More Ch-ch-ch-changes

I promised the follow-up to my "Ch-ch-ch-changes" post a couple days ago, but I've actually been down with a Moulin-Rouge-level consumptive episode.  Otherwise known as a "Man cold."  But I'm back upright for the time being, so here are some more changing storefronts in the Castro right now:

• The North Beach Chinese Restaurant Brandy Ho's has finally uncovered its Castro storefront and is getting ready for its long-delayed opening.
  

  Welcome to our neighbor, Ho.
  Back when I talked with one of the owners, Jimmy Lam, for the B.A.R. piece, the opening was forecast for September but when I ran into him the other day he said that the new opening is set for early February.  Considering that the reno was budgeted at about a million dollars (and having recently gone through a monster reno myself) it is understandable that there would be delays.  Here's a photo that I took of Lam and the interior while it was still in process:
  

  Jimmy Lam, co-owner of Brandy Ho's
  The interior concept was supposed to be reminiscent on the inside of a wine barrel, with the wood structures behind Lam fitting into the corner of the ceiling, to give a gradual coving from the wall onto the ceiling.  Peeking into the store now it seems that they have mostly stuck with that idea, and the interior looks sleek and Valentine's Day date-friendly.
  
  
• Scents-and-soaps dealer Bare Necessities on Castro has become another hair salon, Lisa's Hair Design.  This picture was taken before work started on Milk-ifying the storefront, and now the awning is completely gone.  I wonder if this will give them the opportunity and the capital to fix the name on the awning, or if they'll just leave it down.
  

  Lisa cuts in
  The Lisa in the store's title is the same stylist who used to work around the corner at Nice Cuts.  Bao Tonthat, who opened the chic Salon Baobao next to Mecca, also previously worked his shears at Nice Cuts, and I believe that the two of them were the most popular stylists there.  This goes to show how competitive the hair market is in the Castro, but it's also a testament to how big the market has become that the 'hood can support so many salons.  I have had co-workers who told me that they actually drive into the Castro just to get their hair cut.
  
  
• Clobba closed down their femme-focused store on Market Street at the end of last year.
  

  Clobba'd
  I'm told that the owner of Sui Generis, the designer boutique on Church Street, has plans for the site, but I don't know yet if it is a move or a second store.