The P-I just got the memo about the impending condo development that will displace Winners Circle, the Cha Cha, Bimbo’s, Manray, and Kincora. Yes, this was in the Stranger three weeks ago [#], but the P-I held out on the story until they could find some blue collar patrons of the Cha Cha:

… on Saturday evening, Tom Wicken, 39, Mike Regan, 33, and Nick Anderson, 22, walked in carrying motorcycle helmets, having just gotten off work at the Auto Pro repair shop across the street.

Regan imagined the new development would charge higher rents and the kinds of the stores that could afford it would move in. “It’s like that Yuppie place over there on Pike,” he said, referring to a tapas bar. “They’re going to charge $7 for a beer.”

Wicken lamented, “I’m going to have to wear a clean shirt.” [p-i]

Although pricey beers seem likely, the long-term presence of auto repair shops in a shiny condo wonderland does not.