James Salazar

1 week ago | sfexaminer.com | James Salazar

A trio of spaces that opened in the Castro within the last decade are breathing new life into the neighborhood and cultivating community by bringing different generations of people together. The operators’ establishments all say they want the Castro to continue being a space where all are welcome. “One of the challenges of the modern era is finding connections,” said Paul Miller, co-founder of The Academy.

1 week ago | sfexaminer.com | James Salazar

The crowds at The Mint are just as diverse as the San Francisco karaoke lounge’s list of songs, according to longtime employees and customers, and both have continuously drawn visitors to the edge — or, depending upon who you ask, just beyond — the Castro for years.

1 week ago | sfweekly.com | James Salazar

The crowds at The Mint are just as diverse as the San Francisco karaoke lounge’s list of songs, according to longtime employees and customers, and both have continuously drawn visitors to the edge — or, depending upon who you ask, just beyond — the Castro for years.

1 week ago | sfexaminer.com | James Salazar

Employees at The Sausage Factory said they want customers who step inside the Castro Street restaurant’s wood-paneled dining room to walk out feeling like members of an extended family. Owner Mario Azzolino took over the family-operated Italian restaurant and pizzeria from his uncle in 2018, 50 years after it first opened. After serving the Castro for nearly 60 years, Azzolino said he wants to introduce the Sausage Factory — and the joys of sharing meals — to new generations of patrons.

1 week ago | sfexaminer.com | James Salazar

Employees at The Sausage Factory said they want customers who step inside the Castro Street restaurant’s wood-paneled dining room to walk out feeling like members of an extended family. Owner Mario Azzolino took over the family-operated Italian restaurant and pizzeria from his uncle in 2018, 50 years after it first opened. After serving the Castro for nearly 60 years, Azzolino said he wants to introduce the Sausage Factory — and the joys of sharing meals — to new generations of patrons.