by Ken Katz The Noir City Film Festival, which ended on the 29th, was a huge success at the Grand Lake box office, but it also directly benefited at least two Grand Avenue businesses. Attendees attired in period dress ventured up the block to snap up copies of Dark City and books in the film […]
Ken Katz
Grand Avenue Merchant News – January 2023
by Ken Katz If you were passing the Grand Lake Theatre during daylight hours early in December, you may have been a bit perplexed by the marquee, which listed nothing but movies that were hot stuff back in 1987. On the other hand, if you were anywhere in the commercial district on the evening of […]
I’m Retiring! Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Me?
by Ken Katz Several times in the recent past, I’ve announced that I want to turn over management of the Splash Pad News once we celebrate the park’s 20th Anniversary in October 2023. So far, no one has stepped up to the plate, and I’m worried that a publication that subscribers look forward to every […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – December 2022
by Ken Katz The current hot topic on Grand Avenue is a proposal by the Ohana Cannabis Company to open a dispensary at 3838 Grand, next door to One Medical. A city administrative hearing on Ohana’s application took place on October 24. Despite limited meeting notifications, fifteen individuals spoke in opposition and two in support. […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – November 2022
by Ken Katz What we’ve been referring to previously as Stars/Dollars/Hearts formally opened at 3221 Grand this past weekend but with a new moniker: Two Two. They feature a broad array of highly creative merchandise ranging from high couture fashions to gourmet chocolates—all produced by up-and-coming designers. This is how owner CC Doan describes their […]
Will History Repeat Itself?
by Ken Katz The 580 freeway completed in the early 1960s was so well landscaped that Parade magazine named it the “Most Beautiful Urban Highway in the USA.” One of its major features was the addition of a small triangular park (separated from the freeway by Lake Park Way) with a pond as its centerpiece […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – October 2022
by Ken Katz If you currently do a Google search for Cycle Sports, a notification pops up saying that it’s temporarily closed and now owned by Trek Bicycles. Yesterday afternoon, when we happened upon the closed sign surrounded outside by multiple display fixtures, wood pallets and piles of cardboard, we were initially dismayed to learn […]
Having Inadequate Mental Health Services is Insane
by Ken Katz Last month, I reported that “Howard,” a homeless individual whose behavior on Lakeshore and Grand has long been extremely disruptive and destructive, was apparently hospitalized for several months and was now back on the streets. I predicted that, without supportive housing, his behavior would rapidly deteriorate, and that’s exactly what has occurred. […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – September 2022
by Ken Katz We’re thrilled to report that the Knimble space on Grand Avenue has just been leased. The new tenant, ReLove, already has a very successful location on Polk Street in San Francisco which their website describes as… A re-sale boutique offering a curated mix of vintage, designer, and independent labels. We hand select […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – August 2022
by Ken Katz This past Thursday, an Art Walk on Grand Avenue involved six locally-owned local businesses: Radbird, Megadeluxe, Alyce on Grand, Urban Furniture & Boutique, Brother & Sisters Flower Shop, and Sister Restaurant. The initial stimulus for the event came from Tracey Williams, the Founder and Executive Director of Urban University, who was one […]