Corner Store Closes, and More A.M. Intel

Corner Store is San Francisco’s latest closure

Corner Store in Laurel Heights has closed after five years at the intersection of Masonic and Geary. In a note on the website, the owners did not give a direct reason for the closure, but they did call it “a labor of love” and point to “changes happening in this city and state that are making it very hard for small businesses and especially restaurants to survive,” the Chronicle reports. Corner Store went through a change last summer, going from a retro Americana hang for refined comfort food and soda fountain fare to a more approachable — and affordable — concept. Unfortunately it was not well-received by Chron critic Michael Bauer, and not enough to keep the business afloat.

Lady Esther’s returns to Oakland

Soul food restaurant Lady Esther’s has a storied history in Oakland, one in which it started in 1968, closed in the 90s, reopened as Southern Cafe in that same decade, closed in 2008, and reopened in 2013. The family then recently cut ties with Southern Cafe and have instead opened Lady Esther’s Original Southern Cafe in downtown Oakland at 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 150. The menu is full of fried chicken, smothered oxtails, shrimp and oyster po’boys, and more. East Bay Express has a full rundown on the history and details of the new Lady Esther’s, which is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Complex Oakland is coming along

The space that used to house nightclub Vinyl has switched tack to be a complex housing a restaurant, coffee shop, and live music. Aptly named Complex Oakland, there’s a pop-up restaurant on the second floor (Crate) and the first floor is being converted into a coffee shop (Feral) from the Perch team. Look out for Feral’s opening by April 15, East Bay Express reports.

Tamarind Hall likely to shutter for apartment development

North Beach Thai restaurant Tamarind Hall will likely need to close, as its building has been approved to be converted into four apartments. There are still plans to include a restaurant on the ground floor, but it’s unclear what form that will take, Socketsite reports.

UPDATE, March 17, 2017 at 4:20 p.m.:
Tamarind Hall owner Salisa Skinner has reached out to Eater SF to confirm that Tamarind Hall will not close due to apartment development. In fact, Skinner says that the restaurant plans to be around for the long haul. “We were aware of this proposed renovation when we signed the lease and ensured proper legal protections were built into the lease to endure Tamarind Hall's operations would be uninterrupted in the event those renovations moved forward,” said Skinner in an email. So, head over for pad thai and Thai street food like chicken satay and crispy pork neck.