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Bar Oliver Expanded to Fillmore Street

The restaurant plans to open at 2259 Fillmore St. in a space formerly occupied by Alice & Olivia.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bar Oliver Expanded to Fillmore Street

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Restaurateur Aisa Shelley is bringing a second location of her Manhattan-based concept, Bar Oliver, to the Fillmore District. The new outpost will feature an open hearth and a full bar, marking a fresh addition to the commercial corridor.

Why it matters

The opening follows a $100 million investment by the Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project, led by Neil Mehta, which aims to reshape the neighborhood's business landscape. The strategy involves buying properties to curate specific tenants, impacting the retail mix on this historic street.

The Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project has directed over $100 million into local commercial activity to secure new storefronts. The exact timeline for the restaurant at 2259 Fillmore St. is still pending.

The players

Aisa Shelley

A restaurateur who operates existing dining locations in Manhattan.

Neil Mehta

The leader of the Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project who is purchasing properties to bring new businesses to the neighborhood where he grew up.

The details

The project team focuses on acquiring properties to hand-pick businesses for Fillmore Street, directly replacing former retail tenants. The new restaurant space was previously occupied by Alice & Olivia. While the restaurant prepares for its local launch, attention also remains on the neighboring historic Clay Theater, which could potentially see a revival by next year.

Timeline

  1. 2020: The Clay Theater closed its doors after 110 years of operation.

  2. 2024: The original Bar Oliver restaurant opened in Lower Manhattan.

  3. August 2026: Neil Mehta's group purchased a building on Fillmore Street.

  4. Next year: The Clay Theater could potentially reopen.

Across the Bay

This opening follows the model of the Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project's commercial development strategy, which aims to curate the neighborhood's business mix. It marks a continued departure from the street's historical retail landscape, following the closure of long-standing venues like the Clay Theater.

Residents can expect new dining options at 2259 Fillmore St. as the restaurant prepares to open. The revitalization efforts on the block suggest a shifting mix of businesses will continue to emerge along the street throughout the coming year.

The takeaway

Keep an eye on the 2200 block of Fillmore Street to see which other commercial tenants follow the revitalization project's entry into the area. Track the potential reopening of the historic Clay Theater, which remains a key benchmark for the neighborhood's recovery.

What happens next

The community is watching for a potential reopening of the Clay Theater, which is currently projected to be possible by next year.

Further reading

For more on the changing retail landscape in the neighborhood, visit Openings & Closings.

Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.

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