San Francisco Mayor Breed Launches Annual “Shop And Dine In The 49” Campaign To Support Local Businesses

Press release from the San Francisco Office of the Mayor:

November 23, 2021

This year, Shop and Dine in the 49 campaign includes a holiday trolley tour with stops throughout commercial corridors to promote foot traffic and shopping

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) today launched the eighth year of the “Shop and Dine in the 49” campaign, promoting shopping and dining within the 49 square miles of San Francisco this holiday season. As the City emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and continues its economic recovery, the campaign aims to encourage residents to support small businesses.

“San Francisco’s diverse small business community is what makes our City the special place we all know and love,” said Mayor Breed. “As we continue on our economic recovery this holiday season, it is more important now than ever before to shop local and support your favorite entrepreneurs and family-owned stores.”

This year, the Shop and Dine in the 49 campaign promotes shopping at small businesses and neighborhood corridors throughout San Francisco. Beginning on Wednesday, December 1, in partnership with neighborhood merchant associations, a trolley car with Shop and Dine in the 49 decor will bring holiday festivities to different neighborhood shopping districts throughout the City over three weekends. OEWD’s City Hall Holiday Pop-Up will also return on December 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring over 35 local artists and makers in partnership with the San Francisco Arts Commission.

A schedule of the trolley tour, as well as a calendar of holiday-related events, activities, and promotions planned by local businesses and neighborhood shopping districts, can be found at www.shopdine49.com.

“The Holidays are a critical season for small retailers, restaurants, local manufacturers and artists, and the people they employ,” said Kate Sofis, Director, Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “As San Franciscans begin their holiday shopping this season, we’re encouraging residents and visitors alike to shop local by visiting our neighborhood corridors or by ordering online from local retailers. Our diverse merchants are the bedrock of our communities and our economy. By directing our spending locally, we will ensure this Holiday Season will be an important milestone for our City’s economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.”

To support the promotion of the Shop and Dine in the 49 campaign, San Francisco introduced legislation sponsored by Supervisor Stefani to waive permit fees for businesses seeking to conduct sidewalk retail sales between December 4th and 5th and December 11th and 12th, two of the busiest shopping weekends during the holidays.

“Small businesses are an essential part of what makes San Francisco such a vibrant and desirable place to live, work and visit,” said District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani. “As we emerge from the pandemic, we must do everything we can to support our local, small businesses to ensure they fully recover. I urge every single San Franciscan to join me and Shop and Dine in the 49 this holiday season.”

This press release was produced by the San Francisco Office of the Mayor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.