I got a booklet from the Examiner "Bridge to Bridge" - it's either monthly or annual addition for tourists.

This is what they say about Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness: "isn't your typical strip mall, and is one of the best shopping destinations in the neighborhood".

Dunno what they've been drinking, or maybe it's me having a memory lapse, as far as I remember there is a tall condo building, bookstore, movie theater, Max and Japanese restaurant and a food store.

What kind of strip mall they are talking about? Is there a "strip" I should take my husband to

LOL Faina, where there you go..published by the Examiner. Pathetic what some travel brochures print for tourist. But if you think your husband would like a stip joint..well you are in SF dear one

The bookstore is going to be gone very soon--A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books is being forced to close, not long after the much-loved Cody's in Berkeley. Times are not good for independent bookstores.

I think the Clean Well Lighted Place For Books has closed, or will very shortly. And Cody's in Berkeley closing, so sad, Independant book stores are just not able to stay in business anymore. I love book stores but I guess websites plus B&N are putting independant book stores out of business.

Are all Cody's closing? What about the one... on Powell? or Stockton?

Good morning Faina, I believe it is just the Cody's on Telegraph in Berkeley. I haven't heard anything about the 4th St. Berkeley store or the Stockton St., SF store closing.

You are right, there really isn't much worth noting in Opera Plaza except Max's (still a great place for a NY-style deli fix) and the theater. And the area gets "sketchy" late at night. Although A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books closed abruptly, something like 2 weeks notice, another bookstore was supposedly going in there.

The Cody's on 4th street in Berkeley will remain open.