San Francisco, CA — San Francisco and community organizations such as the Latino Task Force, Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, Clecha and the Mission Loteria Campaign and the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) are kicking off the holidays with the Las Posadas Holiday Shopping campaign. This initiative is an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods and support our small businesses and vendors by shopping local.
Las Posadas Holiday Shopping comes as two new market places are open to support Mission Street vendors. Last week, a temporary moratorium on street vending began along Mission Street between 14th and Cesar Chavez streets to deliver safe and clean streets for small business owners, permitted vendors, Mission residents, and visitors along one of the City’s busiest transit corridors. The moratorium is in response to unprecedented safety concerns due to unauthorized vending and illegal activities.
“We are launching this campaign to continue to support the long-term sustainability of our permitted vendors in the Mission,” said Mayor Breed. “As we work on creating economic pathways to support the neighborhood’s small business owners, we can’t lose sight that we need to deliver safe and clean streets so the whole neighborhood can thrive.”
"Not only are we making our streets safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors, we are thrilled to launch this holiday campaign to lift up our local businesses and permitted street vendors,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who represents the Mission District.
With more than 400 businesses, shops, and services, there’s no place quite like the Mission. This vibrant neighborhood is world renowned for its unique stores, incredible food, cultural events, art, history, nightlife, and entertainment. As the hub of the City’s Latino community, the Mission’s rich history and culture are reflected everywhere, from the colorful murals and iconic alleyways to the many family- and immigrant-owned shops and vendor enterprises.
Throughout the holiday season and beyond, the City is collaborating with community organizations to celebrate and showcase the local businesses and permitted street vendors that make this neighborhood special. Join the free, family-friendly community events that will be highlighting the Mission’s two new marketplaces, El Tiangue and La Placita.
These efforts are funded in part by this year’s Mayor budget allocation for Mission Street towards economic recovery efforts, including ensuring that streets are clean, safe, and inviting for businesses, employees, residents, and visitors.
Today, El Tiangue and La Placita will be added to Mission’s shop local campaign. When you shop at El Tiangue, La Placita and other participating locations, you will get a limited-edition game piece designed by local artists and can enter the upcoming raffle on December 9 at Mission Loteria’s Noche Festiva at Plaza Adelante. This event will feature live mariachi performances and $500 in cash and prizes! Attend this event to enter to win and participate in Mission Lotería to support local businesses in the Mission.
“Our partnership with the community is creating economic opportunities and sustainable pathways for entrepreneurs and a thriving and safe neighborhood for all,” said Diana Ponce De Leon, Director of Community Economic Development with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. "We encourage everyone to come to the Mission and do your holiday shopping while enjoying the many cultural events and activities the community has to offer.”
Beyond this weekend, additional events are planned to encourage people to shop and eat in the Mission. A list of these activities and spotlights on vendors and products can be found by visiting: sf.gov/shop-mission. This holiday season – and beyond – discover one of San Francisco’s most captivating neighborhoods. Check out the offerings at Shop the Mission!
Holiday Events Schedule
Mission Lotería Noche Festiva
Saturday, December 9, 2023
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Plaza Adelante: 2301 Mission Street
Activities: Mission Lotería game night, live mariachi performances, raffle prizes, Shop at El Tiangue, La Placita and other participating locations to get your stickers and enter the raffle on Saturday, Dec. 9, prizes include cash.
- missionstreetsf.com/loteria
- Hosted by Mission Economic Development Agency
Holiday Shopping at El Tiangue
Sunday, December 10, 2023
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
El Tiangue Marketplace: 2137 Mission Street (near 18th Street)
Activities: Santa Clause is coming to the Mission! Join us for a Christmas tree lighting, take pics at the winter photo booth, decorate cookies, enjoy light snacks and refreshments, and go on a shopping spree!
- Hosted by Clecha and Galeria de La Raza
Viernes de Plaza: Abuelita Cook-Off Holiday Cooking Competition
Friday, December 15, 2023
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
La Placita 24th Street and Capp Street
Activities: The Abuelita Cook-Off will be a fun-filled event showcasing the culture and creativity of the community! 10 contestants will enter their favorite traditional holiday dish to compete for cash prizes of up to $1,000.00! La Placita vendors will also be on hand to sell holiday products and gifts.
- Hosted by Calle 24 Latino Cultural District
Latino Task Force Vendor Holiday Pop up
Thursday, December 21
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Mission Language and Vocational School, 701 Alabama
Activities: Food, refreshments, shopping, music, holiday shopping
- Hosted by Latino Task Force
Dia De Los Reyes (3 Kings Day) Celebration and Shopping @ El Tiangue & La Placita
Saturday, January 6
12 Noon – 4:00 PM
El Tiangue 2137 Mission and La Placita 24th Street and Capp Street
Activities: Food, refreshments, giveaways, shopping, children's activities
- Hosted by Clecha and Calle 24 Latino Cultural District
Mission Lotería at El Tiangue
Saturday, January 13 and Saturday, January 20
12 Noon – 4:00 PM
El Tiangue 2137 Mission Street
Activities: Mission Lotería Pop-up! We will have a table inside El Tiangue to share materials and supplies for people to play Mission Lotería while shopping at vendors inside the plaza. Winners will receive gift cards, merchandise, and other prizes. There will also be food, refreshments, live entertainment, giveaways, and the popular Lotería Game.
- missionstreetsf.com/loteria
Hosted by Mission Lotería Campaign/MEDA and Clecha
Mission Lotería at La Placita
Saturday, February 17th and Saturday, February 24th
Noon – 4:00 PM
La Placita 24th and Capp Street
Activities: Mission Lotería Pop-up! We will have a table inside La Placita to share materials and supplies for people to play Mission Lotería by shopping vendors inside the plaza. Winners will receive gift cards, merchandise and other prizes.
- missionstreetsf.com/loteria
Hosted by Mission Loteria Campaign/MEDA and Calle 24 Latino Cultural District
El Tiangue and La Placita – Supporting Mission Street Vendors
While street vendor permits are not currently being issued for Mission Street due to the moratorium, vendors have the option of applying along other streets in the Mission District through San Francisco Public Works at sf.gov/apply-street-vending-permit.
In addition to the option of vending outdoors on alternative streets, the City, in partnership with community organizations, stood up two vending alternatives for vendors along the Mission Street corridor. The two temporary marketplaces are located in the heart of the Mission and Calle 24 Cultural District.
The marketplaces feature vendors who sell a variety of products, including handcrafted items and cultural goods from Latin America.
El Tiangue Marketplace
2137 Mission Street (near 18th Street)
Monday thru Sunday from10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
La Placita
24th Street (Between Capp and Lilac Streets)
Tuesday thru Saturday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Mission Street Vendor Resources
The City is committed to creating economic pathways for our street vendors and identifying resources and opportunities that support their long-term sustainability. On December 15, the city and community organizations are hosting a resource fair at El Tiangue for Mission Street vendors. The resource fair will provide information on a wide range of wraparound support services, including, but not limited to:
- Business consultation and entrepreneurship training
- Workforce training and placement
- Workshops on immigration, health and other essential topics
- Marketing support
Mission Street Safety Efforts
The City began targeted enforcement of the temporary street vending moratorium on November 27 along Mission Street, between 14th and Cesar Chavez streets, due to the unsafe conditions in the area. San Francisco Public Works, as the lead agency, is working closely with City partners, including the San Francisco Police Department and the Department of Emergency Management, as well as community organizations. Their collective goal is to keep the Mission corridor safe and accessible.
Public Works dispatches three teams of two inspectors each plus the accompanying police officers. One team focuses on the 24th Street BART Plaza; one team focuses on the 16th Street BART Plaza; the third team roves the Mission corridor and fills in when the plaza teams are on staggered breaks. The role of police officers is to keep the Public Works employees safe and ensure they can discharge their assigned duty to enforce the moratorium.
Departments are continuously reassessing and deploying resources as needed based on the changing conditions on the ground.