This past August we wrote about Therapy, the successful purveyor of expensive/hip furniture, being forced out of its Valencia Street location by a looming 84% rent increase. Following on the heels of other established businesses pressured to leave the 16th and Valencia area, Therapy’s dilemma seemed like only the latest example of an increasingly common trend. 

There was much speculation as to who the eventual new tenant would be, with some commenters suggesting that this was merely another step toward the inevitable mallification of Valencia Street. As such, it was with great interest that we read this post from Mr. Eric Sir:

Local backpack and messenger bag company Mission Workshop appears to be moving to the old Therapy Furniture spot on Valencia at 16th. But here’s the interesting thing: their old store on Rondel is right behind the Valencia location. […]

So the old and new locations share a common wall. If they wanted to — and I should stress that no building permits have been filed as of today — they could bust out some axes and make one huge store.

There is no word as to whether Mission Workshop is paying the $10,500 a month rent, as demanded by the location’s landlord in August. And while on the face of it this seems like a risky move for Mission Workshop, as their rent is no doubt skyrocketing, we can (and should) take solace in the fact that the location is staying local.

It seems that the mallifaction of Valencia Street may have taken a break, if only a brief one.

[Mr. Eric Sir]