Mayor Lurie Welcomes Four New Small Businesses to Union Square and Downtown

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Lurie today welcomed four new small businesses to downtown San Francisco, celebrating the grand openings of three new Vacant to Vibrant pop-ups and one long-term lease being signed following a pop-up success. San Francisco will welcome GCS Agency to Union Square, and Polly Ann Ice Cream, Elaichi Co., and Craftivity to downtown. The openings mark the first new Vacant to Vibrant storefront openings of 2026, building on the program’s momentum after launching nine new pop-ups last year.  

The new storefronts build on Mayor Lurie’s efforts to accelerate San Francisco’s economic recovery. Last September, the mayor unveiled his “Heart of the City” executive directive, with more than $60 million committed to the Downtown Development Corporation to foster a downtown where people live, work, play, and learn. Retail stores are coming back to Union Square—with the mayor recently celebrating the RealReal and AT&T returning to the neighborhood and Nintendo opening a flagship store. Since the mayor took office, crime is down 40% in Union Square and the Financial District, 20 new liquor licenses have been issued to support nightlife, office leasing has surged 66.7%, and San Francisco now leads major U.S. cities in return-to-office rates. Last month, the mayor announced that Biederman Redevelopment Ventures would continue its work transforming Union Square into an active public space through daily programming and amenities—bringing energy back to downtown.  

“Through our Heart of the City plan, our administration is accelerating San Francisco’s downtown recovery by prioritizing safe and clean streets, supporting small businesses, and activating our public spaces,” said Mayor Lurie. “Our Vacant to Vibrant program is attracting new businesses downtown and filling empty storefronts, and I'm thrilled to welcome these four businesses to our city.”

“San Francisco’s comeback is being supercharged with three new openings downtown,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “From ice cream to chai and great art, these new openings will inject new energy and life into our city's core. I applaud SF New Deal for their innovative Vacant to Vibrant program and encourage everyone to support these amazing new small businesses that represent the best of our city.”

“Downtown is roaring back with the help of our creative small businesses and talented entrepreneurs,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “The city has been laser focused on attracting new businesses and making downtown a vibrant destination, and these small businesses will be incredible additions for our residents, visitors, and commuters. I’m thrilled to welcome them to district 6 and to downtown!”

Vacant to Vibrant, a partnership between the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and nonprofit SF New Deal, will have activated 30 storefronts across downtown San Francisco since the program launched in 2023, transforming empty storefronts into thriving local businesses and cultural destinations. More than half of the eligible storefront pop-ups have since signed long-term leases. Last year, Union Square welcomed 21 new storefronts including Vacant to Vibrant locations.

“The Vacant to Vibrant program gives small businesses an opportunity to step into downtown without taking on the full risk of a traditional lease,” said Anne Taupier, Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “The opportunity to test an idea and build a following in high-visibility downtown spaces is working. More than half of eligible pop-ups have signed long-term leases, showing the strength of these businesses and the demand for vibrant storefronts downtown. We’re so proud to celebrate these three new openings and the momentum they’re helping build in San Francisco.”

“Small businesses are the soul of San Francisco, and Vacant to Vibrant ensures they can be part of downtown’s next chapter. We're lowering the barrier to entry for both emerging creative studios and beloved Legacy Businesses - and giving small businesses the opportunity to test ideas, build community, and grow in some of the city’s most visible commercial corridors. Seeing alumni like GCS Agency expand and welcoming new storefront locations from Polly Ann Ice Cream and Elaichi Co. shows that when we invest in small businesses, we’re investing in the long-term vitality of San Francisco,” said Simon Bertrang, Executive Director of SF New Deal.

New Vacant to Vibrant storefronts include:

• GCS AGENCY, an acclaimed contemporary art studio and creative agency originally launched through Vacant to Vibrant, is expanding downtown to open its second brick-and-mortar location at 236 Powell Street.
• POLLY ANN ICE CREAM, a beloved Outer Sunset institution known for stocking 50 flavors daily, is opening a downtown pop-up. Owned by Alex Viafara, Polly Ann is a San Francisco legacy business, bringing a multi-generational San Francisco story into the city’s commercial core at 120 Pine Street.
• ELAICHI CO., a Berkeley-based, chai-centered café owned by husband and wife duo Muhammad “Mojo” Joyo and Zainab Joyo and known for tea-forward blends and community-focused spaces, will open its second location in Yerba Buena.  

“Vacant to Vibrant first empowered us with 201 Jackson—and we proudly turned that pop-up into a permanent space. Now we're popping up again with confidence and intention at 236 Powell,” said Victor Gonzalez, Founder of GCS Agency. “Opening this location is proof that creative businesses like ours can grow successfully given some space and modest support. That's what we're doing, and we're bringing as many artists and partners with us as we can.”

“Polly Ann Ice Cream has been part of San Francisco for generations, and this pop-up lets us bring that history into the heart of downtown,” said Alex Viafara, Owner of Polly Ann Ice Cream. “We’re proud to be one of SF’s legacy businesses and grateful to Vacant to Vibrant and SF New Deal for creating an opportunity to introduce our flavors, and our story, to a new batch of ice-cream lovers.”

“Elaichi Co. was built around the ritual of chai and the conversations that happen around it,” said Muhammad “Mojo” Joyo, Co-Owner of Elaichi Co. “We’re excited to bring that experience downtown, creating a warm, welcoming place for people who live, work, and spend time in the heart of the city.”

Following a successful pop-up store, Craftivity—a hands-on arts and crafts studio specializing in creative workshops, team-building experiences, and group events—has signed a long-term lease downtown.

“We’re thrilled that our Vacant to Vibrant pop-up is officially a long-term storefront helping transform downtown San Francisco,” said Mary Lee, Craftivity Owner. “At Craftivity, we believe creativity builds stronger communities. In aen increasingly always-on digital world, we are excited to be an analog space for team building and face-to-face connection—a place where people can make something together and create lasting memories. We love being a destination for visitors, a crafting place for couples, families and companies, and an SF employer. Let's go San Francisco!”