Gump's iconic Buddha statue plays a quirky role in the store's recent revival + more topics to discuss over brunch
The iconic Gump's Buddha statue sold at auction for $4 million; a replica will live in Gump's new store. (Courtesy of Christie's)

Gump's iconic Buddha statue plays a quirky role in the store's recent revival + more topics to discuss over brunch

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If you were ever a shopper at Gump's, you've likely said hello to the store's iconic eight-foot Buddha statue; years ago, it captured the eye of a certain kid who grew up to be an investor in the store. That very Buddha would lead to that kid's ownership of Gump's and the store's current revival in Union Square.

Plus, Joan Osborne collapsed during the final song of her Rooster Stage Hardly Strictly set, Trick Dog criticizes the World's 50 Best, PG&E power outages harm local businesses, and more headlines you may have missed this week.



Pilot program for Lombard Street toll nears approval, SF Examiner

SF's crookedest street is about to get a little less crowded! While Governor Gavin Newsom still needs to give the final go, the San Francisco Country Transportation Authority board approved $700,000 of funds for a toll program that would restrict the number of vehicles driving down the street at a time. Read more.


Joan Osborne collapses at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass during festival's hottest day, Datebook

Sunday temperatures reached 84 degrees, causing the singer-songwriter to end her Rooster Stage set mid "One of Us." Osborne later confirmed her heat stroke recovery and thanked fans for singing the rest of her song. Read more.


PG&E shut-off: Your food is spoiled, business shut down—can you file a claim with the utility?SF Chronicle

While power is finally coming back across the Bay, the damage to small businesses has already been done. Read more.



SF Bar on World's 50 Best List Condemns Awards for Excluding Women, Eater SF

Despite being named one of the World's 50 Best Bars, local watering hole Trick Dog spoke up against the organization's lack of inclusion of women and choice to honor German bartender Charles Shumann with the Industry Icon of 2019 award despite his past sexist remarks. Read more.


Habitat For Humanity Spends Just $10 To Buy Pleasant Hill Parcel, Will Build Affordable Housing, SFist

The city of Pleasant Hill reportedly turned down a $250,000 offer, instead selling the one-eighth of an acre lot to Habitat For Humanity for just $10. Plans for a seven-townhouse complex are in the works. Read more.


San Francisco's Department Store Buddha Reveals Its Longheld Secret, Wall Street Journal

After auctioning off the iconic gold Buddha statue housed at Gump's for decades, investment banker John Chachas has big plans to revive the closed luxury department store—and find a home for the commissioned replica. Read more.

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