A Take on Recent Merchant Breakins in Hayes Valley

A recent post in Public Comment SF about merchants being hit hard with breakins made our eyes roll a tad due to the outspokenness of a few chairmen of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA). Side note, we think it’s unfortunate the piece did not carry the view of small businesses on the corridor, but we recognize timing isn’t always on one’s side when stories are compiled. The following comments stand out in this piece: “With no tourist cars to …

continue reading

Formula Retail Chain Trader Joe’s in Hayes Valley?

The impact of bringing Formula Retail Chain Trader Joe’s to Hayes Valley is not being taken lightly by many long term businesses in the neighborhood, many of whom have shaped the character of the merchant corridor. Even more relevant to this topic is many of them have not been included in any of the discussions regarding Trader Joe’s. Here are just a few thoughts as we head in to Tuesday’s Pre Application Meeting. There is a consensus that there is …

continue reading

Freedom West Proposed Development for Golden Gate Ave, Laguna, Fulton and Gough Street

The 382 units of cooperative housing known as “Freedom West” were built in the mid-1970s, with 10 buildings rising up to 35 feet in height across four city blocks that were bulldozed under the guise of an “urban renewal” of the Fillmore District, led by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, in the 1960s. The Ambitious Plans for a Towering Freedom West 2.0 Read more details in today’s SocketSite post here.

Update: Hayes Valley Foot Beat Patrol

While Officers Schiff and Graham have been on the Hayes Valley foot beat for a few months, fellow Officers Tano and Chinawah will be joining them on patrol immediately. The officers will work on what is called “different sides of the watch,” per Captain Yep. “Between the four of them there will be seven days a week coverage” working from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. As two of the officers go off duty on their weekend, the other two will …

continue reading

340 & 362 Fell Street

SocketSite put up a real short commentary today on the subject. You can read it here. HVSafe is very concerned with the situation unfolding at 340 & 362 Fell Street as it will potentially displace three of Hayes Valley’s long standing independent businesses: California Detailing Inc, Domport Auto Body, and New Fell St Automotive Inc. HVSafe has been in contact with all three tenants; check back here for more updates as we continue to monitor the process. If you have …

continue reading

Just Questions, To Begin

Opinion by George P. Denny Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HVSafe. Dear Neighbors, So, how does it feel to love San Francisco? Take this question in any direction you want, over whatever general period of time you have felt this way. What is it like to pay the costs to live here, what unique perks do you enjoy, and in what direction …

continue reading

Hayes Valley Small Independent Businesses Cite Concerns Over Commercial Realtors Seeking to Leverage Pandemic to Allow Chain Stores in Neighborhood

Read the whole article here A recent article in San Francisco Bay Times highlighted three Hayes Valley stores; they checked in with each to discuss the challenging business climate during the pandemic. Some key points and excerpts from this article include: Hayes Valley is one of the last independent shopping neighborhoods in San Francisco. The uniqueness, vibrance, and charm of Hayes Valley is largely due to its restriction on formula retail (aka chain stores). small merchants are also concerned by …

continue reading

Help Nabila’s Break-in of ATM Machine

Update Tuesday December 15, 2020:One week after the break-in we’re pleased to report thanks to the many contributors we reached our goal. We appreciate all the support and all the shares – this truly was a kind gesture of appreciation for a small business that is so very central to our community. ~HVS Team Nabila’s got robbed in the early am hours on Monday December 7; three individuals hoisted their ATM machine in the back of an Audi SUV leaving …

continue reading

Hayes Valley Public Safety Meeting Recap December 2020

Focus Topic: Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Panel: SFPD Traffic Division, Lt. Luke Martin Walk SF, Jodie Mederios Bicycling in Hayes Valley, Tom Radulovich SFPD, Northern Station, Lt AJ Holder & Sergeant James O’Malley Takeaways: SFPD Traffic Division has 40 Officers.  10 are on duty at one time.  WALK SF is the leading pedestrian safety promoter in the city.  A new program for them is San Francisco Families for Safe Streets.  This is for families impacted by pedestrian accidents. Some bicycle …

continue reading

Hayes Valley Facebook Society Page Shenanigans

Here at Hayes Valley Safe we welcome feedback from neighbors. We also encourage civic discourse, varying views, the right for a minority to redress via petition, and the right for all impartial voices to be heard. We’ve been asked about our affiliation with the Hayes Valley Facebook Society Page (on several occasions) while some neighbors have been negatively impacted by the shenanigans that go on there. (There have been a few horrid stories of neighbors being called names and being …

continue reading