San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Landlord to help find new home for S.F. restaurant facing closure
Longtime Vietnamese restaurant Sai’s has a lease expiring this month after almost four decades in the Financial District, jeopardizing its survival. The restaurant’s landlord is offering to help find the 37year-old, family-owned business a new permanent location after reports that the owners were scrambling to find an alternative.
KRON first reported the restaurant’s potential closure and that owner Inmy Chi was blindsided after being offered a renewal earlier this year, but then being ordered to vacate.
Landlord Shvo, which bought the nearby Transamerica Pyramid, said the restaurant can’t stay in the 505 Washington St. building because the company is planning to redevelop the property.
“We have been in touch with the family’s representatives to let them know that the restaurant can continue to operate while we provide resources to help find a new permanent space. We regret the miscommunication that occurred and remain committed to helping ensure a seamless transition,” the New York company said in a statement. “Shvo has been proud to work with Sai’s Restaurant throughout the pandemic to help the restaurant remain open, amending the family’s lease and forgiving rent on multiple occasions.”
An employee at Sai’s said the owners weren’t available for comment on Tuesday.
Shvo founder Michael Shvo told The Chronicle last month that an office building is planned at 545 Sansome St., which is attached to Sai’s onestory space. Details haven’t been finalized but a City Planning filing calls for the demolition of the restaurant space.
Sai’s departure is one of numerous changes for the block. The 1972 Pyramid will welcome a high-end Core club next year with three private restaurants, and Shvo said another three public restaurants are interested in opening at the pyramid. The tower is also being renovated.
A dearth of office workers has threatened the livelihood of numerous downtown restaurants — and created new vacancies where Sai’s could move.
“Sadly there are a number of potential opportunities within two blocks,” said Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who represents the area.
Peskin said he plans to nominate Sai’s to the city’s Legacy Business registry, which makes it eligible for city aid. He said the restaurant owners spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to build out the restaurant.
Peskin said the restaurant is “beloved” and sits in a unique spot where the Financial District, Jackson Square and Chinatown come together.
The restaurant owners have raised more than $4,000 on GoFundMe to help support the relocation.