruly and “living life to the fullest.”

A Mill Valley woman has been banned from crap designer Abercrombie & Fitch's Corte Madera store after she urinated in the retail shop. It seems the rich bitch in question asked store employees if she could use the bathroom. They refused. So, after throwing a tizzy, said lady (and we use that term loosely) stole a "a 5-gallon pail from a display and adjourned to a changing room," dumped $300 worth of clothing (and we use that term loosely) into the bucket, and created a makeshift toilet of her very own. The woman -- described as tall, white, thin, blond and in her 40s -- returned to the story the following day, claiming ignorance of going No. 1. The store, however, refused to press charges. Ah, the secret underbelly of the North Bay. It is warm and sweet.

Oh, sure, you've seen all the coverage of Jan Gehl's plan to turn Fisherman's Wharf into something tolerable. But wouldn't you like to know more? The excellent SPUR is holding a forum TODAY about the city's plan to alleviate pedestrian-congestion by updating the neighborhood's 1950s-style freeway-inspired urban design: widening sidewalks, installing benches, and adding bike lanes, injunction be damned. After all, be honest: when's the last time you went to Fisherman's Wharf? Probably when you had out-of-town guests.

It looks like Survivor: Cook Island winner Yul Kwon won't get to serve you air-pumped, sugary, dairy-like deliciousness. After getting ready to set up a Red Mango chain in North Beach, and after being granted a building permit and signing a lease, his permit was pulled after he was "told he ran afoul of the strict North Beach ordinance against 'formula chain' stores," or so says the Gate. Kwon went on to say, "I sorely regret the day that I decided to open a restaurant in San Francisco, and I will never make that mistake again." Ouch. True and choice words, Puka Puka tribesman.

This tickles us ever so. Last year after 4,000+ folks in the Richmond held their breath until their faces turned blue, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to ban the popular coffee chain Starbucks from setting up shop at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Geary. Problem solved, right? Wrong.

SFist interviews Andrew Revelli, founder of Upper Playground

Okay, so it’s not a great time to flip your house, and rents are rising, but there are still some real estate developments that are not bad news. Retail rents across San Francisco are up 2.6% over last year to an average of $32.11 per square foot, indicating some competitive demand. Demand = more business in the city. We love business in the city, especially when it might lead to jobs – and it looks like San Francisco’s employers might add another 14,000 jobs.

In an effort to stop slumping sales, Old Navy is hoping to recapture their sales magic of the late 90s by enlisting a new canine mascot. You may remember when Old Navy was a hot brand, nearly every commercial featured “Magic”, an Airedale mutt rescued from the streets of San Jose. Since Magic was forced out of his job in the Spring of 2001 (press releases cited ‘creative differences’) Old Navy same store sales have tanked (PDF). Coincidence? We think not.

In the interest of full disclosure, SFist Ted, our new weatherman, also happens to be Dogster Ted. And while we've harshed on the Webby Awards only just recently, we're still proud. You can register to vote for them to win the "People's Choice Award" in their category, "Community" -- and as Ted points out, they don't seem to be too picky in letting you use as many emails as you like to register again and again (not that the stringent ethical guidelines at SFist would allow us to do that).