December 15, 2009
565 Castro: A Tipster’s Off Handed Comment (And Actual Update)
It’s not exactly our usual fare, but for a bit a early week levity by way of a plugged-in tipster and San Francisco’s Planning Commission Agenda for tomorrow:
565 CASTRO STREET - on the east side of Castro Street between 18th and 19th Streets; Lot 062 in Assessor’s Block 3583 - Request for a Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303, 715.54, and 790.60, to allow a massage establishment (dba Hand Job) to operate within the Castro Neighborhood Commercial District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
Our tipster’s off handed (ba-dump-bump) comment: "…I hope one of the conditions is reconsideration of the name."
To bring the story full circle (which is why the tip made our cut), it was two years ago we broke the news that First American Title which had occupied the space was closing down due to "market conditions" at the time.
UPDATE: The reader's comment we wish we would have thought of first: "I hope the tipster will let us know if this story has a happy ending."
∙ First American Title Co. Closing Castro Branch (565 Castro Street) [SocketSite]
∙ Planning Commission Agenda: Thursday, December 17, 2009 [SFGov]
First Published: December 15, 2009 1:30 PM
Comments from "Plugged In" Readers
i think the name's pretty clever. unless, of course, they are actually giving hand jobs.
Posted by: anon$random at December 15, 2009 1:31 PM
I hope the tipster will let us know if this story has a happy ending.
Posted by: SausalitoRes at December 15, 2009 1:38 PM
I don't think the name will be too out of place.
Posted by: D at December 15, 2009 1:39 PM
Come on guys. Let's be serious.
Posted by: eddy at December 15, 2009 1:40 PM
Would this be a release of pent-up supply?
Posted by: OneEyedMan at December 15, 2009 1:50 PM
Hand Job is already open. They need to open Blow Job now (hair stylists, of course). To complete the trifecta a bike shop is needed - Rim Job.
Posted by: Michael at December 15, 2009 1:53 PM
No love for two years
First American Title
New happy ending
Posted by: OneEyedMan at December 15, 2009 1:58 PM
This story rubs me the wrong way.
Posted by: JayDawg at December 15, 2009 2:09 PM
will this establishment feature male or female hands?
Posted by: priced_out_with_envy at December 15, 2009 3:04 PM
This place has been open for a while! Why is it only going thru planning commission now?
Posted by: Krismet at December 15, 2009 3:16 PM
Krismet, the business is currently open as a relatively upscale mani/pedi place (hence the "clever" hand job). Now they want to add massages, which indeed makes their choice of names a little uncomfortable, if you were reading the application without context. However, it does appear to be a very legitimate business. It's just playing on a long line of Castro neighborhood store names like "Hot and Hunky" (and old burger place) or "Rock Hard" (a porn emporium.
Posted by: curmudgeon at December 15, 2009 3:55 PM
"Does your father know?" is a good one.
Posted by: sparky-b at December 15, 2009 4:21 PM
Hopefully they'll open a staffing company to help staff all these companies as well - "Odd Job"
Posted by: Xaxio at December 15, 2009 4:52 PM
this is a very slippery slope they're on with those pervy names.
Posted by: noearch at December 15, 2009 7:53 PM
Best. Thread. Ever.
I LOL'd in my pants.
Posted by: Kurt Brown at December 16, 2009 3:10 AM
This place has been open for a while...gotten a few hand jobs there myself...I think its a clever name for a mani-pedi place...
Posted by: Poor in PacHeights at December 16, 2009 5:17 AM
As someone who lives in this neighborhood, I think we deserve better.
Posted by: bgelldawg at December 16, 2009 7:36 AM
As someone who also lives in the neighborhood, I think we need a sense of humor.
Posted by: curmudgeon at December 16, 2009 8:16 AM
@michael who said "Hand Job is already open. They need to open Blow Job now (hair stylists, of course). To complete the trifecta a bike shop is needed - Rim Job."
LOL. And you forgot a few more -
. 'Bust A Nut' (organic nut store).
. 'Hug those Twins' (products for new born babies)
. 'Adopt-a-Beaver' (exotic pet store)
. 'Dick's Cream' (bakery and creamery owned by person named Dick Something)
I could go on and on here guys :)
Posted by: Chad at December 16, 2009 9:33 AM
I get my carpal tunnel treated next door at "Fist"
Posted by: anon at December 16, 2009 9:49 AM
Don't forget the butcher shop called "Nobody Beats Our Meat."
Posted by: JimBobJones at December 16, 2009 9:54 AM
I love the owners Will & Tevin and they deserve kudos for opening a new business in these difficult economic times. Hand Job may not succeed in Fresno or Bakersfield; but the Castro is neither!
Posted by: Tony at December 16, 2009 2:21 PM
I just LOVE a happy ending!
Posted by: marko1332 at December 16, 2009 2:54 PM
And don't forget the thirty-year old Castro bar, Moby Dick. Thank god there is still some élan in the gay community, and everything is not politically correct. Have a little fun girls.
Posted by: Jim at December 16, 2009 6:05 PM
I would not go into a shop called hand job if the mani pedi's were free.
I hear they are actually pretty good.
So my nose/my face (my hands/my feet?)
Posted by: kathleen at December 17, 2009 12:56 PM
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