A quintessential Richmond District business just reached an important milestone. This past summer, JANE Consignment, located at Clement Street and 24th Avenue, celebrated 20 years of serving the community.
Fabrix is a hidden gem, a beloved Fabric store, located on bustling Clement Street in the Inner Richmond district of San Francisco. This treasured business is now up for sale.
“A ‘love street’ can be anywhere,” explained Graciela Ronconi, a 30-year-plus resident of the Richmond District and founder of the neighborhood newcomer, Love Street Vintage.
During this pandemic, thought I’d share some positivity happening in the Richmond District!
After the first time the City shut down last year in March in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, it became apparent that restaurants, bars and clubs would not be opening up again anytime soon. People were losing jobs as small businesses struggled.
Despite vacant storefronts lining commercial corridors everywhere, a space that was empty since well before the pandemic is now the site of a new Andronico’s market in the Outer Richmond District at Clement Street and 32nd Avenue.
The Beauty Network website makes it possible to reach customers all over the world without those customers leaving their homes.
Ocean Beach Cafe is a new restaurant on La Playa Street between Balboa and Cabrillo, led by former bartender Joshua James. After 20 years in the restaurant industry, he has finally opening his own place. But this time around, none of the drinks have alcohol.
A Whole Foods store’s move into the City Center at Masonic Avenue and Geary Boulevard is now on hold after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors reversed a decision by the SF Planning Department to exempt the project from an environmental review.
Small businesses are the heart of the Richmond District.
While being open or closed is a moving target for restaurants, many of outdoor dining spaces had become an attraction to residents and visitors who enjoy going out to eat and crave a sense of community.
To slow the spread of small business failures during the pandemic, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has expanded and extended a moratorium on evicting commercial tenants who cannot pay rent because of COVID-19.
Nothing about 2020 has been typical, but brothers Saadi and Adar Halil, the co-owners and founders of Hometown Creamery, have stayed optimistic. They have also managed to stay open during the most challenging circumstances for small businesses in memory.
According to the SFMTA website, “Shared Spaces allows merchants to use sidewalks, full or partial streets, and other nearby public spaces like parks, parking lots and plazas for restaurant pick-up and other neighborhood retail activities.”
The Hockey Haven has operated continuously for more than 70 years, up until the past few months of shelter in place. They are one of the many small businesses in the Richmond District that have been impacted by the pandemic.
