Small Business Commission

Divisadero Corridor Recovers From Fires as Night Markets Energize Neighborhoods

Commissioners reported two Divisadero restaurant fires, a quilting store grand opening, and upcoming night markets in Visitation Valley and Chinatown.

15 New Alcohol Licenses Coming in September; Mobile Food Cart Program Nears Launch

Director Ting announced 15 new alcohol licenses for downtown and neighborhoods, reopened the barrier removal grant, and said the compact mobile food operation permit is near citywide launch.

Why it matters: The new alcohol licenses and mobile food permits create concrete revenue opportunities for entrepreneurs, while the barrier removal grant helps businesses comply with ADA requirements affordably.

Stabilization Grants Capped at Five Years as Budget Crunch Swells Waitlist

The commission approved restructured grant rules capping landlord grants at five years and added an amendment barring formula retail tenants, over one dissent and procedural objections.

Why it matters: The program's budget was slashed from $1M to $437K this fiscal year while demand grew, forcing the city to shorten grant terms to free up slots for new applicants currently being turned away.

Commission Backs 10-Year Tax Credit to Shield Indie Hardware Stores From Prop M Hike

An ordinance creating a gross receipts tax credit for small hardware retailers with under $50M in receipts was unanimously approved to offset unintended Prop M tax increases.

Why it matters: Small hardware stores saw their gross receipts taxes double after Prop M passed, with one iconic store—Papenhausen Hardware—closing after 88 years; this 10-year credit targets the most vulnerable retailers.

Commission Welcomes Five Iconic Small Businesses to Legacy Registry

The commission unanimously approved legacy business status for Ambrosia Bakery, Standard Five and Dime, Globus Books, Casa Guadalupe Supermarket, and SF Judo Institute.

Why it matters: Legacy status unlocks rent stabilization grants and city recognition that help long-standing neighborhood businesses negotiate longer leases and survive in an increasingly expensive city.

Commissioner Decries Stark Infrastructure Gap Between Mission and Valencia Corridors

Commissioner Cornet highlighted severe disparities in cleanliness, safety, and infrastructure investment between the Mission corridor and neighboring Valencia Street, both in the same district.

Why it matters: Merchants on 24th Street Mission face crumbling sidewalks, inconsistent policing, and no beautification investments while Valencia — blocks away in the same supervisorial district — receives significantly more support, raising equity concerns.

Commissioner Warns Corner Store Zoning Controls Effectively Ban Immigrant Business Sector

Commissioner Zouzounis raised alarm that interim zoning controls requiring conditional use for new corner stores in Districts 5 and 6 amount to a de facto ban on a predominantly immigrant-owned sector, compounded by federal SNAP restrictions.

Why it matters: Corner stores are primary SNAP access points in low-income neighborhoods; the combined zoning moratorium and federal licensing restrictions could devastate food access in equity communities while blocking business entry for immigrant entrepreneurs.

OEWD's $10 Million Budget Cut Threatens Small Business Grant Programs

Director Tang reported that OEWD must absorb $10 million in cuts, eliminating two Office of Small Business positions and putting programs like First Year Free and vandalism relief grants at risk.

Why it matters: Small business grant programs that helped corridor businesses recover from COVID may shrink significantly, while downtown activation funding has already shifted entirely to private philanthropy.