Local restaurant owners on Valencia Street in San Francisco are facing declining business due to a combination of factors, including crime, drug abuse, and a decrease in tourism. Despite being one of the most popular streets in the city prior to the pandemic, owners are now struggling to keep their businesses afloat.
Rafik Bouzidi, owner of a restaurant on Valencia Street, expressed his regret at choosing this location, stating that he would have picked a different spot if he knew what the future held. “Before COVID, there was no way in hell you could find an available space on Valencia Street,” Bouzidi told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Now it seems like another restaurant shuts down every week.”
This is driving wonderful small businesses to close in the formerly trendy Valencia Street corridor of San Francisco’s Mission District.
This city’s bloated bureaucracy is as inept as it is corrupt. pic.twitter.com/TKTJ5rLF6n
— francisco (@benniehimself) August 5, 2023
According to the Chronicle, Valencia Street has become a microcosm for the city’s wider restaurant troubles, including rising inflation and safety concerns. David White, co-owner of Yellow Moto Pizzeria, attributes the downturn to various causes, including the slow return of tourism and an increase in drug abuse and vandalism. In response, he has been forced to hire private security for his business, adding to the already high costs of running a restaurant in the city.
However, the decline in business on Valencia Street is not solely due to crime and drug abuse. Alexandra Gerteis, owner of a local restaurant, explained that her business has also been impacted by a controversial bike lane program that resulted in the removal of 71 metered parking spaces. “It’s only once in a blue moon that a delivery truck comes into this corner,” said Gerteis, highlighting the difficulty of attracting customers without parking options.
My friend just got back from San Franciso, last visit was 6yrs ago. She said never again will I go back, not over thought it was like a land of zombies. She left 3 days early it was so bad.
— Carol (@CarolGeorge55) November 2, 2023
The survey conducted by the Valencia Merchants Association revealed that business activity has decreased by as much as 50% compared to the previous year, with Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, reporting declines of 30% to 50% for her members on Valencia Street.
In response to these challenges, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has stated that they are “actively engaged” with local shop owners and have provided funding for events and programs to attract more foot traffic to the area. They have also introduced a grant to assist businesses impacted by vandalism. However, some owners feel that these efforts may not be enough to reverse the decline in customers.
I was there a few months ago. Saw I lady poop outside my hotel. And saw people shooting up drugs in broad daylight. Very sad place san franciso had turned into.
— Miss Craig (@allypariah13) November 6, 2023
The Valencia Merchants Association was unavailable for comment, but their lack of response may be indicative of the distress felt by business owners on Valencia Street. For now, it remains uncertain how long this once bustling street will continue to struggle before seeing a revival in its business activity.