Latest news with #VacanttoVibrant
Axios
09-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
How a pop-up model is rewriting downtown San Francisco
Downtown San Francisco's experiment to place pop-ups in previously vacant spaces is fostering a fresh generation of local business owners. Why it matters: It marks a new strategy for longevity for Vacant to Vibrant, the grant program launched in 2023 to address the increase of empty spaces downtown. State of play: Vacant to Vibrant is expanding to Union Square this summer and betting on the area's reputation as a luxury retail district to deliver better success for its pop-ups. The organization aims to reach a point of launching two to four pop-ups per month. How it works: When the city partnered with the nonprofit SF New Deal to kickstart the program, both small businesses and downtown property owners were invited to apply on a rolling basis. The selected businesses received a three-month lease to operate with free rent, a grant of up to $8,000 for operating expenses and the option to extend the lease for another three months for free. The model "reduces the risk to both the small business owner to try an idea and also to the property owner to take a chance on a small business owner that might not be able to sign a long-term lease," SF New Deal executive director Simon Bertrang told Axios. Each pop-up also got a project manager to oversee the permitting process and help negotiate with the property owner or leasing company. Funding came from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development as well as corporate philanthropy. What they're saying: All of the grantees Axios spoke to said Vacant to Vibrant helped streamline the permitting process and lower costs. "They're like an incubator, accelerator and micro-investor all in one," Mo Abdelmeguid, owner of slow-bake cookie shop Hungry Crumbs, told Axios. What's typically a 6-8 month process took just two months, he added. What we're hearing: Despite negative perceptions of downtown vacancies, Devil's Teeth Bakery owner Hilary Passman said the demand is there — her pop-up was busy as soon as it launched in 2023 and eventually opened on weekends. Multimedia art studio GCS Agency owner Victor Gonzales, who signed onto a three-year lease during the first cohort, also noted that "activity breeds activity." He's been able to offer his studio as a space for neighboring organizations to use. By the numbers: Vacant to Vibrant has helped open 18 storefronts. A total of 11 have signed long-term leases. Three more pop-ups, including beloved taco purveyor Al Pastor Papi, were announced last month. Yes, but: Foot traffic is still not at pre-pandemic levels.
Irish Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Business investment scheme designed to fill empty city centre units is ‘resounding success'
A COUNCIL investment scheme designed to fill empty business units in Belfast city centre has been a 'resounding success' the local authority has confirmed. Some £1m in grants was awarded to small and independent businesses by Belfast City Council through their Vacant to Vibrant scheme. 'As well as helping to revitalise and animate the city centre, the council's investment has generated over £3.5m in rates – a return of almost £4 for every £1 allocated in grants,' the Council said this week. The scheme was launched in 2022 to incentivise business owners to take up empty units across the city. Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant scheme has been a 'resounding success' Those who received grants under the scheme inlcide Another World, ArtsEkta, Bodega Bagels, Golden Thread Gallery, High Society, Michele International Hairdressing, Neighbourhood Café, Sloan's Gym, Vault Artist Studios and Verona Bridal. Of 48 grants awarded, 23 have helped, or are helping to regenerate a historic building or building of interest in the city. Round House Bakery is one of them. The local bakers will use their funding to bring artisan sourdough breads, pastries, and pizza to a unit in Cathedral Buildings which was almost destroyed by fire three years ago. The Vault Artist Studios received a £25k grant under the scheme, which will see them bring the city's iconic listed building Spencer House back to life. "We're delighted to secure £25,000 Vacant to Vibrant funding for Spencer House as the first phase of our fundraising towards taking on this iconic and historic city centre building," General Manager Neal Campbell said. 'Vault is passionate about advocating for the importance of arts and culture within sustainable regeneration, and we're very excited to do this in the heart of the city centre on Royal Avenue, where we can facilitate new conversations about how we reimagine and reactivate Belfast's heritage buildings," he added. 'We thank Belfast City Council for its support and we're hopeful that we can now press on and secure the additional funding that will be needed to bring Spencer House back to life, as a new home for over 30 multidisciplinary artists." The grants awarded have created 139 jobs and generated some £23m in sales over the lifespan of the scheme. 'Vacant to Vibrant has been such a success in the city centre, helping to strengthen Belfast's attractiveness as a place to visit, live and invest – boosting footfall, rates income, employment and business income,' Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Sam Nelson said. 'And I think that success is thanks to a combination of the applicants' energy, vision and hard work, along with the wraparound support we've provided to help them develop business plans, marketing, and of course linking them with suitable units.' He added: 'We're now seeking additional investment to allow us to extend the Vacant to Vibrant city centre scheme.' Applications for Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant citywide scheme are welcome from business start-ups, independent retailers, social enterprises, cultural and voluntary organisations and property owners seeking to transform their vacant property. Grants between £2.5k and £25k will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, until all funding is allocated. See More: Belfast City Council, Funding, Vacant To Vibrant
Axios
05-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Downtown SF gets $1 million from Wells Fargo in promising investment
San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program just got a major cash infusion as Wells Fargo announced it's investing $1 million to provide grant funding and support to pop-ups transitioning into long-term leases downtown. The big picture: SF New Deals launched Vacant to Vibrant under former Mayor London Breed to populate empty storefronts with local vendors through pop-ups. The fact that they're now evolving into more permanent tenants is a promising sign for downtown recovery. Long-term lease signees include Devil's Teeth Baking Co., art studio GCS Agency, Whack Donuts, KALW radio and West African restaurant Teranga. The fine print: Wells Fargo's donation will be shared across La Cocina, Main Street Launch and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. La Cocina's mission is to solve inequities in food business ownership by supplying affordable kitchen spaces and training to entrepreneurs, while Main Street Launch aims to create economic opportunity by giving entrepreneurs the capital, education and networks they need. SF Chamber of Commerce has been around since the Gold Rush era and plays a crucial role incubating small businesses. Catch up quick: Since its inception in March 2020, SF New Deal has supported over 1,900 small businesses in San Francisco with financial and technical assistance. It launched Vacant to Vibrant in 2023 to address growing empty spaces downtown and has since helped open 18 storefronts across the Financial District, Yerba Buena and the East Cut. 11 of those businesses signed long-term leases with Wells Fargo's investment. The program, which has helped food trucks like Al Pastor Papi commit to brick and mortar, is expected to successfully jump-start 21 storefront locations by the summer. Over 20 are slated to open on a rolling basis over the next year. Between the lines: San Francisco's office vacancy rate dropped for the second consecutive quarter during the first three months of 2025, according to real estate firm CBRE. What's next: A formal check presentation will take place downtown at 11am Wednesday. Small Business Fest, a community celebration that's part of SF Business Week, will be open to the public from 11:30am to 3pm.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Francisco food truck opening pop-up shop thanks to downtown revitalization
The Brief A program that seeks to revitalize downtown San Francisco by activating vacant spaces is expanding this summer. One of the recipients is a popular taco truck that will get a pop-up in the Union Square area. Al Pastor Papi was once received honors for 'Top Bay Area Burrito'. They offer Mexico City-style tacos and flavor. SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program is expanding once more with plans for a Union Square restaurant and other businesses that will fill once-vacant properties in the city's downtown. One of the recipients is bringing their authentic tacos to the area in their first brick and mortar. The revitalization effort, which is a partnership between the nonprofit SF New Deal that supports small businesses and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, seeks to transform downtown and boost the economy. Vacant to Vibrant started in 2023. This week, officials behind this partnership said this summer's openings will mark a significant milestone for the program. They've seen their 21st storefront opening since the program's launch and another 25 businesses are slated to open over the next year, they said. Miguel Escobedo, founder and chef of Al Pastor Papi, is one of the recipients of the program. He's no stranger to the Bay Area's culinary scene. In 1999, he and his brother founded Papalote. That endeavor put him on the map and got him exposure on the Food Network. "I left that in 2017," he said. His brother still runs Papalote, but Escobedo went on to run Al Pastor Papi, founding the food truck in 2018. "I was a food truck for six years," said Escobedo. He went on to get recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the "Top Bay Area Burrito." KTVU caught up with Escobedo back in 2022 where he demonstrated what it takes to make his burrito. At the time, he told us he went to a culinary institute in Mexico City to learn the art of al pastor. He was born in Mexico City. He said Mexico City-style tacos got a little lost in the whole birria craze (those are the cheesy, juicy tacos you dip in a consome.) He reminds us of this very important detail: "The original Mexico City-style taco is a corn tortilla, protein, onion, cilantro and salsa." He says 'El Trompo', the vertical spit roast, makes all the difference to his al pastor, the spit-roasted pork used in his dishes. The turnaround in getting this brick and mortar opportunity is pretty fast. Escobedo said Vacant to Vibrant reached out to him in early March. The space for his pop-up is reportedly in a former Chipotle franchise. "We're truly a block from Union Square. That was the beauty of the project," said Escobedo. "This is a unique experience for both of us. They were looking for an established brand in San Francisco." He said he's seeing tremendous support from SF New Deal. "Vacant to Vibrant is a movement that proves small businesses are the heartbeat of a thriving city," said Simon Bertrang, executive director of SF New Deal, the nonprofit that runs Vacant to Vibrant. He said they are working hand in hand with local small businesses, property owners and key partners like JPMorganChase on building a downtown that reflects the diverse spirit of San Francisco. "These long-term leases downtown and new pop-ups in Union Square signal real momentum, showing that when we invest in small businesses, we invest in the future of our city," Bertrang said. Escobedo said it's an honor to bring his authentic flavor to what he undeniably considers an "iconic neighborhood." He was enthused to be just two blocks from the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said the Vacant to Vibrant program is reinvigorating downtown. "Every time a new business takes over a vacant space, it breathes new life into our commercial corridors," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "By breaking down barriers for small business owners, Vacant to Vibrant is fueling San Francisco's comeback. Lurie thanked JPMorganChase for their support of the public-private partnership. The firm is furthering its commitment to the program with an additional $500,000 in funding. One of their representatives said they believe small and mid-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy. What's next You can expect Al Pastor Papi to make its debut at 232 O'Farrell Street near Union Square this summer. Other downtown pop-ups included in this summer's Vacant to Vibrant expansion include: Nooworks, a Mission-based apparel brand, at 236 Powell Street in the Union Square area. Craftivity, a hands-on arts and crafts studio that specializes in team-building experiences and creative group events, will pop-up at 215 Fremont Suite 1. In addition to new pop-ups, four businesses that opened last summer through the program will get long-term leases. Businesses that have now signed multi-year lease agreements include: Hungry Crumbs at 215 Fremont Street, 5B, Koolfi Creamery at 50 Fremont Street, Paper Son Cafe at 303 2nd Street, N102, and Studio Aurora at 302 Valencia Street. These businesses join seven others that were previous recipients of the Vacant to Vibrant program in securing long-term leases. Andre Torrez is a digital content producer for KTVU. Email Andre at or call him at 510-874-0579.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
San Francisco Union Square getting new food and fashion pop-up stores
Al Pastor Papi and Nooworks will be opening Union Square locations as part of San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program, the mayor's office said. The pop-up store will be Al Pastor Papi's first brick-and-mortar. Founder and chef Miguel Escobedo operated out of a pink food truck which closed in mid-January after six and a half years. "After taking time to focus on my health and family, I'm excited to share our beloved al pastor menu with the community once again. This pop-up represents a new chapter for us, and I can't wait to welcome both longtime fans and new customers to our O'Farrell Street location," Escobedo said. His new location will be at 232 O'Farrell Street. Nooworks is a women-owned fashion brand based in the Mission. The company describes their fashion as "wildly fun, quirky, cute and sometimes totally over the top." "We opened our first storefront in the Mission over a decade ago, and this pop-up is a chance for new folks to discover the art, color, and community that define Nooworks," said founder Jen D'Angelo. Their location will be at 236 Powell Street. As for opening dates, Mayor Daniel Lurie's office said Nooworks and Al Pastor Papi will open in early summer 2025. A third pop-up store will be opened but not at Union Square. Craftivity, which describes itself as a crafts and team building business will be located at 215 Fremont Street. According to the mayor's office, Vacant to Vibrant is going to be working toward launching new pop-ups every month after it got support from JPMorgan Chase. "Vacant to Vibrant has recently expanded its work with JPMorganChase, which looks to further its commitment to small local businesses in San Francisco with philanthropic support of $500,000 for Vacant to Vibrant," the mayor's office said.
