Iconic Philz Coffee Shop in San Francisco’s Mission District Closes After 20 Years
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In a bittersweet moment for coffee lovers and loyal customers, Philz Coffee closed its original shop in San Francisco’s Mission District on Monday. For two decades, Philz Coffee has been a beloved fixture, capturing the hearts and mornings of millions across the country.
The closure of this iconic location marked the end of an era for many customers, including San Francisco resident Cher Soto. As a teenager and now a mother, Soto has fond memories of visiting the shop. “This is really sad. We actually rushed out of the house just to make it in time. Like we have to be there. It’s sad, but you don’t see any of the familiar faces anymore,” expressed Soto.
The last cup of coffee was served at 1 p.m., leaving customers like Soto reminiscing about the days when Phil, the owner, would sit on the bench and engage in conversations with her kids. “I love Phil. Personally, I love Phil. We used to come and sit out here, and he would talk to my kids when they were little. He would give them advice,” shared Soto.
Philz Coffee, which first opened its doors in 2003, has since expanded to over 60 locations, with the majority in California. While the closure of its first location is sentimental, the business will continue to thrive. “We are just closing because we did not renew the lease. There is just a lot to do behind the lease, and it made sense for us to not do it,” explained Chris Watts, Philz Coffee store lead. “While it’s the original, the spirit is built from here.”
However, the closure of Philz Coffee is not an isolated incident. Throughout the Mission District, many businesses are facing a lack of foot traffic and dwindling sales. Media Noche, a beloved Cuban restaurant, is among the establishments forced to close its doors at the end of the month, after serving the neighborhood for six years. Maria Mendez, the chef at Media Noche, expressed her emotional attachment to the restaurant, stating, “The restaurant is like my home because I work full-time, 40 hours a week. It’s almost my house. That’s so hard.”
According to the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, San Francisco reported twice as many restaurant closures as openings in 2022. Laurie Thomas, the Executive Director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, pointed to a lack of sales and foot traffic as the primary reasons behind these closures. “Unfortunately, it’s been really slow in that area, particularly around Valencia Street. The restaurant owners we have talked to, who’ve made those hard decisions to close, cited a lack of sales and foot traffic, as well as a decline in bar business,” explained Thomas.
As loyal customers bid farewell to the original Philz Coffee shop, Cher Soto decided to bring closure to the occasion by calling Phil, the owner and founder, on speakerphone. Phil had a heartfelt message for everyone: “Okay everybody, I want to thank you all so much for your dedication and love to help us because Philz Coffee is like a grandma’s house. Full of love and passion.”
While the closure of the original Philz Coffee shop may be seen as the end of an era, the spirit and legacy of Philz Coffee will continue to thrive in its many other locations. Coffee lovers across the country can continue to enjoy the signature taste and warm community atmosphere that Philz has become known for.