WhiteWolfIndulgence
Prince Sascha
General Partner
Grants Pipe Shop
562 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415.981.1000
Email: grantspipeshop@gmail.com
URL: www.grantspipeshop.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Another S.F. Landmark Under Fire
San Franciscos Historic Grants Pipe Shop has been served with a 30-Day
Notice to Terminate Tenancy after 49 years at its current location and 163 years
in business.
San Francisco, CA, September 2012 Grants Pipe Shop is San Franciscos
oldest operating traditional tobacco shop, and its historic walk-in humidor was the
first in the State of California. Premium Tobacco enthusiasts from around the
world have been stopping by Grants Pipe Shops current Market Street location
since 1963, but the shops history begins with the Gold Rush of 1849. Originally
supplying miners and merchant seamen with premium tobaccos and fine pipes.
One of Grants most famous customers in the 1800s was local eccentric,
Emperor Norton. Grants Pipe Shop is one of San Franciscos oldest small
businesses.
Store managers of the previous shop owner, Edward L. Grant, had an
opportunity to continue this San Francisco legacy when they successfully took
ownership in 2004 after Mr. Grants passing in 2003. In 2006, the lease expired,
and the shop has been on a month-to-month lease ever since, despite numerous
attempts to negotiate for a longer-term lease.
The Chancery Building, in which Grants Pipe Shop is located, changed
ownership in 2009, but the buildings management, Kevin Colombo of Terra
Verde Commercial and new landlords Chelsea Pacific Holdings, LP, and
manager Zack Faidi of Chelsea Pacific Group, LLC, have rejected reasonable
negotiations.
Recently, the owners of the Chancery Building applied for a permit through the
San Francisco Building Department to construct build outs that will affect Grants
current space, including its historic walk-in humidor. When one of the General
Partners of Grants, Joe A. Barron, inquired about details, such as the length and
timing of multiple planned construction phases and other normal concerns of
tenants when negotiating these matters, the owners of the Chancery Building in
return served Grants with a 30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy, bringing about
what could be the end of this San Francisco institution.
Grants Pipe Shop is the latest in a series of San Francisco landmarks to come
under fire by local landlords eager to raise rents. Prior to serving the conviction
notice, the Chancery Building initially suggested doubling the rent in 2009, which
would have effectively put Grants out of business. Additionally, the Chancery
Buildings management has seemed more interested in probing Grants current
owners into selling the business or misleading Grants proprietors over the last
three years, leading to speculation that the buildings management or landlords
have never intended to offer the current owners of Grants Pipe Shop a long-term
lease to stabilize this historic shop.
Grants owners remain dedicated to maintaining the legacy and tradition of
quality expected of San Franciscos oldest and most well known tobacconist.
Quality inventory of tobacco products will be on clearance starting
September 18, 2012.
~~~
Needless to say I'm a bit pissed and upset. As are the guys at Grants.
Grants Pipe Shop
562 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415.981.1000
Email: grantspipeshop@gmail.com
URL: www.grantspipeshop.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Another S.F. Landmark Under Fire
San Franciscos Historic Grants Pipe Shop has been served with a 30-Day
Notice to Terminate Tenancy after 49 years at its current location and 163 years
in business.
San Francisco, CA, September 2012 Grants Pipe Shop is San Franciscos
oldest operating traditional tobacco shop, and its historic walk-in humidor was the
first in the State of California. Premium Tobacco enthusiasts from around the
world have been stopping by Grants Pipe Shops current Market Street location
since 1963, but the shops history begins with the Gold Rush of 1849. Originally
supplying miners and merchant seamen with premium tobaccos and fine pipes.
One of Grants most famous customers in the 1800s was local eccentric,
Emperor Norton. Grants Pipe Shop is one of San Franciscos oldest small
businesses.
Store managers of the previous shop owner, Edward L. Grant, had an
opportunity to continue this San Francisco legacy when they successfully took
ownership in 2004 after Mr. Grants passing in 2003. In 2006, the lease expired,
and the shop has been on a month-to-month lease ever since, despite numerous
attempts to negotiate for a longer-term lease.
The Chancery Building, in which Grants Pipe Shop is located, changed
ownership in 2009, but the buildings management, Kevin Colombo of Terra
Verde Commercial and new landlords Chelsea Pacific Holdings, LP, and
manager Zack Faidi of Chelsea Pacific Group, LLC, have rejected reasonable
negotiations.
Recently, the owners of the Chancery Building applied for a permit through the
San Francisco Building Department to construct build outs that will affect Grants
current space, including its historic walk-in humidor. When one of the General
Partners of Grants, Joe A. Barron, inquired about details, such as the length and
timing of multiple planned construction phases and other normal concerns of
tenants when negotiating these matters, the owners of the Chancery Building in
return served Grants with a 30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy, bringing about
what could be the end of this San Francisco institution.
Grants Pipe Shop is the latest in a series of San Francisco landmarks to come
under fire by local landlords eager to raise rents. Prior to serving the conviction
notice, the Chancery Building initially suggested doubling the rent in 2009, which
would have effectively put Grants out of business. Additionally, the Chancery
Buildings management has seemed more interested in probing Grants current
owners into selling the business or misleading Grants proprietors over the last
three years, leading to speculation that the buildings management or landlords
have never intended to offer the current owners of Grants Pipe Shop a long-term
lease to stabilize this historic shop.
Grants owners remain dedicated to maintaining the legacy and tradition of
quality expected of San Franciscos oldest and most well known tobacconist.
Quality inventory of tobacco products will be on clearance starting
September 18, 2012.
~~~
Needless to say I'm a bit pissed and upset. As are the guys at Grants.