17 New Pop-Up Shops Opening in Empty Downtown SF Storefronts (Oct. 5-6)

Get ready for the grand opening schedule for the first cohort of pop-up activations in the inaugural Vacant to Vibrant program, a partnership with Mayor London N. Breed and the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic Workforce and Development (OEWD) along with support from presenting sponsor Wells Fargo.

Beginning the week of October 2, 2023, all nine Vacant to Vibrant storefront locations featuring 17 unique pop-ups will be open for business in San Francisco’s Financial District. Participants include local independently-owned businesses, nonprofit organizations, artists, designers, restaurateurs, and other merchants, each of whom is set to activate within previously vacant ground floor properties while shining a light on the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of San Francisco.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5

Rosalind Bakery’s Opening Celebration
Host: Rosalind Bakery (bakery)
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 4504
About: Complimentary morning snacks or an afternoon pick up including bread, pastries, and coffee.

KALW’s Opening Night Celebration & Art Show
Host: KALW-FM 91.7 (radio station), Creativity Explored (art nonprofit), Bee Betwee (artist)
Time: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 100
About: Open house-style happy hour beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the gallery space, followed by a town hall-style conversation about the state of downtown San Francisco. At 8:00 p.m., KALW DJs will take over, laying the soundtrack for the opening night celebration.

Sucka Flea Night Market with Luminous Waveforms
Host: Sucka Flea (retail shop) and Victoria Heilweil & Phil Spitler
Time: 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Location: 332 Pine Street
About: A night market featuring DJs, vendors, and illuminated art. Sounds by Sazon Libre, Sheesh Records, and Special Guests. Featuring local artists, makers, and community organizations.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6

Whack Donuts! & York Street Cafe’s Opening Celebration
Hosts: Whack Donuts! (bakery) & York Street Cafe (cafe)
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 4507
About: Drink specials and donut flavors are available for one day only! The first 25 customers will receive a free sticker along with a purchase of a donut or drink.

Yonder’s Opening Celebration
Host: Yonder (retail shop)
Time: 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: 151 Jackson Street
About: Gallery-style: wine, snacks, and giveaways.

Teranga’s Opening Celebration
Host: Teranga (restaurant)
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 4104
About: Small bites and samples of the African Super Food to be served, while supplies last.

Relish: SF Bay Area (Reunion) & Art Show
Host: GCS Agency (multi-media agency)
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: 201 Jackson Street
About: Bringing together original artists from the 2017 edition of “Relish: SF Bay Area” alongside new special guest artists to showcase their latest works. Celebrating artistic growth and community, this event reconnects artists and art enthusiasts in a dynamic exhibition of evolution and inspiration. RSVP requested at VibrantSF.org

Devil’s Teeth’s Opening Celebration & Drag Show
Host: Devil’s Teeth (bakery)
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: One Embarcadero Center, Suite 1113
About: A pastry-themed drag show!

Holy Stitch!’s Opening Celebration
Host: Holy Stitch! (apparel education)
Time: 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 100 California Street, Suite 140
About: Holy Stitch!’s Factory Fellowship officially opens its Factory and School doors to the public and presents its programming of classes, workshops, seminars, events, and panels, alongside some new creations. All proceeds help subsidize the 501(c)(3) nonprofit and its students in need.

In preparation for these grand opening festivities, several activators have begun opening their doors to the public as part of the first cohort’s soft opening period.

With soft openings taking place on a rolling basis, the most up-to-date information about hours of operation during the soft launch period is available through each pop-up’s own social media channels. Regular operating hours for pop-ups beginning the week of October 2 will be available online at VibrantSF.org.

 

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