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After two and a half years in the Mission, Local's Corner, the seafood spot from Yaron Milgrom's Local's empire will close on November 29th. Despite the mountains of adoration from Michael Bauer, the menu of sustainable seafood couldn't draw in enough customers to fill the 26 seats. Nor could it overcome the accusations of gentrification and discrimination lobbed by repeated protests earlier this year.
In a letter to Inside Scoop, Milgrom says the problems at the restaurant began before the protests, but those certainly were a factor in the impending closure. Chef de cuisine Timothy Malloy, named the Chronicle's Rising Star Chef for 2014, also decamped for Seattle, which apparently helped seal the restaurant's fate.
When we opened in April of 2012, we never thought we would be writing this sentence just two-and-a-half years later. On opening, the food was beautiful and unique, impeccably sourced, and the fullest representation of local seafood in the city. The space felt charming and warm. We felt sure of our vision and its execution. [...]
Before ACCE and vandalism, we were not in good shape. Certainly, neither helped. Though its impact was less financial than emotional. More than the sting, it was the cumulative wear.
We considered a pivot and shift, to reopen with a different restaurant. Though recently, as we weighed next steps, we bore significant departures of kitchen management, including Timmy, Chef de Cuisine of Local's Corner, who will be headed to Seattle.
The operational challenge of hiring, emotional loss of losing key staff, and cumulative financial losses made an easy conclusion of a hard decision.
The restaurant's last day of service will be November 29th. According to Milgrom, Local Mission Eatery, Local Mission Market and Local Cellar are all "in their best shape," and most of the staff will be able to stay within the company. The space is currently up for grabs and the restaurant group is looking "a passionate operator" to take over. Until they find one, it will be available for private events and pop-ups.
