SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Legacy businesses on San Francisco’s Fillmore Street have been offered lease extensions. KRON4 first reported in August that La Mediterranee was told it couldn’t renew its lease, but now the 45-year-old family-run Mediterranean restaurant is here to stay.
In the last couple of months, there have been a lot of changes on Fillmore Street with many “For Lease” signs popping up, but the owners and customers of La Mediterranee say they are relieved to hear this restaurant won’t be vacant anytime soon.
“Oh, it’s a great day! We are very, very happy. We love our neighborhood. We love Fillmore Street. Today we get to celebrate that we will be here for years to come,” said owner Vanick Der Bedrossian.
Der Bedrossian’s father Levon opened La Mediterranee 45 years ago. Its new lease lasts until 2028.
In the summer, they were told their lease would not be renewed, but Der Bedrossian says they were able to work out an agreement with the landlord.
“We do feel that we have a good relationship with our landlords. Cody Allen and Neil Mehta have really shown that they care about small businesses on the block and our agreement and lease agreement extension is a reflection of that,” he said.
Just across the street, however, what was once another legacy restaurant sits empty. Ten-Ichi closed down after failing to negotiate a lease with the same landlord — Cody Allen.
Allen says they have offered new or extended leases with no increase in monthly rent to some existing tenants including Ten-Ichi, but Allen says the owner declined an offer.
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Starbucks is also vacant. The landlords say the corporation declined an extended lease, and they plan to soon put in a small business there.
These efforts are a part of the newly launched Upper Fillmore Project, which a press release says is working to, “Restore the neighborhood’s vitality and locally owned and operated character.”
It’s funded by Fillmore-area native Neil Mehta, who invested $100 million to rejuvenate the commercial district. Some who live near Fillmore Street say they are hopeful to see more local businesses and less “For Lease” signs.
“I do wish we had a little more variety like local vendors around here. But I do feel like a lot of shops are closing down. It’s barren and sad to see,” said local resident Pamela Ayala.
Project leaders say they are overwhelmed with interest from potential tenants. Part of the lease extension agreement includes La Mediterranee opening up on Sundays again to attract even more foot traffic seven days a week. This will start in January.
KRON4 reached out to the owners of Ten-Ichi to see what their plans are for re-opening somewhere else in the city, but we did not hear back on time for this report.
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