• KPMG is set to move out of its $400 million namesake building as the city’s ‘doom loop’ continues to batter its downtown region
• It comes as shoe store Alto also prepares to exit San Francisco Centre, the city’s biggest mall, next week
• Nearly 100 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the pandemic, a decline of more than 50 percent, according to a recent report 

Accounting firm KPMG is set to move out of its $400 million namesake building, another high-profile exit from San Francisco’s beleaguered downtown.

The consulting and accounting giant first leased space in the 25-story office tower when the building opened in 2002.  Its name hangs above the entry to the skyscraper where the company currently occupies more than 100,000 square feet. 

It comes as shoe store Alto prepares to exit San Francisco Centre, the city’s biggest mall, next week.

Businesses and residents have fled downtown San Francisco since the pandemic with groups blaming crime, homelessness and work-from-home keeping people from downtown. 

Nearly 100 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the pandemic, a decline of more than 50 percent, according to a recent report. 

KPMG is set to move out of its $400 million namesake building after two decades in downtown San Francisco Nordstrom have recently moved out of the city’s downtown contributing to a loss of footfall

KMPG, a large accounting and financial firm, originally took 90,000 square feet at 55 Second St. in a 10-year contract, marking the second-largest office deal of 2003.

It has since grown its footprint to span nearly one-third of the 380,000-square-foot building, leading to it being widely known as ‘The KPMG Building’.

The company is now considering ending its two-decade-long relationship with the building, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. It’s the latest tenant looking to exit the downtown area. 

Now, another business is set to leave the area’s largest shopping center as Aldo moves its store from the San Francisco Centre. The mall lost Adidas last Saturday, as well as other recent losses including Hollister, Lego and J. Crew. 

The mall lost $910 million between 2016 and 2023, with half the rental space now empty, according to an appraisal published last month.

Its owners lost control of the 5-million-square-foot retail and office complex to lenders last year. 

The high-profile closures and exits suggest San Francisco’s ‘doom loop’ is far from over. A doom loop is where a city loses its tax base and can’t afford improvements needed to fix the situation to bring new businesses and residents back to an area. 

The city’s downtown has suffered from the proliferation of homeless encampments, open-air drugs markets and rampant theft. 

Hordes of brand names, including the likes of Whole Food and Nordstrom, that have recently moved out contributing to a loss of footfall that then drives out other businesses.

The city has also struggled for years with rampant fentanyl use and fatal overdoses. 

Nearly 100 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the COVID pandemic, a decline of more than 50 percent, according to a recent report The city’s downtown has suffered from the proliferation of homeless encampments, open-air drugs markets and rampant theft The city has also struggled for years with rampant fentanyl use and fatal overdoses

In the first five months of 2023, preliminary reports show there were 346 overdose deaths in the city – an increase of more than 40 percent from the same period in 2022.

Economists have warned the city is spiraling into an ‘urban doom loop’ – a vicious circle of interconnected trends and forces that send cities into economic and social ruin.

High theft has proved a problem in the area recently, with a Walgreens in the city center resolving to chaining their freezers to stop shoplifters.

Retail stalwart Old Navy announced they would be shuttering their flagship store in the area last month.

Anthropologie and Office Depot have also made the same decisions.

These stores joined the growing list of stores that have abandoned the coastal city, including H&M, Marshall’s, Gap and Banana Republic.

A disturbing recent report showed 95 retailers in downtown San Francisco have closed since the start of the COVID pandemic, a decline of more than 50 percent.

Out of 203 retailers open in 2019 in the city’s Union Square area, just 107 are still operating, a drop of 47 percent in just a few pandemic-ravaged years.

The post KPMG transferring out of $400million ‘KMPG constructing’ in downtown San Francisco with close by besieged mall loses one other tenant as doom loop continues to see residents and companies flee liberal-led metropolis appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO — Although APEC officially ended Friday, many San Francisco businesses in the area said they didn’t see the recovery they were hoping for this weekend.

Crews were busy moving and clearing the heavy-duty security fences that defined the landscape near the Moscone Center for more than a week. 

Several streets in the area were still closed to traffic Sunday evening, with the city confirming the fencing was removed by 8 p.m. 

“People still just wanted to avoid the neighborhood, just because of all — There were so many protests, and it was so hard to get around in the city,” said bar manager at The Lark Bar Scotty Liberatore. “In general, people just kind of blocked it out of their minds and said ‘Hey, we’ll come back next week.'”

ALSO READ: San Francisco bars and restaurants see losses upwards of $150,000 due to APEC

Liberatore said he saw his regular customers return on Sunday, but not quite as many as he’d normally see on this day at the Market Street bar. 

“It wasn’t the large groups we thought they were going to be,” he said. “We had nothing to really base it off, and we had no idea what to expect; we were prepared for anything.”

He said the bar had extra workers on-call, but as it turned out they weren’t needed, and very few APEC attendees wandered in.

“It was a whole lot of fuss for no real reason, I don’t know why they had these cages and things around, but it didn’t affect me at all,” said Dan Galvin, a San Francisco resident, who considered his experience the exception during APEC. 

That’s because Galvin said he works next door at Cask, an artisanal liquor store. Cask and The Lark Bar are both owned by Future Bars. He lives close enough to walk to work.

Around the corner on Yerba Buena Lane, eateries said they saw a steep drop in business and the financial losses were significant. Orange security barricades were still present on the plaza late Sunday.

“Supposed to be like yesterday everything opened,” said Karim, an area general manager, who didn’t want to identify his restaurant. “Even us this morning, I have some vendors I tell them everything should be open. But they came here, they cannot even deliver for us.”

Karim said even his regulars are still staying away.

“Even today, Sunday, still it’s very slow. The restaurant is empty, we’re just hoping it’s going to be better,” he said. 

But he said Thanksgiving week is typically slow for restaurants in the area, so it’s unlikely that will help make up for the losses. 

“We just expected it to be like one of these normal conferences we have and it was clearly a different animal,” added Liberatore. 

KPIX 5 reached out to the city regarding the concerns of impacted small businesses and any potential compensation for operating costs, but have not yet heard back. 

More from CBS News

Betty Yu

Betty Yu joined KPIX 5 in November 2013 as a general assignment reporter. She spent two years at WTVJ, the NBC-owned station in Miami, as a reporter before moving to San Francisco.

The post San Francisco companies see sluggish return to regular after APEC appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO – With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in San Francisco this year, the city is under heavy security.

San Francisco police officers posted on street corners, California Highway Patrol officers roaming the roads, and tall fences ringing Moscone Center.

While some San Francisco businesses have embraced the APEC summit with open arms, others have not.

“Overall, we’re pro-APEC. We are very pleased that it’s happening this week,” said Renato Geslani, manager of the Cole Hardware at 4th and Jessie streets, just a stone’s throw away from the summit.

The store is located inside a security perimeter, and Geslani hopes that won’t discourage customers.

“It’s hard to determine if somebody, like a regular customer of ours, will go through the hassle of going through the security checkpoint just to get that one light bulb,” Geslani said.

Dexter Lee owns Massage Envy around the corner. He says despite the fences going up over the weekend, business at the spa has doing well.

“Optimistic, but we’ll see,” Lee said.

Although he’s appreciative of the APEC attendees who’ve visited, Lee said he would still prefer locals.

SEE ALSO: Lasers to light up San Francisco during APEC

“Well, our model is based on memberships, so visitors won’t” necessarily sign up, he said.

Tony Sufi, a supervisor at Denny’s, expressed confidence that his business will not be significantly affected.

“We’re not worried, because of online orders, everything from DoorDash to Uber, so a lot of things that come,” Sufi said.

There’s also one major advantage: due to the fence, everybody will be vetted, he said.

“It’s really good, because everybody’s checked, here and over there, so there is a lot of security,” he said.

Jose Garcia, general manager of Lemonade restaurant near the Metreon, stated, “Definitely we get less customers. I’m not excited because it’s a hassle for everyone.”

He added, “Especially going through security to come to work, and not getting enough orders to fulfill because of these fences.”

Garcia and others say, for now, it’s a wait-and-see situation.

“I think it’s the first year, and people are getting scared. But they don’t know. They don’t know what to expect, like everything changes every day,” Garcia said.

Geslani said, “I’m kind of hoping the engineers will still come in and still need to service their guests, but we don’t know.”

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan.

The post Blended response from San Francisco companies on influence of APEC summit appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO — With the APEC Summit over, San Francisco’s cleaned-up image has started to fade, one business owner said.

“The basic principle of life is to keep the body moving — your arms and your legs,” said Tenderloin restaurant owner Tony Pankaew.

Owning a business just off of U.N. Plaza does keep Tony Pankaew moving.

“I just had to put the glue on,” he said of one broken window. “I can’t keep claiming the insurance.”

As for the recent push to calm and clean the plaza, he said it worked.

“Yeah, they cleaned up the people, they cleaned up the street to make the city look good, and look impressive for the foreigners, for the politicians,”  Pankaew said.

ALSO READ: San Francisco businesses see slow return to normal after APEC

A few days later, he said many of those problems have started to return.

“And now, now they’ll start coming back,” he added. “Slowly, but surely, in a couple weeks, they’ll be back to where they were before.”

“They made a big push for it during Covid, to get people housed,” said Jeff, who has been living on the streets, off and on. “A lot of people were into it. And then they started doing it again, where they’re really trying to get people into SROs.”

Jeff, who has been accepting help from the city, puts the recent changes in a broader context, and he thinks months of work is starting to show some results.

“It looks like they have made somewhat of a dent in it,” he said. “I think. If you’ve been out here you notice, it’s gotten a lot better with that kind of thing.”

Pankaew is hopeful that some of the changes stick and bring more customers. Giving up, he said, is not an option.

“I have to keep going,” he said. “With the hope that it’s going to turn around.”

So, some changes, like the revamped plaza, will stay. Others, like that huge law-enforcement presence, that is all winding down.

The big question now is what will carry over.

More from CBS News

Wilson Walker

Wilson Walker joined KPIX 5 in July 2007. After 10 years producing newscasts, Wilson became a Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) in 2012, meaning he shoots, writes and edits all of his own stories.

The post San Francisco companies ready to see what modifications stay after APEC Summit clean-up appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

According to the latest U.S. Census data recorded in 2002, the state of Virginia had the ninth-largest minority-owned business population. Of all minority-owned businesses statewide, more than 40,000 were black-owned and accounted for roughly $3.7 billion in sales and receipts. The findings in 2002 represented an increase of approximately $300 million in revenue and more than 7,000 black-owned businesses–a growth that the Virginia Commission on Minority Business Enterprise only expects to continue.

The Daily Press has consulted a number of sources, including the business directories of MyBlack Business Directory, Black Pages, USA, and the Greater Hampton Roads Black Chamber of Commerce to compile a list of black-owned businesses in the Hampton Roads area. This directory is only a sampling and in no way accounts for all black-owned businesses in the area. If you have a business to add to this list, please send an e-mail with the business name, phone number, address and Web site to Summer Gladden. Businesses are listed in alphabetical order.

AAA Plumbing Company

757-244-7664

5846-B Jefferson Ave

Newport News, Va. 23605

A-1 Environmental Services

757-498-1169

517 Central Dr.

Virginia Beach, Va. 23454

A. Bruce Williams and Associates

A marketing firm

President/CEO: Ausborn Bruce Williams

757-456-0222

700 Monticello Avenue, Suite 310

Norfolk, Va.

http://www.abrucewilliams.com/Home.html

Ace Services

757-543-3870

2814 Halsey St

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

Aldo’s Restaurant

757-226-7477

4316 Virginia Beach Blvd

Virginia Beach, Va. 23454

All Floors II

757-857-9607

4550 E. Princess Ann Road

Norfolk, Va. 23502

Almah Builders Inc.

757-558-0277

801 Butler St. Suite 64

Chesapeake, Va. 23323

Ambiance Hair Salon

757-498-1394

3972 Holland Road Ste. 22

Virginia Beach, Va.

American Mansions

757-543-7429

804 Industrial Ave., Suite B

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

A-Plus Electrical Services

757-867-6037

910 Carys Chapel Rd.

Yorktown, Va. 23693

AXA Advisors, LLC

A supervisory branch of AXA Advisors which provides financial products and services to the South Hampton Rds. & Peninsula, area

Harold L. Gilbert, CLU, LUTCF, RHU

757-436-4463

1148 Fairway Drive

South Hampton Rds. & Peninsula

http://www.haroldgilbert.myaxa-advisors.com/index.cfm

B & B Renovation & Chimney Sweep

757-463-2322

106 Thalia Trace Drive

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

B & S Heating & Air Conditioning

757-627-2388

218 E 24th St

Norfolk, Va. 23504

Backyard Bar-B-Que

757-827-7427

http://www.backyardbbq-ufi.com/

Bay Electric Co.

757-595-2300

104 Production Drive

Yorktown, Va. 23693

Bay Office Machine & Office Products

757-461-0799

5329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd

Norfolk, Va. 23502

Bayside Harley Davdison

757-397-5550

2211 Frederick Boulevard

Portsmouth, Va. 23704

http://www.harleybay.com/custompage3.asp?pg=bayside

Big Red Concrete

501 Appomattox

Norfolk, Va. 234233

Black Pages, USA

Accounts Manager: Elijah Purkett

757-399-4153

355 Crawford Street, Suite 602

Portsmouth, Va. 23704

Blackpagesusa.com

BLC Construction Incorporated

757-487-5501

864 Oklahoma Dr. Unit C

Chesapeake, Va. 23323

BreakFree Bail Bonding

757- 947-8788

25 Decesare Drive,

Hampton, Va. 23666

Brinkley & Thornton Plumbing & Heating

757-340-0271

3419 Green Pine Ln

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

Capitol General Construction Co.

757-625-6026

2400 Llewellyn Ave

Norfolk, Va. 23517

Cars, Inc. of Virginia Beach

757-420-0600

889 S Military Hwy

Virginia Beach, Va. 23464

Chesapeake Bay Steel Inc.

757-622-2520

3468 Westminster Ave.

Norfolk, Virginia 23504

http://www.cbaysteel.com/content/

Churchland Printing and Graphics

757-484-4242

592 Churchland Blvd.

Portsmouth. Virginia

http://churchlandprinting.com/index.html

Claud’s Lawn Care

757-399-3800

1601 County Street

Portsmouth, Va.

Clean All

757-523-4736

1129 Evert Dr.

Virginia Beach, Va. 23464

C.O. Communications

757-593-1377

1534 Stillwood St.

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

Community Personal Care, Inc.

757-625-2220

1761 Church Street

Norfolk, Va. 23504

http://www.communitypersonalcare.net/

Consolidated Bank & Trust

757-722-2575

101. N. Armistead Avenue

P.O. Box 250

Hampton, Va. 23669

Couture Cakes by Nika

757-599-6452

Hilton Village

10373 Warwick Blvd

Newport News, Va.

http://www.couturecakesbynika.com/

Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.

757-539-7443

900 E. Washington Street

Suffolk, Va. 23434

http://www.crockerfuneralhome.com/

Crowders Custom Cabinets Inc.

757-380-0448

213 30th St

Newport News, Va. 23607

Curtex Construction Corp

757-622-3100

1818 Monticello Ave

Norfolk, Va. 23517

Curtiss Consulting

6444 Chartwell Drive

Virginia Beach, Va.

D and D Home Loans Corporation

President: Valeria Robinson

757-962-5677

4705 Columbus St Ste 303

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

www.danddhomeloans.com

Day Construction Corp S W

757-523-0322

820 Greenbrier Circle Suite 31

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

Dean Construction

757-853-5200

4665 S Cape Henry

Norfolk, Va. 23502

Donald L Blount and Associates

757-545-3700

870 Greenbrier Circle Suite 600

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

DLBA Naval Architecture

Dr. Draingood Plumbing

757-652-3894

3509 St. Clair Court

Chesapeake, Va. 23323

Dr. Kevin Jennings Family Dentistry

757-523-9002

5632 Holly Point Shopping Center, Suite 11

Chesapeake, Va. 23325

Drywall King

757-428-3504

605 Barberton Drive

Virginia Beach, Va. 23451

Eclipse Screens of Virginia

757-494-7472

804 Industrial Ave.

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

E L Hamm & Associates Inc.

757-497-5000

4801 Columbus St.

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

Engineering Design Support Services

757-723-1736

21-B East Queensway

Hampton, Va. 23669-4060

Excellent Commerical Cleaning

757-490-7699

341 Clev eland Place Suite 103

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

Faden Contracting Inc.

757-888-5453

619 Powhatan Parkway

Hampton, Va. 23661

Father & Sons Handyman Services

757-549-0968

800 Thorngate Court

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

First Choice Auto Repair & Engine Exchange

757- 461-3444

5622 B-East Virginia Beach Blvd.

Norfolk, Va.

First Floors, Inc.

757-498-6900

415 S. Lynnhaven Road, Suite 103

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

FULCO Development Group, Inc.

757-640-1700

500 E Main St

Norfolk, Va. 23510-2205

First Floors, Inc.

757-498-6900

415 S. Lynnhaven Road, Suite 103

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

Genesis Computer Repair and Sales

757-833-6262

5906 E. George Washington
Memorial Highway

Yorktown, Va. 23692

http://www.buygenesiscomputers.com/

Goldsboro Contracting Co., Inc.

757-873-0305

11840 Canon Blvd Ste 100

Newport News, Va. 23606

G & V General Contractors Inc.

757-625-5319

248 W 24th St.

Norfolk, Va. 23517

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

757-543-4940

1098 Cascade Blvd

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

General Service Contracting

757-853-5200

4665 South Cape Henry Avenue

Norfolk, Va. 23502

Goin’ Postal

757-826-1288

Hampton Woods Plaza

1188 Big Bethel Road

Hampton, Va.

Goode Construction

757-487-0002

3529 Business Center Drive

Chesapeake, Va. 23323

Hampton Roads Commercial Clean

757-625-8338

142 W York Street Suite 611

Norfolk, Va. 23510

Heritage Funding, Inc.

757.537.1999

142 W. York Suite 305

Norfolk, Va. 23510

http://www.heritagefundinginc.com/

Hi & Sons Inc., Contracting

757-928-0200

12 Saiters Creek Road

Hampton, Va. 23661

Housekeepers Unlimited

757-623-5236

638 May Ave. APT H

Norfolk, Va. 23504

Island Electric Services

757-567-1756

623 Dudley Avenue

Norfolk, Va. 23503

J&A Autosale

757-588-6201

7467 Tidewater Drive

Norfolk, Va. 23505

Jackie Thomas Real Estate

Property management services

Owner/Broker: Jackie Thomas

1-866-865-7275

184 Thalia Village Shoppes

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

www.jackiethomasrealestate.com

Jeff Waugh Auto Mall

Owner: Jeff Waugh

757-405-1713

2530 Airline Boulevard

Portsmouth, Va.

< a href=”www.jeffwaughautomall.com”> www.jeffwaughautomall.com

Jenkins Dental Group

757-523-9002

211 Providence Road, Suite 11

Chesapeake, Va. 23325

John Kool Lincoln Mercury, Inc.

757-393-0020

1313 High Street

Norfolk, Va. 23704

http://johnkoollm.dealerconnection.com/

Jones & Clark Precision Machine Co.

757-627-9215

1015 Ballentine Blvd.

Norfolk, Va. 23504

JW’s Alterations & Dressmaking Inc.

757-473-0488

345 South Witchduck Road

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

http://www.jwsalterationsanddressmaking.com/

KEBCO Construction Enterprises, Inc.

757-435-4305

1332 Cambridge Way

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

K-Kontractors

757- 622-6797

2725 Colchester Crest

Norfolk, Va.

http://www.k-kontractors.com/home

Klean Sweep Janitorial Services

757-543-1445

2525 Applewood Ln. Apt 1B

Chesapeake, Va. 23323

Lanier Dental Care

Angela Lanier, DDS

757-488-3392

5589 Portsmouth Blvd.

Portsmouth, Va. 23701

www.lanierdentalcare.com

The Law Office of Jennifer C. Lacey, P.C.

Specializing in corporate law, nonprofit law and family law.

Jennifer C. Lacey

757-343-7845

4876 Princess Anne Road

Suite 118-256

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

http://www.laceylegal.com/home.html

Lee’s Contracting Services

757-543-0217

3318 Bainbridge Blvd

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

Life:Electronic

757-465-1865

4013 Seaboard Ct. Ste. A-3

Hampton, Va.

http://www.lifeelectronic.com/

Lindsey Brother’s Inc.

757-497-4633

865 Newtown Road

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

Lindsey Law Group

Specializing in personal injury, criminal defense, medical malpractice, family law, bankruptcy, wills and estates, and business/corporation litigation.

Joseph C. Lindsey, Esq.

757-623-6522

757-459-0856 (After hours)

500 East Plume Street

Norfolk, Va. 23510

AND

1354 South Military Highway

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

Lucas Transportation, LLC

757-966-9672

1214 County St

Portsmouth, Va. 23704-3240

Maddox Technology Incorporated

757-627-5099

109 E Main St Ste 504

Norfolk, Va. 23510

Malone AR Plumbing

757-543-1031

403 W Baylor Court

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

Manleys Landscaping Inc.

757-543-6048

2611 Hemple St.

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

Mar Tech Mechanical Ltd

757-727-9140

102 N. Hope St.

Hampton, Va. 23663

757-727-9140

Meyers Drywall

757-342-7501

13 Center Street

Newport News, Va. 23606

Micor Sprinkler Systems Inc.

757-363-8620

1209 Baker Rd. Suite 507

Virginia Beach, Va. 23455

Mid Eastern Industries Inc.

757-397-7717

510 Elm Ave.

Portsmouth, Va. 23704

The Miles Agency

A niche marketing firm.

President and CEO: Delceno C. Miles

757-499-9627

P. O. Box 68228

Virginia Beach, Va. 23471

http://www.themilesagency.com/

Montagna Klein & Camden LLP

757-622-8100

425 Monticello Ave

Norfolk, Va. 23510

http://www.mkclawyers.com/

NCP Community Development Federal Credit Union

757-543-2400

530 South Main St

Norfolk, Va.

Norfolk Truck Company, Inc.

757-622-3246

736 Tidewater Drive

Norfolk, Va. 23504-3324

http://www.norfolktruckcenter.com/

Olde Town Exxon Ltd

757-397-8961

720 London St

Portsmouth, Va. 23704-2413

Oliver Jacobs Construction

757-485-1141

3912 Holland Blvd.

Chesapeake, Va. 23323

Peggy S. Scarborough, MBA CPA PLLC

757-479-5500

1616 Centerville Tpke

Virginia Beach, Va. 23464

Portable Cleaning Service

757-380-5888

4511 Jefferson Ave

Newport News, Va. 23607

Premier Mechanical Systems

757-671-3040

2121 Dove Ridge

Virginia Beach, Va. 23464

Presidential Automotive Group

757-490-2225

5020 Virginia Beach Blvd

Virginia Beach, Va. 23462

http://presidentialautos.com/

Randolph Real Estate Services Company

Principal Broker: Alonzo R. Bell, Jr.

757-272-0037

813 Diligence Drive, Suite 121-C

Newport News, Va. 23606

www.randolph-group.com

Reliable Builders, Inc.

757-623-2555

540 E. Bute St.

Norfolk, Va. 23510

R E Poole Metal Works Inc.

757-543-4173

707 Burrow Avenue

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

Riddick, Fiedler, Stern PC

757-627-2791

261 W. Bute Street

Norfolk, Va. 23510

http://www.rfsarchitects.com/

Ryder Services Inc.

757-873-1973

736 Middle Ground Blvd

Newport News, Va. 23606

Spencer Scott PC Architecture Planning & Urban Designers

757-397-6448

P O Box 669

Portsmouth, Va. 23705-0669

See’s Computer Services

757-724-4357

415 Beechdale Rd

Portsmouth, Va. 23701-4138

Sell & Reese Marketing Inc

757-857-1794

3610 Henrico St.

Norfolk, Va. 23513

Sharpe Construction Corporation

757-486-6927

3436 Green Pine Ln

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

Shepard Enterprise Inc.

757-877-9195

775 Industrial Park Dr.

Newport News, Va. 23608

Signs & Wonders

757-393-7446

1807 High Street

Portsmouth, Va.

http://www.signsandwondersllc.com/

Smith Bro’s Enterprises, Inc.

757-380-6919

1703 27th Street

Newport News, Va. 23607

Sonya Thomas-Webb, D.D.S. Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

757-540-0025

910 Great Bridge Blvd., Suite 106

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

Spine and Orthopedic Pain Center, P.C.

Winifred D. Bragg, M.D.

757-333-3360

6160 Kempsville Circle

Smithfield Building, Suite 303A

Norfolk, Va. 23502

AND

667 Kingsborougn Square, Suite 300

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

Spotless Janitorial Service Inc.

757-460-2520

4509 Yarmouth Ct.

Virginia Beach, Va. 23455

Staks

757-340-9170

737 Biltmore Dr.

Virginia Beach, Va. 23454

S.W. Day Construction Corp

757-523-0322

820 Greenbriar Circle, Unit 30

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

T&B Auto Repair

757-245-1771

4015 Jefferson Ave.

Newport News, Va. 23607

Taratex Development Corp.

757-399-4649

927 Douglas Avenue

Portsmouth, Va. 23707

Techcon Inc.

757-640-1952

630 May Ave. Suite G

Norfolk, Va. 23504

Tidewater Demolition & Construction

757-625-1868

475 Barce Lona Lane

Virginia Beach, Va. 23452

Tiggs Welding, LLC

757-624-4353

816 East 25th Street

Norfolk, Va. 23504

Tymark Enterprises, Inc.

757-623-6490

850 Tidewater Dr.

Norfolk, Va. 23504-3300

Unique Fashions

757-262-2107

54 Coliseum Crossing

Hampton, Va. 23666

Unique Imaging Solutions

757-773-0248

2113 Hartford Road, Suite B.

Hampton, Va. 23666

http://www.uniqueimagingsolutions.net/

Unique Ltd Janitorial Service

757-857-1276

2932 Myrtle Ave

Norfolk, Va. 23504

W & M Masonry Contractors Inc

757-627-9725

2400 Llewellyn Ave

Norfolk, Va. 23517

WaterBoys International

757-825-1260

www.waterboysinternational.com

Water Plus of Virginia, Inc.

757-466-7293

5950 Poplar Hall Drive

Hampton, Va.

Wilder Mechanical Corp.

757-722-9910

850 39th Street Suite 102

Newport News, Virginia 23607

http://www.wildermechanical.com/index.html

Woodbury Construction Company

757-494-7302

804 Industrial Ave. Suite A

Chesapeake, Va. 23324

Wright Associates Inc.

757-875-0045

12680 McManus Blvd. Unit A

Newport News, Va. 23602

WTG Design Consultants

757-548-9777

860 Greenbriar Circle, Suite 412

Chesapeake, Va. 23320

Wylie Construction Company

757-393-9391

1546 Wool Avenue

Portsmouth, Va. 23707

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SAN FRANCISCO — After three and a half years removed from the start of the pandemic, some San Francisco small businesses said they’re still struggling to get back to pre-pandemic levels.

No one follows the issue closer than Maneet Sohal. His livelihood depends on tourism since he owns San Francisco Deluxe Sightseeing Tours, the company that operates the “hop-on, hop-off” buses.

“We’re picking (the tourists) up; we’re dropping them off. Every 25 minutes, we have a new bus come around,” said Sohal. “Business is on par with last year, so it’s almost identical to what we did last year. But we’re about 70 percent of what we did in 2019 right now.”

He said Union Square and Downtown have been very slow, even for this Labor Day weekend.

Nearby businesses agreed. Pinecrest Diner near Union Square no longer opens 24/7. Manager Morena Hernandez said they had to cut back on their hours because of declining foot traffic.

“We’re surviving. We’re not thriving,” said Hernandez.  “I wish the city would do something with homelessness because that really affects a lot.”

Many businesses said the downturn is the result of a triple whammy: homelessness, crime and the pandemic, which they said only accelerated the problem. They blamed years of bad city policies that led to the worsening street conditions.

“I grew up here in North Beach, and it’s a beautiful city that I love. And it doesn’t seem as beautiful anymore,” said Mac Leibert, whose family owns Pier 23 Cafe.”I’d like to see the politicians get it back to the jewel that it can be.”

On top of crime and homelessness, a man visiting for the first time from Las Vegas said the city has a reputation problem.

“That’s what took me so long to come here. My wife was like, ‘Let’s go to San Francisco.’  And I was like, ‘Well, they say it’s horrible there now.’ It is beautiful, the weather is great,” said Marcel, who declined to provide his last name.  

Marcel said his wife loved San Francisco so much that she suggested moving to the city. Marcel is a business owner and a developer who created the ‘Nu Media Tech Solo’ social media app.

Despite the economic challenges closer to Downtown San Francisco, Pier 39 saw big crowds this weekend. Pier 39 spokeswoman Sue Muzzin said sales for the pier tenants are about the same this Summer compared to 2019.

Sohal also noticed his buses are picking up and dropping off a lot more visitors over at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39.

“I think tourists preferred to stay on that side of town. Maybe safety is the issue,” said Sohal.  

He said city leaders have to do more so everyone not only survives but thrives.

“We’re hoping that tourism does bounce back and is even better than 2019,” said Sohal.

Businesses told KPIX 5, that while domestic visitors have returned, international travelers are still slow to come back to the city.

More from CBS News

Da Lin

Da Lin is an award-winning journalist at KPIX 5 News. He joined KPIX 5 in 2012, but has been reporting the news in the Bay Area since 2007. Da grew up in Oakland, and before his return to the Bay Area, he spent five years covering the news at three other television stations in Texas, Southern and Central California. He also spent five years reporting at KRON 4.

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Entrepreneur asked Yelp to dig into its data, to reveal which ones America loved the most. Together we created America’s Favorite Mom & Pop Shops, a list of 150 local, independently owned and operated businesses across 10 categories — including, yes, home and local services.

To see every category, as well as the methodology behind the list, click here. Below are the 15 companies included in the home and local services category.

Note: Some businesses may have multiple locations. Only one location is listed for each.

1. Pink Plumbing & Sewer

Phoenix, AZ

Company website | Yelp page

This mobile business, owned by Chris Martin, can dispatch a repair crew to anywhere in the Phoenix Valley for both scheduled appointments as well as emergencies (to which they can respond 24/7). A particular plus is Martin’s insistence upon flat-rate pricing, with no extra work done without approval.

The best plumbing service out there!” reads one Yelp review. “I have always been very happy and totally satisfied… received super service from Pink along with peace of mind.” “I contacted them Easter Sunday evening,” reads another. “[They were] prompt, professional and installed our new water heater in no time.”

2. Lani’s Tailor & Atelier

Redmond, WA

Company website | Yelp page

Owner Andrea Kim’s atelier has been a Downtown staple for knocking on 40 years now, which is a soaring achievement for any independently owned small enterprise. A seasoned designer, Kim makes wedding dresses from scratch, which is why brides-to-be constitute a sizeable chunk of the clientele.

But that’s not all. She’ll also alter/restore existing dresses and gowns, as well as tailor men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jeans and jackets. “[They] worked me in last minute for a next day wedding,” offered on gent on Yelp. “Amazing service with a smile! Great, great value.”

3. Rain of Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV

Company website | Yelp page

There is arguably no urban population in the nation more acutely aware of the sustainability and efficiency of its water supply than Vegas. Since 1996, Michael Chuk’s company has made a mission of providing clean, safe and cutting-edge water quality systems, which can feature water conditioners, softeners and reverse osmosis filters.

Describing his hard water problem, one Yelp reviewer vividly described his dilemma: “Our water was essentially liquid rock, so we decided to get a water softener installed… Rain of Las Vegas [was] trustworthy, knowledgeable and professional… Our showers are awesome now.” An added bonus: All its systems are USA-made.

4. Hero Air

Chicago, IL

Company website | Yelp page

In June, Canadian wildfires caused air quality in the Windy City to hit 5 out of a possible 6 on the particulates meter — a mark classified as “very unhealthy.” The episode brought new focus on the need for indoor air quality systems, a service that this 10-year-plus business specializes in.

President Vladimir Yanev’s team services both the city and its suburbs, and can tackle boiler and furnace/installation and repair, as well as HVAC builds/service/repair and maintenance (including ductless mini splits for room-individualized temperature control). And if one Yelp review is any indication, there might also be an impromptu seminar offered in the bargain. “My granddaughter was very impressed with you taking time to help us understand the boiler,” it reads. “I am looking forward to you taking care of all our boiler and hot water tank needs.”

5. Texas Electrical Connect

Austin, TX

Company website | Yelp page

According to the National Fire Protection Association, wiring, lighting, cords and plugs cause approximately 35,000 home fires in the U.S. each year — which result in between one and two billion dollars in property damage. Owner Miguel Alonzo is here to save you from future calamity. His areas of expertise include lighting, electrical panel, doorbell and security system repair, as well as troubleshooting/addressing issues with generators and A/C systems and a variety of other challenges, both business and residential.

“Power in the bathroom was out,” recalled a Yelp reviewer. “They checked all the outlets and found the problem behind some DIY work that was done wrong. They fixed it and improved safety by moving the switch to a location that met code…all in the same day.”

Related: How This Home Care Service Makes Sure It’s Always Running on All Cylinders

6. 5 Points TV Installations

Hialeah, FL

Company website | Yelp page

How hard is it to mount a TV? Home renovation geeks might say it’s easy — but for everyone else, it’s fraught with embarrassment and actual peril, including wall damage (should you fail to find the studs and/or use the wrong anchors), injury/damage resulting from drops, electrical short issues and/or mounting at the wrong eye level (the results much more irritating than you might imagine).

In other words, it’s time to call a pro. Since 2010 this small operation, just outside of Miami, has been relieving home and business owners of those headaches, and can also handle the installation of speakers and sound bars, as well as shelves and stands.

7. A Few Good College Men

Gaithersburg, MD

Company website | Yelp page

Dany Afeni is the owner of this diversly-capable moving company, which not only serves the entirety of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, but can also assist with further-flung jobs up and down the Eastern Seaboard and even cross-country. Services include simple deliveries (for stores that do not arrange for shipping) and traditional packing and moving, but also junk cleanouts, storage, furniture assembly and mattress removal.

“I had a move from MD to VA to MD in one day,” reads one Yelp review, “and I appreciated the status updates so I could notify the second party of when the team would arrive. They are so speedy and friendly!”

8. Bronco Pro Kleen Carpet Cleaning Denver

Denver, CO

Company website | Yelp page

Strategically-placed carpets can be a sanity restorer, especially for homeowners with large pets and/or kids. But there’s a problem: Those carpets are also magnets for allergens, bacteria, proteins and dust. If improperly or too seldom cleaned, they’ll contribute to indoor air pollution, and so exacerbate asthma and other breathing problems.

Bronco Pro Kleen is here to solve that problem. It’s based in Denver’s Applewood neighborhood, and uses eco-friendly gear that’s safe for pets and kids. It also includes a truck-mounted steam systems designed to apply extra cleaning and odor-removal power to carpets, yes, but also to home and car upholstery. The company will also repair carpets in a pinch, and emergency services are available.

9. Tony LaMartina Plumbing

St. Louis, MO

Company website | Yelp page

Though now in its 41st year of servicing “The Lou,” this small enterprise actually taps an even deeper lineage: The LaMartina family has master plumber-class expertise that goes back more than a hundred years. Those stripes show in LaMartina Plumbing being placed in Angie’s List Super Service Award ranks seven times now, as well as it’s A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau of St. Louis.

Tony and crew’s capabilities extend from bathroom upgrades to lawn irrigation services and water heater installation, and from kitchen sink to garbage disposal maintenance/repair. For larger jobs, financing is available, too, and an added plus is the ability to track service crews’ ETA via GPS.

10. MMPC

Long Island City, NY

Company website | Yelp page

MMPC was among the first companies in this sector to integrate the EPA’s Integrated Pest Management Practices into its services. With environmental awareness as a cornerstone, the resulting approach explores a variety of approaches to rodent and insect infestations “before pesticides are even considered.” It also partners with state and other entities such as the FDNY, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York — with that same goal of effective but sustainable and careful application, keeping kids and pets particularly in mind.

Solutions could be hot- or cold temperature-based, for example, or emphasize exclusion (sealing pest entryways or exit paths). Beyond that, fumigation is always an option, along with natural and other pesticides.

Related: A Buzzing Business: How These Entrepreneurs Turned a Longtime Annoyance Into Successful Careers in Pest Control

11. Isle Locksmith

Honolulu, HI

Company website | Yelp page

Servicing Honolulu (and Oahu more broadly) and owned by Shai Rosen, this small business takes no small pride in its response times. “On a Saturday evening, my elderly relative found herself locked out of her apartment,” one Yelper wrote. “Shai arrived within 15 minutes…and our whole issue was resolved.” Another, locked out of his office, recounts a technician from Isle Locksmith arriving on site in 15 to 20 minutes.

Rosen and crew’s considerable list of capabilities includes lock installation and repair, keypad entry assistance, broken key extraction, car key duplication, lock changing (including electronic/smart variants) and safe lock service.

12. Auto Pro Detailing

Fremont, CA

Company website | Yelp page

With two locations (Fremont and Dublin), this company serves the entirety of the East San Francisco Bay community, including San Jose and Silicon Valley. Very much a family enterprise and founded in 1994, its owner, Marvin, has brought on his brothers, wife and daughter over the years, and offers a considerable range of services, from paint protection and correction to headlight restoration, full auto (including engine) detailing to tinting services.

Describing persistent scratches that had defied other treatment, one Yelper turned to Auto Pro Detailing and recalled: “[They] promised me 80% [scratch correction], but delivered 100%! The car looks new again!”

13. Kingdom Electric

Portland, OR

Company website | Yelp page

Among the qualities that a truly capable electrician should have (including expertise and good communication and time management skills), adaptability is too often overlooked, and is a highlight of this small Portland business. “[Owner] John understands that not everyone can afford to tackle massive projects all at once,” recalls one Yelper. “I greatly appreciate the guidance and patience… He is a skilled electrician, but even better, is a wealth of knowledge regarding home renovations in general.”

The company can take on a wide variety of issues, including AC installation, electrical panel repair and circuit breaker installation (among others), as well as a newer service of increasing importance and one that’s very much in demand: EV charging station builds.

14. Star Locksmith

Brighton, MA

Company website | Yelp page

Family owned and operated (with Bulent Hatipoglu as the principal), this company harnesses decades of experience in the field and serves the greater Boston metro area. Residential, auto and commercial services are on hand, whether the need is lock changing, new installation, electronic/smart lock repair, rekeying, vehicle lockouts or a variety of other issues, as well as the occasional and unexpected extra.

As one Yelper recounted, “After closing on our new home, everyone immediately said to change the locks. [Bulent did] the entire job (6 locks) done in about 30 minutes. Before leaving he noticed our main entrance had some wonky screws inserted which was hurting the doorframe… in the blink of an eye, [he] had new screws in and the door shuts perfectly.”

15. Residential Express Services Heating & Air Conditioning

Springfield, VA

Company website | Yelp page

This service and repair company tackles the vital task of making HVAC systems perform more efficiently, safely and reliably — all of which are vital for a home investment that can easily run tens of thousands of dollars. It does it so well that the years are flying by: It celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2023.

HVAC is a complex job; it also involves air duct cleaning and repair, duct sanitizing and lint screen cleaning. The crew here additionally specializes in gas/electric furnace and water heater installation and repair, as well maintaining/fixing thermostats and air conditioners, and offers an ongoing service plan designed to extend the life of home HVAC systems. The company is able to respond to the entirety of Northern Virginia.

Related: Why This Industry Is Experiencing Incredible Pandemic-Fueled Growth

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Many cannabis companies may think of HVAC systems as simple heaters or air conditioners, but the reality is very different.

HVAC is a highly complex system of interconnected devices that must work in harmony to create the exact temperature, humidity, and air quality conditions that marijuana plants need to thrive.

A lack of comprehensive HVAC planning in both new and re-commissioned facilities, as well as infrequent maintenance, can lead to a myriad of problems in these complex systems.

Even small changes in temperature, humidity and air filtration can significantly affect product quality and consistency, resulting in significant lost time, production and sales.

In today’s highly competitive cannabis industry, businesses simply cannot afford to neglect regular preventative maintenance at the risk of significant revenue losses.

It is vitally important that marijuana business owners consider their HVAC systems a key element in the success of their business.

Prioritizing regular preventive HVAC maintenance is the best way to ensure systems are operating at peak performance and to prevent problems before they can occur.

Preventative maintenance can even save money by reducing energy costs and helping to avoid costly repairs or equipment failure.

Spring is an ideal time for growers to ensure their HVAC systems are effectively regulating the indoor growing environment despite varying weather conditions outside.

Here are six steps of a preventative maintenance process to ensure your system is running efficiently:

1. Clean condenser coils

Without regular maintenance, dust and dirt can accumulate on the condenser coils.

Over time, this buildup can cause your device to work harder and run longer, resulting in reduced system efficiency and higher energy bills.

It’s especially important to keep the coils clean in the spring, as airborne plant debris can attach to your coils and clog them.

If neglected for an extended period of time, dirty coils can eventually corrode, causing refrigerant leaks and even causing a system failure.

2. Clean and test cooling towers and water tower filtration systems

Although cooling towers are an essential part of many commercial HVAC systems, they are often overlooked.

Regular cleaning and inspection of cooling towers is crucial after periods of non-use during the winter months as they can become breeding grounds for bacteria.

In addition, cooling tower efficiency can drop by up to 40-50% if the tower is not properly maintained.

3. Flush cooling water systems and reheat hot water systems

Even a small problem with a chilled water or post-heating hot water system can significantly reduce efficiency and increase operating costs.

Over time, chilled water system plumbing can accumulate contaminants such as minerals, scale, and sludge.

In hot water systems, rust and scale can clog control valves.

It is important to regularly remove this debris to ensure consistent flow and proper temperature and humidity control.

4. Check the systems for refrigerant leaks

To ensure your ventilation and chilled water systems can effectively cool your environment, it is important to maintain refrigerant levels as specified by the manufacturer.

When the refrigerant level drops, the compressor works harder to compensate.

Refrigerant leaks not only affect system efficiency and stress the compressor, but are also subject to strict environmental regulations.

5. Check economizer function

Economizers are particularly valuable in the spring as they use the outside air to ‘free cool’ your building when the temperature and humidity are appropriate.

Without preventative maintenance, sensors will go out of calibration, dampers will stick, linkages will break, seals will fail and actuators will stop working properly.

When economizers work properly, they effectively reduce energy costs, often on the order of hundreds or thousands of dollars a month.

6. Change filter and belt

Dirty or clogged filters can lead to underperforming HVAC systems and poor air quality.

Over time, fan belts can become worn and loose, affecting the proper operation of the air conditioner.

Belts should be checked at every preventative maintenance and generally need to be replaced once or twice a year.

These six steps provide a basic guide to preventive maintenance of HVAC systems.

Of course, every building’s HVAC system is unique, which means that no two approaches to preventative maintenance are exactly the same.

Working with a commercial HVAC professional with experience in mission-critical environments on a customized preventive maintenance plan can give cannabis business owners peace of mind that their system is operating at peak performance while providing a safe environment for plants to thrive.

Peter McGrath oversees technical sales, equipment replacement and design/engineering at Mechanical Service Corp. based in Whippany, NJ. He can be reached at marketing@mscnj.com.

To be considered for publication as a guest columnist, please submit your request here.

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The Monday closure of San Francisco’s flagship supermarket Whole Foods is just the latest in a long line of chain and small businesses in the city. Crime, drug use, and economic factors unique to San Francisco have left many business owners concerned about their future in the city and where they might be able to relocate.

For many, the desire to move out of the city has been budding for years.

“Before COVID, we were just looking for a way out because of the rental cost,” Lucy Chen, a restaurant co-owner in the city, told the Globe on Tuesday. “And we don’t want to go. We are the third generation here and part of the vibrant Chinese American community here. The hills, the trams, the fog. I mean it’s great.”

“But after the 2008 recession, when things started to bounce back, prices started to rise. And crime. Crime was always there, but it just kept getting worse. Our restaurant was robbed in 2015 and the police did what they could, they really did but it felt like they were holding something back. All of this just screamed at us to get out. My brother lives in San Diego and I have a sister outside of Sacramento so we looked there for Las Vegas and Boise if you can believe that. Then the pandemic came and it kind of anchored us here. We invested all the money we had for the move to stay afloat.”

“So that’s where we are, and where a lot of others are too. A brick and mortar store a few doors down from us has managed to stay open despite Staples and Amazon. But they moved out, not because of them, but because the homeless crowded around their store and it scared customers away. This is the reality of San Francisco. Ask any shopkeeper here and you’ll hear them calling for tougher laws back.”

Another business owner, Alexei Volkov, agreed.

“We’ve been robbed many times, often people try to take razor blades or detergent and they run out,” Volkov told the Globe. “Last year a woman tried to go out with lots of baby food during a time of shortage. And what did the police do? They got them and everything, but the next week they were outside the store again.”

“I’ll probably be in Stockton by this time next year. I sign a lease there. I just want to live in a city with justice where people who steal don’t always come back. I can talk to you here about drug addicts, but I don’t want to keep you on the phone for an hour.”

Crime, homelessness, high prices, drug use

Helen Dawson, a small business owner who helps new owners know where to go, told the Globe on Tuesday how she breaks it down for people in the city.

“Okay, let’s say you want to open a supermarket,” Dawson explained. “They have all the licenses and everything, all the agreements and contracts and they just have to find a place. If you’re looking for a lower crime location like Pacific Heights or Marina or Russian Hill, you’ll have to worry about the cost. Buying is expensive, renting is expensive, and having a convenience store there might not matter. The same applies to tourist areas. If you go cheaper, you’ll have to deal more with crime. Affluent neighborhoods have also been hit hard, as we just saw with Whole Foods and these recent attacks, but if you want to open up in the Tenderloin, for example? It won’t be pleasant.”

“Drug use too. There are many open drug users in the city, and they can also come into the stores. Oddly enough, if you have a low-end business, you can actually benefit from it. If you’ve ever walked into a grocery store in a low-income area, you’ll see lots of socks, aerosol cans, shoelaces, small plastic roses in a glass tube, and other seemingly random items on the shelves that sell quickly. but look into this a bit and you will see why these all sell really well because they are used by addicts to get high one way or another. In a way, homeless people are also customers as they get cheap food, but at the same time they can also contribute to crime in the area. Depends on the person.”

“As for police coverage or getting help if you need it? The SFPD is trying, but they’re not really reliable because they’re constrained from what they can do and there aren’t enough of them at the moment.”

“So at the moment you either have to pay a lot for a slightly better place or risk being robbed more and generally being in a depressed area. That is the state of the country at the moment. The city is wondering why so many companies are leaving, and it’s because they’re fucked no matter what they do. Anywhere is a better option for business than San Francisco right now.”

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SAN FRANCISCO – As Nordstrom becomes the latest company to acquire shares in downtown San Francisco In search of greener pastures, small businesses lacking those luxuries are still struggling to survive the city’s economic downturn.

After overcoming the COVID pandemic, small businesses in the inner city are facing increasing challenges in the wake of the pandemic.

Bota, a popular tapas restaurant near Union Square, has seen a significant drop in customer numbers over the past few months, with at least 40% fewer patrons year-over-year.

According to manager Steven Martinez, the restaurant’s struggle is real and it’s not just about the pandemic.

“If you look at the restaurant right now, it’s pretty much empty,” Martinez said. “We should be a lot busier, but we’re not. Without any kind of congress, with all the layoffs in town, it really hit our restaurant hard.”

The drop in shops is part of a trend that can be seen walking the streets near the restaurant. Because rental signs and empty shops are becoming more and more common.

“Four years ago it was a great place to come to. Now it’s just … with the violence, the crime, the homeless, even me walking down the street it’s not as shiny and pretty as it used to be,” Martinez said.

Nordstrom’s decision to move away from downtown San Francisco entirely is a wake-up call for small businesses like Bota. Martinez often wonders what might happen to Bota and his staff if things don’t get better.

District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey took to Twitter to express his disappointment at Nordstrom’s departure and stressed the importance of what he believes is the city’s need for a fully staffed police department.

That’s why I believe the voter-approved charter change of good government that I’m co-authoring with @Stefani4CA will be the fastest to make the biggest difference – by sending a strong message that San Franciscos care about *real* solutions use for security. (2/2)https://t.co/2Gxvpw2dzo

— Matt Dorsey (@mattdorsey) May 2, 2023

Martinez agreed, saying they are not giving up and are trying to find different ways to promote the restaurant and its lounge.

“We’re looking for different ways to get attention,” Martinez said.

Mayor London Breed’s inner city recovery plan includes some big tax breaks for businesses. The proposal would give companies in the hardest-hit areas a two-year delay on tax increases, while companies that move their offices to the city could receive a tax credit of up to $1 million for three years.

Breed is also exploring a possible 2024 vote action for broader tax reforms.

Earlier this month the city’s Bureau of Economic and Human Development and the nonprofit SF New Deal launched a new initiative to revitalize the neighborhood.

The Vacant to Vibrant initiative awards grants ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 for pop-up businesses and up to $5,000 for expenses and tenant improvements.

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