Even then it was CLOSING! Wink wink.
If you lived in the Richmond District or shopped on Clement Street in the past two decades, then you’ve surely chuckled at the “Going out of Business!” sale signs plastered all over the windows of the “Linen Outlet” store, located at 1001 Clement on the corner of 11th Avenue.
Year after year, the store screamed that it was going out of business – but never did. The business even ran television ads on local cable, advertising their blowout sales because they were “going out of business!”. The photo above from Google Maps, showing “Store Closing!” signs in their windows, was taken in 2017.
But just over a month ago the unthinkable happened – the Linen Outlet actually closed. Inventory got scarcer and scarcer, fixtures began disappearing, and then one day, everything was gone – including the garish window signs.
And so concluded what was perhaps the longest ever going out of business sale.
This past weekend as we walked by the building that used to house the Linen Outlet, we noticed something pretty cool: the old “Loret’s” store sign has been revealed underneath the facade. Apparently the Linen Outlet was a continuation / reincarnation of Loret’s, which sold window coverings and linens according to the sign.
If you do find yourself missing the Linen Outlet, don’t dismay. They still have an outlet open in Daly City that you can visit. But hurry, they might be going out of business soon.
Sarah B.
A very long time ago they had a cat who had kittens. Sooooo adorable to walk by and see them playing in the windows!!!!
Well that is just an unfair competitive business advantage! Kittens for the win 🙂
They got the idea of the “Going out of business” signs from the Syrian linen stores around Broadway in New York City from the 1950s.
Great write up and humorous last sentence!
I’m still skeptical. They did the same thing around 6 months ago, awning removal and all. I got quite a chuckle from the exposed sign for Loret’s at the time. My jaw dropped when I saw the linen outlet back up and running! Only time will tell!
I agree with Danielle. None of this gives me any reason to believe that they won’t come back.
Never forget West Coast Leathers never-ending going out of business sale(s)
This is so interesting. Sarah, you’ll have to apprise us all ASAP if the Linen Outlet has indeed called it quits or, as some have stated, the LO might not necessarily be done just yet and they once again, reopen. This story kind of reminds of the “mystery” of the opening, then sudden closing, of the “De Place” restaurant at 21st and Geary, back in Spring 2013. I sort of figured De Place was going to reopen, despite the signs saying they were closed, and no, it never did. If past performance is any indicator of future performance, (and taking into account of what Danielle mentioned) I’d too am somewhat cynical that the Linen Outlet is genuinely out of business for good.
The Happy Cafe catty-corner to the Linen Outlet closed a few years back and it’s still vacant. It had interesting, tasty and reasonably priced food, but got a health department notice and never reopened. I personally never had any issue with the food, though the clerks spoke little English. Seems buffet style Chinese restaurants, still very popular in Chinatown, are on the decline on Clement.
There is a DIFFERENCE between “going out of business”, and “STORE CLOSING”……….think about it !!
OMG! I just placed an online order from them over 100 dollars so I hope they are still in business online. Now I’m worried.