Small Business

Neighborhood small business issues.

HVSafe Letter to Planning Department, RE: Trader Joe’s at 555 Fulton

We thank all of you who reached out to us to add your .02 and concerns about Trader Joe’s. We’re sharing our recent correspondence to the Planning Department and some of our positions on this matter. We recognize taking a position is often fraught with apprehension, but we believe it’s critical for the health of civic dialogue, advocacy and the … Read post

Trader Joe’s Planning Commission Meeting – July 22nd

Meeting info: Thursday, July 22, 2021 Time 1:00pm *This is item #14 – so expect this item to be presented late afternoon/early evening Info found here: https://sfplanning.org/event/planning-commission-142 555 FULTON STREET – southeast corner of Laguna Street; Lot 058 in Assessor’s Block 0794(District 5) – Request for C o nditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections303(c), 303.1, 703.4, and 249.35A … Read post

Thoughts on Trader Joe’s: Traffic and Parking

Pre Application Meeting Takeaways continued You can read part 1 of our thoughts here. Traffic and parking concerns were at the forefront of the topics covered at the meeting. For a neighborhood plagued with traffic congestion, reckless driving issues and SFMTA continuing to minimize parking options it’s understandable that there are serious concerns of the impacts this chainstore will bring … Read post

More Thoughts on Trader Joe’s

Pre Application Meeting Takeaways Last week’s Pre Application meeting with Trader Joe’s left us with more questions than answers. The overall vibe of the meeting was mixed. On one hand, Trader Joe’s fans expressed overall enthusiasm about the plan. On the other, there was a myriad of concerns expressed by attendees. Concerns fielded at the meeting included topics pertaining to … Read post

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 … Read post

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 … Read post

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 … Read post

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 … Read post