Category Archives: Neighborhood Change

Taraval Street is always bubbling with life as new businesses stake their claim and make a start in our neighborhood. If one takes the time to walk the street you will perhaps see more than you would expect. There are over 300 shops, services and offices on  including its side streets.

Here are just a few new places that have recently opened up:

B&B Skin Care is a very cute beauty supply that is hip and pink located on the corner of 17th Avenue at 650 Taraval.

Parkside Check Cashing not only cashes checks but has Western Union and other services located at 709 Taraval between 17th and 18th Avenues.

Ramen Doraku has a beautiful Tori gate entrance and modern Japanese interior. What better place to enjoy a huge bowl of ramen at a great price! Try it out at 1044 Taraval between 20th and 21st Avenues.

Brown Owl Coffee boasts hand roasted and individually brewed coffees at time of ordering! They also offer a points card so that if you buy 10 you get 1 free! They are brewing at 1131 Taraval between 21st and 22nd Avenues.

Yelo Gelato Crepe Café serves up hearty and sweet crepes but not only that but they also serve hot foods and cold drinks as well in a cozy little shop. Get your fill at 1351 Taraval between 23rd and 24th Avenues.

G-Cube brings Japanese shabu-shabu to Taraval, an increasingly popular cuisine where you cook the meat and veggies in a simmering broth. Taste what you’ve been missing at 1626 Taraval between 26th and 27th Avenues.

Banner Shop will help you make a special “Happy Birthday” sign to a huge banner for business or event just come by 2501 Taraval at the corner of 35th Avenue.

iKY Hair Design has a very cool modern salon interior and a great place to go to touch up your looks or get a whole new YOU! Grab a chair at 2809 Taraval between 38th and 39th Avenues.

We hope we see you out there on Taraval. Remember: Think Globally, Shop Locally!

The Taraval Parkside Merchants Association successfully applied for a Capital Grant from the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.  We will be working on implementing a Facade Improvement Program for at least four businesses on Taraval Street.  Hopefully these facelifts will inspire continued improvements along our corridor!!!

From a press release from the Mayor’s Office (April 20, 2010):

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has awarded a total of $520,464 dollars through the Commercial District Capital Grant Program to support the City’s commercial corridors and local business districts.

San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) is providing one-time funding for strategic capital projects in targeted neighborhoods to help stimulate the local economy. Projects were selected through a competitive process requiring the demonstration of a short-term time frame but long-lasting positive impact within the neighborhood.  

The catalytic role of the arts in community development, and its contributions toward creating vibrant communities in a neighborhood commercial district is an example of a qualifying project. Some examples of potential uses of the program funding include façade projects, tenant improvements, commercial outdoor enhancements and amenities.

“San Francisco owes much of its global appeal to the unique character of its neighborhood commercial districts,” said Mayor Newsom. “Small businesses in these commercial corridors are the lifeblood of our local economy. These grants for strategic capital projects in targeted neighborhoods will help stimulate the local economy and help ensure that these corridors weather these tough economic times.”

While having another satisfying lunch yesterday at the Island Cafe/Sunset Taqueria, the owner Melinda told me they’re closing down, perhaps by the end of April!

Formerly “J.T.’s,” formerly “Zim’s,” formerly (sixty years ago) Shumate’s Pharmacy, the corner spot at 901 Taraval Street on the corner of 19th Avenue is a gateway business to the Parkside District.Tens of thousands of automobiles zip by it going north and south on Highway One.

Word is the operators of the popular Sushi Raw chain are planning to move in. They have restaurants at Mission and Haight streets.

I’ll miss you Melinda! My daughter loves the Chicken Katsu and I dig the tofu burrito with ranchero sauce!

—Woody LaBounty, Western Neighborhoods Project