San Francisco Celebrates First Business to Open With Support From The Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant Program

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) today announced the grand opening of Falafelland, the first business to open with support from the Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant Program, marking another milestone in the City’s effort to activate vacant storefronts and strengthen small businesses in the Tenderloin. 

Under Mayor Lurie’s leadership, the Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant builds on a robust suite of initiatives that support small businesses and activate vacant storefronts across San Francisco. From Vacant to Vibrant, which has turned more than 27 empty spaces into active storefronts, to PermitSF, which is cutting red tape and streamlining approvals through common sense reforms, the City is making it easier for entrepreneurs to succeed. Additional programs like SF Shines and Downtown SF Vibrancy Loan Fund are helping businesses create bright, welcoming spaces that support the economic and cultural heartbeat of neighborhoods. Mayor Lurie also extended the First Year Free program, which supports new and expanding businesses by waiving permit fees and initial business registration.  Businesses citywide can also take advantage free, personalized permitting, leasing, and general business advising from the Office of Small Business.

“Falafelland’s grand opening is a win for the Tenderloin and San Francisco’s small business community,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Falafelland is the first business to transform a vacant space thanks to the Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant. We will continue to transform vacant spaces into vibrant neighborhood destinations, support local entrepreneurs, and bring energy to our neighborhoods.” 

"Falafelland will make a wonderful addition to the Tenderloin, a neighborhood known for its diverse and delicious food cuisine, and I look forward to welcoming them to their new storefront," said District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. "This is a testament to the success of the Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant Program's ability to attract and support vibrant businesses in the TL." 

“When we directly invest in our local entrepreneurs to take that first step, it brings new energy to the entire neighborhood and corridor,” said Anne Taupier, Executive Director of OEWD. “Falafelland’s relaunch in a previously vacant Tenderloin neighborhood storefront is a great example of that investment at work. We’re excited to celebrate their opening and support their success.” 

Falafelland, located at 265 Golden Gate Ave., will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, December 18 at 12:30 p.m. The event will include remarks from City leadership, the business owners, community partners, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Owned by longtime Tenderloin resident Billy Alabsi, Falafelland offers authentic Yemeni and Mediterranean cuisine, adding to the cultural vibrancy and fostering economic opportunity in a corridor where several storefronts have long stood vacant. 

"Today, Falafelland is officially open again. Not just as a restaurant, but as a commitment to this community. A place of warmth, dignity, and opportunity,” said Billy Alabsi, Owner of Falafelland. “I want to thank the City of San Francisco, the grant administrators, the community organizations, and everyone who believed in me when I had nothing left.” 

The Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant Program provides financial support to small businesses that commit to leasing and opening in a vacant ground-floor space within the Tenderloin. The program offers up to $50,000 per business to assist with tenant improvements, equipment, and the initial operating costs to open and stabilize. The grant program is a component of the Tenderloin Community Action Plan, which aims to support local entrepreneurs, activate key commercial spaces, and expand neighborhood amenities that directly serve Tenderloin residents.

Falafelland is the first of the program’s awardees to officially open its doors. Three additional grantees have secured storefront locations and are preparing for their openings: 

• Niebla, 374 Golden Gate Avenue 
• Libre Ancient Grains & Herbs, 585 Eddy Street 
• Sheba, 318 Turk Street 

“The Planning Department is proud to support Tenderloin entrepreneurs, like Mr. Albasi,” said Sarah Dennis-Philips, director of the Planning Department. “This collaboration is exactly the type of transformation the Tenderloin Community Action Plan has seeded in large and small ways for the last four years. By partnering with small business leaders who have faith in the Tenderloin, our projects touch real people, making real change for San Franciscans.” 

In addition to the grant program, Falafelland received permitting help from specialists at the Office of Small Business. This is a free service available to businesses citywide. 

The Tenderloin Storefront Opportunity Grant will relaunch in the new year. We encourage businesses to sign-up for the Office of Small Business newsletter at sfosb.org, to stay up to date with our upcoming grants. Details on the criteria for the new grant are still being developed. We expect to launch in early 2026 to support a small cohort of businesses.