Small Business Commission

Commissioners Push Commercial Condos, Ready Ground-Floor Retail

Vice President Ortiz-Cartagena said he is close to piloting commercial condominiums in mixed-use buildings so small businesses can own their space.

Why it matters: Long-vacant cold-shell storefronts in new housing and lack of ownership options are persistent barriers; a working template could be replicated citywide if HOA and lending hurdles are solved.

Home-Kitchen Restaurants, Worker Buyout Rights Head to Commission

OSB Director flagged four newly introduced ordinances, including home restaurant permits and employee first-refusal rights, and announced neighborhood office hours.

Why it matters: Two bills would expand OSB's role, including enforcing commercial tenant organizing, and a worker-cooperative buyout right would change how small businesses are sold.

OSB Leasing Team Logs 78 Deals as Retail Vacancy Hits 5.8%

Office of Small Business reported 78 lease signings last fiscal year, up 47%, amid 5.8% citywide retail vacancy and 20% in Union Square.

Why it matters: Staff warned of one-way renewal options, near-universal personal guarantees and a shortage of legal aid, while commissioners called a bad lease potentially generationally ruinous for families.

Planners Pitch Cultural Heritage Survey as Tool for Small Businesses

Planning staff briefed commissioners on SF Histories, SF Survey and SF Places and asked for help reaching merchants for community stories.

Why it matters: Historic-resource findings shape what storefront changes businesses can make, but also unlock the more flexible California Historical Building Code; staff said outreach to merchants has drawn little response.

SF Adds Eight Longtime Businesses to Legacy Registry, 6-0

Commission unanimously approved eight Legacy Business Registry applications, including a 1906 pharmacy, a 1960 Sunset Mexican restaurant and a Japantown bonsai shop.

Why it matters: Registry status honors family- and immigrant-run neighborhood anchors; commissioners framed the businesses as keepers of cultural heritage and pathways for families to build roots in the city.

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.