The much-anticipated reopening of the revamped Castro Theatre has hit a snag, thanks to PG&E playing hard-to-get with the power supply. The project manager, Margaret Casey, let slip at a Castro Merchants meeting that the summer debut is a no-go, and those dreams of a Pride Month celebration in the iconic venue are about to be dashed.

Instead, we might be peeking through the curtain sometime in late 2025, specifically October or November. Thanks, PG&E! They’re well-known for their efficiency, said no one ever. Casey explained that the theater’s reopening hinges on new lighting and sound systems, and that’s a company that loves to keep things complicated. It’s like they’re auditioning for a role in a bad soap opera.

In a twist of events that would make any soap star jealous, it turns out that the delay also impacts local businesses that had their hopes set on a surge of patrons. Castro Coffee Company owner Ken Khoury and his adjacent neighbor, a nail salon owner, are sweating bullets over negotiations with the landlord, the Nasser family. It appears their three-year lease, the very thing keeping the caffeine and manicures flowing at those storefronts, is up in the air.

Khoury’s facing a potential eviction as soon as June, leaving him to wonder who told PG&E they could be the main villain in this community drama. Nate Bourg, treasurer of the Castro Merchants, chimed in with the obligatory reminder that negotiations are private, but let’s be real, these businesses keep the Castro vibrant. Who else is going to keep you caffeinated and your nails fabulous while the repainted theater sits dormant?

The irony? PG&E’s flickering presence could very well shadow the revived theater’s return and the street’s business health. It looks like both the Castro Theatre and the local establishments will have to wait a bit longer for their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Here’s hoping the coffee stays hot and the negotiations remain productive.