Hillcrest Wienerschnitzel kaput

The Wienerschnitzel outlet at 101 W. Washington Street has vacated its yellow A-frame home. The tiny 385-square-foot building is boarded up, tagged with graffiti, and has no “for lease” or “for sale” signs on the property.

The “world's largest hot dog chain,” is owned by Galardi Group, Inc., headquartered in Irvine. Galardi Group franchise area director Rob Long said that the “location closed permanently as new property owner wants a change. Franchisee was month-to-month.”

Meanwhile, the building has been tagged with graffiti. The City of San Diego's “abatement of abandoned properties” ordinance requires that property owners must remove graffiti, post a “no trespassing sign” and post contact information.

In a statement, District 3 councilmember Todd Gloria said: “My office promptly requested staff open up a case at this location on 5/17/16, and will continue to work with staff to ensure the property is not a blight to the neighborhood.”

Leo Wilson, chair of Uptown Planners, spoke of possible plans for the site: “There is someone looking at placing a gourmet coffee shop at that location. It would have a drive-through but also a large outside seating area. Not sure they are moving forward; suggested they make an informational presentation at Uptown Planners to see how the community feels about it.”

According to San Diego County assessor records checked on May 23, the property is owned by “P M Klauber & D J Trust 1” of Long Beach and a few other entities; the assessor records didn't indicate a recent sale of the property.

Philip M. Klauber, who died in 2012, was a longtime San Diego civic leader, high-level SDG&E executive, and a major philanthropist. Klauber was cofounder of the San Diego Foundation and the first president of its board of governors.