Thanks to @olidreamer, we got tipped off that there might be an Italian restaurant and wine bar moving into the old Hama-Ko location on Carl Street. Hama-Ko, a delicious hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant, closed it's doors fall 2012 and it has been vacant ever since. Recently, we saw some parchment paper go up on the windows which is a good sign that someone has rented it out and is starting to do construction. Hard to imagine how a new restaurant would look because it is such a small space. If anyone has any other information about what might this storefront be (more specifics), please mention us on Twitter, use the #colevalley, and let us know!

UPDATE: We now have gotten confirmation that there will indeed be a new Italian wine bar opening into the old Hama-Ko location on Carl Street. Perbacco's long-time wine director, Claudio Villani, is going off on his own to open a “contemporary enoteca” called InoVino. The small 30-seat spot will be going into 108 Carl Street —right across the street from the now ridiculously popular Padrecito. Villani says his inspiration for the business comes from this friendly, well-known Florentine panini spot called ‘ino. Villani is going to offer wines from all over the world (Greece, Spain, South America, Italy, France). The price of bottles will range from $25 to $65, and there will be at least 30 wines by the glass for $8 to $15. The menu will consist mostly of cheeses and charcuterie from local and international producers, along with crostini, bruschette, and crudo. Villani will spend next month in Italy for some more inspiration. He plans to open InoVino in July.


Source: SF Magazine

The Ice Cream Bar and Soda Fountain in Cole Valley has proposed a parklet!! What are your thoughts? Do you think it's a great idea, considering that The Ice Cream Bar has limited indoor seating and it would help create more business for them? Or do you think that Cole Valley is already tight on parking spaces that taking another 2 parking spaces (remember when SFMTA took a bunch on Carl Street due to N Judah Rail Replacement/Improvement Project??), that CV neighbors desperately need. 

On Nextdoor, Ted Loewenberg from the Haight Ashbury Improvement Association invites you to write to DPW with your thoughts. He also invites you to CC him at tedlsf[at]sbcglobal[dot]net so he can provide feedback to the ICB.

Source: Uppercasing

Tully's abruptly closed on Cole Street in mid September, along with closing down all but one location in San Francisco. Haven't heard anything from Tully's why the sudden closing of most of their coffee shops but it might have something to do with SF somewhat unfriendly approach to franchises (what about Peet's and La Boulange (now owned by Starbucks?). More store fronts in our little neighborhood have been going under, from EOS this spring to Occasions, Hama-Ko, and now Tully's. Who will be next??!! 

We will miss the many evenings where the ColeValleySF team sat at those bench seats near the window and worked on blog post ideas and social media plans. We will miss those delicious coffee cake slices and their caffe mochas. 

What do you think will go into Tully's store front or rather what would you want in our neighborhood! We've heard neighbors ask for a bookstore, smoothie place, or thai restaurant. We want to hear your thoughts - share them with us on at @colevalleysf! 

The small, somewhat unknown sushi restaurant near the Carl/Cole intersection is rumored to be closing around the end of September 2012 after 28 years of being in operations. 

From the little knowledge we got from Chowhound, it seems as though they are closing up shop because the the husband and wife owners for retiring.

So you know what this means? If you haven't been to this little hole in the wall wonder, you better get your bum over there this month before they close their doors forever! And for those of you who are fans, be sure to come in every day to get your last tasty fixings of Hama-Ko's yummy sashimi.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/865923