From Juneteenth to Pride, June is a busy and beautiful month in San Francisco, with many chances to shop, dine, and support small businesses! Visit sf.gov/ShopDineSF for more.
Announcements & Highlights
Small Business Permitting Improvements Legislation
Our office collaborated with Mayor London Breed and Supervisors Dorsey, Engardio, and Melgar to introduce legislation to facilitate easier permitting for small businesses, encourage economic recovery and growth, and fill commercial vacancies in San Francisco. Through over 100 changes to the Planning Code, the legislation will serve to ease restrictions, such as: allowing more business uses on the ground floor to help fill commercial vacancies; lifting restrictions on bars and restaurants in certain neighborhoods; easing the legalization process for existing outdoor patios; removing certain public notice requirements; and enabling priority permit processing for nighttime entertainment, bars, and restaurants. We will continue to share updates as the legislation moves forward.
For sale: Ocean Beach Café
Located at 734 La Playa St, Ocean Beach Café is a 1,000 square feet turn-key café with a 40ft parklet and sidewalk seating. There is no hood but one could be installed. The café is currently operating as a Non-Alcoholic Bar & Bottle shop. It is close to the beach and the go-to place for breakfast and lunch, with potential for dinner hours. The current owner is willing to offer direct support for tips and tricks of business and area for two weeks after ownership transfer.
Contact Joshua James at aloha@oceanbeachcafe.com or 415-906-4659
COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Grant
Applications opened on June 1
The California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Grant will award funds to eligible small businesses and nonprofits that had 26 to 49 employees between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022 and have incurred costs for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave.
Commercial ReUse Program for Restaurants
This grant program managed by SF Environment supports restaurants to transition away from single-use disposable foodware items to reusables for dine-in service, including cups, plates, and utensils. Restaurants can receive free technical and a $500 incentive to help buy reusable foodware and utensils to replace single-use disposable items.
Learn more and sign up for a consultation
Report Commercial Vacancies
There are now several ways for the public to report a commercial vacancy. This site also includes a form to report blight on a vacant commercial building through 311.
Click here to report a commercial vacancy in San Francisco
Civic Joy Fund
The Civic Joy Fund is a new initiative to assist in the City’s economic recovery. They are teaming up with artists, musicians, small businesses, volunteers and community leaders to bring more art, music, color, energy and enthusiasm to city streets.
Learn more about how to get involved
Get help with hiring
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development’s Employer Services team is your workforce concierge and can assist your business with promoting jobs, finding local candidates, accessing hiring events, and introductions to workforce community partners.
Contact Employer Services at employer.services@sfgov.org and register your business on the City’s job matching resource tool, WorkforceLinkSF.org.
These services are available for bilingual and monolingual employers and employees.
Fleurs de Villes
Coming up, the U.S. premiere of Fleurs de Villes PRIDE – a fresh floral celebration of joy and inclusivity at The San Francisco Mint, created by local florists. In partnership with San Francisco Pride, Fleurs de Villes PRIDE will showcase a series of fresh floral mannequins inspired by San Francisco’s LGBTQIA+ icons and trailblazers, including drag legend Heklina, visionary activist Harvey Milk and “Queen of Disco” Sylvester to name but a few.
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at Moby Dick
A casual “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity.
Established in 1977, Moby Dick is one of the oldest gay bars in the Castro and an integral part of LGBTQ+ community history. Moby Dick is a place to meet up with old friends and meet new ones. This is a special Heritage Happy Hour in celebration of Pride Month.
Webinars & Events
June 8
Buying Your Business – How are You Going to Pay for it?
This session covers the various sources of financing, what makes a deal bankable, working capital, and putting your best foot forward with the bank or investors. Hosted by the Northern California Small Business Development Center.
June 12
Digital Marketing Office Hours
Join a 90 minute Q&A session with a marketing professional, Christina Hunt. Ask questions about social media and other online marketing strategies. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
June 19
Succession & Business Planning
Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, this webinar is to help small business owners think about their exit plan. It will consider short term absences or if you need to be absent from your business for an extended period of time.
June 22
SOMA Small Business Networking Event
Connect with individuals in your community and hear from a panel of consultants. Gain practical tips and knowledge to enhance your business and networking opportunities.
June 22
Strategic Partnerships via Social Media
This webinar is by the San Francisco Small Business Development Center and is for businesses to learn practical tips and techniques on getting started with strategic partnerships via social media for your business.
June 26
Small Business Commission meeting
The meeting will include a review of Legacy Business Registry Applications and additional items to be announced. Meeting details will be available on the Commission website closer to the meeting date.
JUNE 22 & JULY 11
Share your feedback on the Expanding Housing Choice: Zoning Program
At the event hosted by SF Planning, you will learn about existing zoning and land use rules and what changes could be made to better meet San Francisco’s housing needs, increase affordability for low- and middle-income households, and help advance racial and social equity. You can also learn how new housing impacts commercial corridors and the small business economy.
Register here for June 22; Register here for July 11
Learn more about the “Housing for All” plan
Coming up
Make Music Day
Join in on a worldwide celebration of music by inviting music into your business.
Register at the Make Music SF matchmaking site.
Remember: In order to host entertainment at your business establishment, you must have a permit from the SF Entertainment Commission. Businesses that have an existing JAM Permit (outdoors only), Limited Live Performance Permit, or a Place of Entertainment Permit do not need to apply for a new permit unless they want to change their location, entertainment hours, or sound limit. Contact the San Francisco Entertainment Commission at entertainment.commission@sfgov.org if you have any questions.
For outdoor entertainment, apply for a One Time Outdoor Event Permit.
For indoor entertainment, apply for a One Time Indoor Event Permit.