Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined owners Phil and Jacob Jaber to cut the ribbon and welcome Philz Coffee into the Tenderloin neighborhood. The sixth in San Francisco and located at 399 Golden Gate Avenue at Larkin Street, the new Philz Coffee opening signals the long awaited expansion of neighborhood serving retail in the Tenderloin, stemming from new development projects, growth of employers, and arts venues that are investing in Central Market and the Tenderloin.



“The opening of Philz Coffee in the Tenderloin compliments the neighborhood revitalization efforts we have been focused on,” said Mayor Lee. “One of the goals of our Central Market Economic Strategy was to bring much-needed retail and restaurants to Central Market and the Tenderloin, and today’s opening signals another great step forward.”



The new Philz Coffee fills a 2,600 square foot ground floor storefront, which has been vacant since the building/garage was built by University of California Hastings College of Law in 2009 to bring uses to serve students and help activate the space with positive daytime and evening uses. Philz Coffee in the Tenderloin will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends.



The original Philz Coffee opened in San Francisco in 2003 on 24th and Folsom Streets in the Mission, where it continues to serve their one-cup-at-a time brews. Other locations on San Francisco include the Mission, Castro, Civic Center, Noe Valley, and the South of Market neighborhoods.



“We saw the Tenderloin as a clear opportunity to be located in the very heart of San Francisco,” said Philz Coffee CEO Jacob Jaber. “The neighborhood is of the most progressive and we are excited be part of the change underway in the Tenderloin. We hope this will serve as a catalyst for other small and large businesses to locate into the area and join us in creating a thriving community.”



“Phil Jaber and his family have become a San Francisco institution since its inception in 2003, and I am excited to finally welcome them to their third location in District Six,” said Supervisor Kim, who represents the Tenderloin-Little Saigon neighborhood. “I am pleased that 399 Golden Gate will be the new home for a locally-owned family business, especially one with such a rich history and neighborhood connections as Philz Coffee.”



Mayor Lee also today announced the launch of a new website called EpicenterSF, an online tool created in partnership between the Civic Center, Central Market, and North of Market/Tenderloin Community Benefit Districts and the City to promote the diverse range of arts, food, retail, community events and meetings, and other offerings in these neighborhoods on any given day. Included on the EpicenterSF site is a business directory that allow local merchants to upload more information about their business and showcase their products and services to the influx of new companies, new residents, and visitors to the area, as well as to those who already live and work in the area. 



To kick off the launch of EpicenterSF, a community-focused event is planned for Wednesday, March 27th , from 5-7 p.m. at a neighborhood arts venue called KUNST-STOFF arts located on One Grove Street at Market Street. The free event will offer dynamic entertainment, light refreshments and opportunities to network with small businesses other community members. For more information, go to: www.epicenter-sf.org.



Mayor Lee also announced Larkin Street from McAllister Street to Geary Boulevard as his Invest in Neighborhoods corridor in the Tenderloin. Larkin Street was selected as an Invest in Neighborhoods corridor to leverage the momentum built through his Central Market Economic Strategy and build upon existing assets in the community, such as the large number of Vietnamese businesses in Little Saigon and the growing concentration of galleries in the neighborhood.  



The Mayor announced financial resources for businesses for Tenderloin and Central Market through his Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative including the availability of $500,000 in small grants to storefront businesses and arts venues for façade and tenant improvements. Grants through the SF Shines program are available to existing businesses as well as to those seeking spaces on Central Market, Sixth Street, or in the Tenderloin. Businesses in the area or those interested in locating in the area can also access technical assistance around leasing and financing, free of charge, by contacting the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD).