Join us in creating economic prosperity for Black San Franciscans.
In The Black is a Black-led brick-and-mortar and online marketplace established by SFHDC’s Fillmore Small Business Empowerment Hub (“The Hub”). The Hub was founded to assist neighborhood entrepreneurs in obtaining technical assistance related to business plans, licenses and permits, marketing and communications, and renting affordable spaces so they can offer goods and services that are culturally relevant to their communities.
Opened in December 2022, the marketplace offers amazing products to the public, and provides affordable retail space in the Fillmore District to nearly 20 Black-owned businesses. You can be a part of this empowering project by donating to our capital funds that transformed this former Money-Mart into a neighborhood destination. Renovations included interior demolition to maximize the retail footprint and create an open floor plan, significant required upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, and ADA accessibility. Join us at the store, or by donating today!
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WE SIGNED A LEASE!
SFHDC is fundraising to build a marketplace showcasing talented, hyperlocal Black entrepreneurs at 1567 Fillmore Street.
At 1567 Fillmore Street, SFHDC and our funding partners have transformed a former check cashing facility into a new, 1,500-square-foot retail space. Join us in creating a marketplace for Black economic prosperity. At the highly visible corner of Fillmore Street and Geary Boulevard, the marketplace offers vending opportunities for Bay Area artisans, and a wide array of goods to attract local shoppers and tourists to the Lower Fillmore.
The Fillmore’s history as a thriving Black business district, and its current high concentration of Black consumers compared to other San Francisco neighborhoods, make it an ideal location to launch a Black-led marketplace that is a testament to community-driven development and economic equity.
SFHDC has secured an initial 10-year lease with two, five-year renewal options, guaranteeing access to affordable commercial retail for businesses for the next decade, and beyond.
SAN FRANCISCO BLACK-LED MARKETPLACE OFFERS
Cultural + Artisanal Goods for Consumers
Consumers get a localized shopping experience with clothing, jewelry, and home goods from trendsetting, Bay Area designers
Experiential Retail
In-store classes, community events, and an emphasis on customer service will attract consumers and build brand loyalty
A Model for Equitable Development
Offers a national example of community-driven economic development that creates community healing, unity, and resiliency
Business Development
All businesses participate in SFHDC’s 12-week business training program, and receive ongoing technical assistance and grant funds to support their growth
Subsidized Rent
With funding from the City of San Francisco, SFHDC offers subsidized rent for businesses to lower overhead costs and improve their financial returns
Access to Market Opportunities
11 businesses receive long-term, designated retail space; plus additional pop-up spaces and e-commerce opportunities for an additional 20+ vendors
All of SFHDC’s retail and economic development efforts are viewed through the lens of community development and grounded in the goals of serving neighborhood stakeholders, providing access to opportunity for entrepreneurs and meeting the demand for equity among communities of color.
The marketplace features some of the Bay Area’s best existing and up-and-coming Black businesses, such as:
Funding for this program is made possible through the financial support of the Dream Keeper Initiative, the Human Rights Commission, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
FUNDING SOURCES FOR ONE-TIME CAPITAL EXPENSES
The City of San Francisco has committed multi-year funding to the initiative to help subsidize program operating costs, and has committed small business mini-grants for participating entrepreneurs ($1.4 MM), and a grant to fund one-time expenses like design services, equipment, and furniture ($220,000) for the store.
| Funding Source | Value | Status | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
City of San Francisco | $220,000 | Committed | Design Services; Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment |
Foundations, Individual Donors, | $525,250 | Targeted | Construction Materials and Labor |
| Total | $745,250 | Detailed project budget available upon request. |
Support this important project:
We are seeking funding from private foundations, financial institutions, individual donors, and other sources of funding to repay the loans we used to renovate the space. Please contact Pia Harris at pia.harris@sfhdc.org if you would like to learn more about helping to fund this project.
One-time construction costs include interior demolition to maximize the retail footprint and create an open floor plan, and significant upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
This funding investment will provide meaningful economic opportunities and visibility in San Francisco’s notoriously restrictive commercial retail market for Black-owned businesses for at least a decade.
Naming Opportunities Available.
For inquiries, contact us:
pia.harris@sfhdc.org
(415) 822-1022
Interested in becoming an SFHDC partner? Contact us now.