Union Street Update: Sweaty Betty Gains on Lorna Jane; Contrada Opens as Twig Is Closing

After 24 years of knick-knacks and novelties, Union Street staple Twig Gallery is closing its doors. 

The block between Fillmore and Webster has seen a lot of change in recent years, including the opening last week of Contrada in the old, odd, randomly open Cucina breakfast joint. But Twig and its odd, eclectic mix of candles, clocks, shower curtains, books and cool jewels stayed standing.

That will end soon, as the owner, citing competition from the Internet, is currently unloading a trove of unique items before shutting the doors.

Meanwhile, 1 block East, cleverly named British running and yoga clothier Sweaty Betty is set to take over the former 9 West shoe shop. The location is right next door to Australian "active living" retailer Lorna Jane, 1 block west of Canadian-founded yoga clothing luxurians Lululemon and down the street from Alameda activewear outfit Lucy.

Flores Opens on Union: Yes, They Kept Betelnut's Swaying Fans

Opens on Union: Yes, They Kept Betelnut's Swaying Fans

Retail Wrap-Up: The Only Constant Is Change

Holy Samurai Happy Hour! Umami Has Closed

Sad news for fans of cheap sushi and half-priced wine. Inside Scoop is reporting that Umami has closed.

Card Stalk: Papyrus Has Left Union Street

In yet another sign that the "paperless world" Dunder-Mifflin promised us is actually happening, the stalwart Papyrus shop on Union/Laguna is no more.

For the time being, if you need to send your nana a birthday card, you can hit up the branch on Chestnut or, better yet, the Union Street Paperie a couple of blocks west.

UPDATE: Looks like this Papyrus location did not close but downsized. The end of paper has been pushed back again.

Amorino Taking over Cultive Space on Union

Great news for Cow Hollow's ice cream lovers: Amorino, the beloved Parisian gelato chain, is opening this spring in the space that used to house the healthier-seeming Cultive frozen yogurt shop (which itself took over from the even-healthier-seeming Jamba Juice.)

Chestnut Bakery Out of Dough

Sad news for gluten-tolerant Marina denizens. The anti-crust culprit? Rent, of course.