German Favorite Schmidt’s Will Close Due to Rent Increase

Schmidt’s, a Mission District destination for schnitzel, spätzle, and German beer by the boot-full, is saying Auf Widersehen after almost nine years on the 20th Street business corridor it helped establish. The restaurant, located at 2400 Folsom Street, was recently dealt an untenable rent increase, co-owner and proprietor Christiane Schmidt tells Eater SF. Its last day will be around May 27th.

Schmid’ts landlord has doubled rent on the business over its tenure, even demanding an extra $8,500 security deposit. With negotiations at a halt, Schmidt has decided to end her run, refocusing her efforts on the other Mission District German restaurant she operates — Walzwerk, which she opened 18 years ago at 381 S Van Ness Avenue.

According to Schmidt, her business partner David Pierce has plans to keep the Schmidt’s brand alive in some form. Pierce, who operates the Mission’s OHIO designs, also designed the restaurant’s rustic, refined furnishings.

“It’s going to be sad,” Schmidt says of the closure. Even though opening the restaurant in the first place was difficult, “I still look back and I enjoyed it. I’m glad we were there.”

A goodbye celebration, presumably with plenty of beer, is in the works.

• Schmidt’s Restaurant [Official]