Caltrain-Area Cafe Wins Unanimous Approval for Liquor License Transfer

The San Francisco Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee made quick work of its sole agenda item Sept. 10, unanimously backing a resolution to transfer an off-sale general liquor license to a 23-year-old cafe steps from the Caltrain station. The item now heads to the full Board of Supervisors.

• Taza D'Amore Cafe at 700 Fourth Street clears committee for off-sale beer, wine and spirits license. SFPD reports zero opposition, zero protest letters; recommends approval with seven conditions

A Neighborhood Fixture Gets Its License

The committee considered a person-to-person, premise-to-premise transfer of a Type 21 off-sale general license — covering beer, wine and distilled spirits for off-site consumption — to Taza Di Amore Inc., doing business as Taza D'Amore Cafe, at 700 Fourth Street in District 6.

Why it matters: The cafe has operated near the Caltrain station for more than two decades. Approval lets the business match the alcohol sales privileges held by the previous licensee who ran the location for 50 years, adding a convenience for commuters and neighborhood residents alike.

Where things stand: Officer Brandon Erickson, SFPD Alcoholic Beverage Control Liaison, presented the public convenience or necessity report. He told the committee the location sits in plot 288 — a low-crime area — though census tract 607.03 is classified as a high-concentration area for liquor licenses. Southern Station expressed no opposition, and the department received no letters of protest or support.

"They have applied for a Type 21 license and if approved, this would allow them to operate in off-sale general at 700 Fourth Street. There are zero letters of protest and zero letters of support," said Officer Erickson.

The SFPD Alcohol Liaison Unit recommended approval subject to seven conditions: active monitoring of adjacent areas to prevent loitering; keeping surrounding areas free of litter; alcohol sales restricted to 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; no exterior advertising of alcoholic beverages; graffiti removal within 72 hours; no wine sold above 15% alcohol by volume; and authorization for peace officers and ABC personnel to inspect the premises.

Marcus, the cafe's owner and applicant, spoke briefly in support: "Been there for 23 years, and we're just looking forward to serving all the patrons of Caltrain and have the same hours as the previous owner who was there 50 years. So we're just really excited to serve and be part of the Caltrain station."

No public comment was received.

Decisions: Chair Danny Sauter moved to direct the clerk to prepare a resolution with a positive recommendation to the full board, calling the business a welcome addition to the transit corridor.

"I'll certainly be supporting this. I think that it's a lovely amenity to have — to have the business and to have it serving all of our Caltrain riders and residents in the neighborhood," said Chair Sauter.

The motion passed 3-0 (For: Alan Wong, Bilal Mahmood, Danny Sauter; Against: none; Absent: none).

What's next: The resolution moves to the full Board of Supervisors, where it is expected on the Sept. 22 agenda for final action.