As you drive in and around the Richmond District, you have no doubt noticed the wide variety of banks that line our streets. Nestled in among national heavyweights like Bank of America and Wells Fargo are smaller savings and loans like United Commercial Bank, The Bank of East Asia, California Bank, Affinity Bank, Sterling Bank, and countless other names you may not have heard before.

It turns out that the Richmond District has the most balanced, and possibly most competitive banking market in the country. This is according to a recent article in the New York Times entitled “A Banking Battleground”. The article discusses the power of small banks which nationwide, hold nearly half of bank deposits overall ($1.05 billion).

In this era of large banks failing, some people are moving their money to smaller community banks and credit unions.

So where do you bank? Are you with a big player like BofA or Wells? Or have you placed your savings or investments with a smaller local or regional institution, perhaps right here in the neighborhood?

Thanks to Woody for the tip.

Sarah B.

Map courtesy of the New York Times. See larger version.

Last night I tried out a new Richmond District food business called Soup Galaxy (website). The concept is simple: every week, Soup Galaxy offers a homemade, fresh soup that you can have delivered to your doorstep.

This week’s soup was Spicy Kale Chowder with Andouille Sausage. When I got home last night, I found a nifty cooler pack sitting on my doorstep. Inside were two, 1-quart jars of the fresh soup (labeled with each soup’s full ingredients), surrounded by ice packs. I cut up some bread, threw together a quick salad and voila, dinner was served in about 20 minutes.

The soup was delicious. Rich flavors, lots of fresh and organic vegetables, plus it was homemade. I would have liked a little more andouille sausage in it but that’s the carnivore in me coming out.

Each jar/quart of soup is $10 and that’s enough soup for two people. You can purchase a reusable cooler bag with your order for $3.50 more, or leave your own cooler out for the delivery.

It’s free to sign up and every week, you’ll get an email announcing the next soup. Then if you want to try it, place your order by Thursday night. Order 1 jar or many if you plan on building a dinner party around it.

Soup Galaxy, whose tag line is “feel-good cosmic soup!”, just started their business in February. They currently deliver to portions of the Richmond District, Seacliff, Sunset, and St. Francis Woods neighborhoods (check delivery areas). Orders are dropped off every Monday between 8am and 4pm (you don’t have to be home for delivery; they can leave it on your doorstep).

Next week’s soup is Caldo de Pollo, a Mexican soup prepared in a house made stock with pulled chicken, coarsely chopped vegetables with hints of lime, cayenne, and jalapeno. I’ve already placed my order.

For more information, visit soupgalaxy.com.

Sarah B.

Is this the secret to Green Apple’s longevity? Every year for Chinese New Year, the lion dancers come by and bless the bookstore with drums, dancing and firecrackers. Photo courtesy of The Green Apple Core Blog.

Sarah B.

The ladies of Paul’s Hat Works are becoming celebrities before our very eyes. Watch their segment from a recent episode of Channel 5’s “Eye on the Bay”, where the show profiled Mom & Pop factories in the Bay Area.

Sarah B.

Last fall, I stumbled upon “Modern Relics”, a unique boutique and gallery at Cabrillo near 8th Avenue. Owner Alix Blüh and her dog, Jack, greeted me warmly and showed me around the store which features old fashioned, intricate displays that mesh intriguing objects with lovely, handcrafted jewelry. Read my profile of Modern Relics here

If you can’t manage to make it to the gallery or if you prefer to do your shopping online, Modern Relics has a new website where you can shop for Alix’s handmade jewelry including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings.

In celebration of the launch, Alix is offering visitors 10% off their purchase, either online at alixbluh.com or at the store at 771 Cabrillo. Just enter the code “launchblast10″ at checkout on the website, or mention the discount when you pop in the store.

Tell Alix and Jack that RichmondSFBlog sent ya,

Sarah B.

Most of the time when you’re in a laundromat, waiting on your washer or dryer, you’re probably wishing you could be doing something more productive.

Enter Amybelle’s Wash & Dry (3220 Balboa) who is stepping up to try and make a difference during our employment-challenged times.

Owners Elmer and Amy Capule are inviting neighbors who need career advice or resume help to stop by the laundromat to get free help from Amy, who is a seasoned human resources professional.

“We will be hosting individual resume critiques and helping with interviewing skills. We believe this will be beneficial to the Richmond community especially during these challenging times,” says owner Elmer Capule.

Free help is available every Saturday from 10am to 12noon, beginning January 2. So if you’re in the job market or are thinking about getting back into it, stop by Amybelle’s Wash & Dry at 3220 Balboa for a helping hand.

For more information or to schedule a private session, contact Amy Capule at 341-7097 or by email.

Sarah B.

Jessica Sennett and Lizzy Myers, two “pie masterminds” as they like to call themselves, have started up a new business here in the neighborhood called Golden Crust, offering scrumptious homemade pies for any occasion.

With the holidays upon us, here’s your chance to take one task off your to-do list. The ladies are offering pies of all kinds for the holidays, including traditional flavors with a bit of a twist. Their holiday menu:

Pecan and Mandarin – $20
Meyer Lemon Meringue – $20
Cafe au Chocolat with Caramelized Hazelnuts – $20
Upside Down Caramelized Pear and Quince Tart – $18
Sweet Potato Bourbon – $15
Pumpkin Bourbon – $15
Apple Medley with Lattice Crust- $20

Prices vary due to the expense of ingredients and labor, and if needed, they can bake a vegan option for you too.

Golden Crust is now taking Christmas orders. Just email them at thegoldencrust@gmail.com with your name, address, phone number and what pie(s) you would like. You can pick up your order the evening of December 23rd or on the afternoon of the 24th at both Inner Richmond and Bernal Heights locations.

Thanks to the Green Apple Blog for the golden tip.

Sarah B.

I sighed heavily when I saw new phone books stacked up in my front entrance to my building. Really? Are these still useful in this age of internet and smartphones? Maybe it’s a generational thing; my mom says she uses the yellow pages fairly often. What do you plan to do with your new phone book?