Pop-up Activations Announced for Vacant to Vibrant Program Downtown!

The 17 pop-ups will fill 9 vacant storefront spaces in Downtown San Francisco beginning in September. 

Mayor London Breed joined the Office of Economic Workforce and Development (OEWD) Executive Director Sarah Dennis-Phillips and SF New Deal Executive Director, Simon Bertrang to announce the first cohort of awardees for the Vacant to Vibrant pop-up program.

“Through financial support, interagency coordination, involved building owners and on-the- ground nonprofit partnership support, we were able to help transition small businesses and activators into physical storefronts within months,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “We are thrilled to have partnered with SF New Deal on this visionary program that activates our streets while building small business momentum.”

Since March 2020, SF New Deal has disbursed over $36 million in grants and supplemental revenue to more than 690 small businesses across San Francisco, in addition to its recent work with OEWD in designing and operating Vacant to Vibrant. SF New Deal is bringing in additional support from private funders including Presenting Sponsor, Wells Fargo Bank.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and we are committed to help them succeed. We are excited to support this innovative initiative to help increase exposure for entrepreneurs and re-energize Downtown San Francisco through compelling activations,” said Christina Pels-Martinez, Wells Fargo Region Executive.

Applications opened for pop-up proposals for Vacant to Vibrant earlier this year in April. Pop-up activations were selected from a pool of over 850 submissions and were narrowed down through a comprehensive review process by an advisory committee made up of local business owners, artists, community-based organizations, and property owners. Finalists were presented to participating property owners, who made the final selections.

The first cohort of Vacant to Vibrant pop-ups that will launch next month includes 17 local activators who are creating unique experiences in nine properties Downtown. Each activation will span three months with the potential for extension and includes local businesses, nonprofit organizations, independent artists, designers, makers, and other merchants. This is the first cohort of three; the other two will be announced and open their doors in 2024.

“Pop-ups are an opportunity to try something new, to think creatively, and to support the small businesses, cultural groups and artists that define the culture and identity of San Francisco,” said Simon Bertrang, Executive Director of SF New Deal. “We have assembled an inspiring group for this first cohort of Vacant to Vibrant, and we look forward to sharing a window into the inclusive, diverse and thriving neighborhood that is the future of Downtown San Francisco.”

For the first cohort, SF New Deal and OEWD have provided permit navigation to accelerate openings for the pop-up tenants, and are working to support each program participant with technical assistance and grant funding, up to $8,000.

The first cohort consists of nine primary activators and eight supplementary pop-up activators who will also be present in these storefronts. The nine property placements are centered around San Francisco’s Financial District and the cohort includes the following small businesses, nonprofit organizations, artists, and makers:

• Bee Betwee (artist)
  Hosted by The Swig Company at 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 100

• BRUJAS (skate collective /streetwear apparel brand)
  Hosted by The Gateway at 201 Jackson Street

• Creativity Explored (art nonprofit)
  Hosted by The Swig Company at 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 100

• Devil's Teeth Bakery (bakery)
  Hosted by BXP at One Embarcadero Center, Suite R1113

• Holy Stitch! (apparel education)
  Hosted by Pembroke at 100 California Street, Suite 140

• GCS Agency (multi-media agency)
  Hosted by The Gateway at 201 Jackson Street

• KALW-FM 91.7 FM (radio station)
  Hosted by The Swig Company at 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 100

• The Mellow (performance venue / plant store)
  Hosted by Lincoln Properties at 332 Pine Street

• Nature’s Keeper (outdoor apparel brand)
  Hosted by Pembroke at 100 California Street, Suite 140

• Risa Iwasaki Culbertson (artist)
  Hosted by The Gateway at 151 Jackson Street

• Rosalind Bakery (bakery)
  Hosted by BXP at Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 4054

• Sucka Flea (retail shop)
  Hosted by Lincoln Properties at 332 Pine Street

• Teranga (restaurant)
  Hosted by BXP at Four Embarcadero, Suite R4104

• Victoria Heilweil & Phil Spitler (artists)
  Hosted by Lincoln Properties at 332 Pine Street

• Whack Donuts (bakery)
  Hosted by BXP at Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 4507

• Yonder (retail shop)
  Hosted by The Gateway at 151 Jackson Street

• York Street Café (restaurant)
  Hosted by BXP at Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 4507

“As a local business owner, I would like to share my excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to expand my Holy Stitch Factory Fellowship program while reaching more youth across San Francisco,” said Holy Stitch! Factory Fellowship owner Julian Prince Dash. “This collaboration with Vacant to Vibrant is a true testament to the resilient and innovative spirit of San Francisco.”

To learn more visit VibrantSF.org or call (415) 480-1185. Follow along on Instagram at @VacantToVibrant.