THREE MORE BUSINESSES are taking advantage of a pop-up program in San Francisco’s Union Square and downtown areas as part of an initiative from the mayor’s office and Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
The pop-ups, including an art store, an ice cream shop and a Berkeley-based cafe, were announced in a news release from the Mayor’s Office on Friday, along with a more long-term lease commitment downtown from the arts and crafts studio Craftivity.
The pop-up program is called “Vacant to Vibrant” started in partnership with the nonprofit organization SF New Deal and provides a range of business help to incentivize businesses to test locations downtown, including up to six months of paid rent, technical and management assistance, and a suite of other support, according to the Mayor’s Office.
The new pop-ups include GCS Agency, an art studio and creative agency that previously took advantage of the program to open a studio at 201 Jackson St. Owner Victor Gonzales will soon open a second store at 236 Powell St.
“Opening this location is proof that creative businesses like ours can grow successfully given some space and modest support,” Gonzales said in a statement “That’s what we’re doing, and we’re bringing as many artists and partners with us as we can.”
Also opening in coming weeks will be Polly Ann Ice Cream, a popular Outer Sunset parlor with 50 flavors on hand. The multigenerational business owned by Alex Viafara will be located at 201 Pine St.
“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,” Viafara said.
And the Berkeley-based cafe Elaichi Co., owned by husband and wife Muhammad “Mojo” Joyo and Zainab Joyo, and known for its chai offerings, will open in Yerba Buena.
“Elaichi Co. was built around the ritual of chai and the conversations that happen around it,” said Muhammad Joyo said in a statement. “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.”
Craftivity signed a long-term lease at 351 Howard St. After a successful trial as part of the Vacant to Vibrant program.
Owner Mary Lee said the program was instrumental in helping open the location near Salesforce Tower.
“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.
The program was launched by then-Mayor London Breed in 2023 and has activated 30 storefronts since its inception, according to the mayor’s office. These mark the first openings of 2026.