As the media have reported, there may be a strike of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) system as early as Monday, July 1. Such an event will undoubtedly impact the commute throughout the Bay Area region. The City of San Francisco remains open for business during this time and local City agencies are coordinating to ensure vital public services are not interrupted. To help minimize the impacts from this strike, we are encouraging the businesses community to plan ahead and consider commute alternatives for their employees including:
 
・         Adjusting Work Hours
・         Telecommuting
・         Carpooling
・         Taking Alternate Routes
 
We appreciate your support in sharing this information and working with your employees to help minimize impacts during this time. Please do share and pass on this information.  If you have questions and concerns, contact:
 
Gloria Chan 
Communications Director 
Office of Economic and Workforce Development
Tel: (415) 554-6926, [email protected]
 
Meantime, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has developed a contingency plan to get people to and from their destinations; including:
 
Muni
 
To keep major BART corridor service fully staffed, the SFMTA will prioritize Muni service along the following bus routes and rail lines during peak hours:
・         14 Mission
・         49 Van Ness-Mission
・         J Church (to and from Balboa Park/Geneva)
・         N Judah (to and from Caltrain @ 4th and King)
 
Transit Fare Inspectors will be deployed to assist customers with directions on how to reach their destinations and how to purchase their Muni fares.
 
Parking and Traffic
 
SFMTA Parking and Traffic, Enforcement and Off-Street Parking employees will be mobilized to implement measures designed to alleviate traffic congestion and to assist travelers. Parking garages may have parking available. Off street parking staff will provide garage managers with additional outreach materials.
 
Visit www.sfpark.org or download the application to find real-time information about available on and off-street parking spaces and rates in SFpark pilot areas.
 
Casual Carpooling
 
Casual carpooling will be expanded for San Francisco-East Bay travelers and available from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
 
・         Carpooling Departure Point C1 for East Bay locations along the Richmond BART Line is located on Beale Street between Howard and Folsom streets.
・         Carpooling Departure Point C2 for East Bay locations along the Fremont and Dublin/Pleasanton BART lines is located on the west side of Spear Street between Howard and Folsom streets.
・         Carpooling Departure Point C3 for East Bay locations along the Pittsburg/Baypoint BART Line is located on the east side of Spear Street between Howard and Folsom streets.
 
Taxi Service
 
In the morning, taxi stands will be at key transfer points: Transbay Terminal and Caltrain Station. Evening taxi stands are at downtown hotels. A map of the hotel stands is available on sfmta.com.
 
Biking or Walking
 
In addition to transit, carpooling and parking, the SFMTA recommends that commuters consider bicycling and walking when these options are viable. If you plan to use a bicycle for your commute, a map of bicycle routes is available at:http://www.sfmta.com/maps/san-francisco-bike-map-walking-guide.
There are number of transportation alternatives with websites that provide information to help plan commutes during this period. The Bay Area’s 511 website is a valuable resource in helping to plan a trip from anywhere in the Metropolitan Bay Area. Links to many trains, buses and ferries are also provided for your convenience below.

Bay Area Commuting
All things transit at 511.org: http://www.511.org/

Casual carpooling: http://rideshare.511.org/carpool/casual_carpool.aspx
More on casual carpooling: http://www.ridenow.org/carpool/

Buses
Alameda/Oakland/Contra Costa: http://www.actransit.org/
Western Contra Costa: http://www.westcat.org/
North Bay: http://www.goldengatetransit.org/
San Mateo County: http://www.samtrans.com/
Santa Clara Valley: http://www.vta.org/
San Francisco: http://www.sfmta.com/

Ferries
Vallejo, Oakland, Alameda: http://sanfranciscobay
 
Trains
Amtrak: http://www.amtrak.com/home
Caltrain: http://www.caltrain.com/

San Francisco, CA--Mayor Edwin M. Lee today launched an online tool to help new businesses navigate the City’s permitting and licensing requirements. License 123 is an easy-to-use tool that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to access permits and licenses at one convenient site, instead of contacting several City agencies, as they open a new business in San Francisco.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy and a significant job creator,” said Mayor Lee. “This new tool is a great example of how we are using technology and innovation to make government more responsive and efficient to help our businesses grow and succeed in our City.”

Created in partnership with the Office of Small Business, Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the Department of Technology, License 123 allows users to apply for the City’s permits and licenses online easily. Users begin by selecting the industry and specific type of business they would like to operate. Based on their selections, they are able to see all permits, licenses and estimated costs associated with their business type.  Users are then able to download the forms and are referred to the Departments responsible for accepting their applications.

“Traditionally, new business owners who did not visit the Office of Small Business would have to approach many departments to pick up or download the forms they need to start their business,” said Office of Small Business Director Regina Dick-Endrizzi. “License 123 provides a single place where forms are easily accessible and downloadable at any time of the day with only a few clicks.”

In addition to City and County of San Francisco forms, there are 204 State of California forms and 100 Federal forms related to various business types. License 123 currently offers information on 258 unique types of businesses across 19 industries.

“Knowing that the permitting process was not an easy one, I greatly appreciated that License 123 was able to gather all the information I needed in one place,” said License 123 beta user Steve Fox, a small business owner targeting the opening of Urban Putt, a restaurant and bar with an 18-hole indoor miniature golf course in San Francisco’s Mission District in Fall 2013. “Navigation was simple and I was able to get to every form I needed with no more than two clicks.”

Through License 123, users are also referred to the Office of Small Business for additional guidance. The Office of Small Business provides one-on-one customized business assistance in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese and all forms are offered in Spanish and Chinese.

The launch of License 123 is a continuation of Mayor Lee’s concentrated effort to make it easier for small businesses to start, stay, and grow in San Francisco while using technology to improve access to information and government services. In November, the Mayor also announced the Enterprise Zone Web App, a tool to help businesses access Hiring Tax Credits online.

License 123 is a product of DocStoc, a company that hosts a selection of professional documents and resources for small businesses.  To access the new License 123 online tool, go to: http://sf.license123.com

Happy New Year!

As we kick off January 2013, EAG would like to recap the last year by taking a look at all of the great businesses that have started up in the Excelsior over the past year of 2012.  We've had 28 businesses start on our commercial corridor over the past 12 months!  If you're seeking new experiences for 2013, please consider walking down to your local shopping district to try out one of these new establishments in our community. 

Calabria Brothers, 4763 Mission Street, a delicious Italian deli
Rincon Latino, 5080 Mission Street, new owners have livened up the space and spiced up the menu
Ruby Beauty Salon, 4790 Mission Street, swing by for a trim
Blue Moon Party Supply, 4447 Mission Street, your one stop shop for all party needs
Jasmin Envios, 4447 Mission Street
Best Educational Center, 5000 Mission Street, offers tutoring for kids
Yaquesita's Nails, 4861 Mission Street, offers classes on how to do nail art
Live Sushi, 4808 Mission Street, great ambiance and excellent Japanese cuisine
Flex (Fit Life Excelsior), 60 Ocean Avenue, our very own community gym
Excelsior Yoga, 4831 Mission Street, two local yogis have started their own studio on the corridor
Wow Fashion, 4799 Mission Street, apparel for women, men, and children
Kuta Bistro, 4994 Mission Street, Filipino cuisine, opens in the evening for dinner and karaoke
Molly's Nail Salon, 4767 Mission Street, right across the street from the Library, grab a book and get a pedicure
Transporte David, 4786 Mission Street, a local travel agent, services offered in Spanish and English
Lucy's Nails, 4907 Mission Street, a nice new nail salon further up the corridor
Metapan Restaurant, 4769 Mission Street, a delicious new Salvadorean option on the corridor
Cyber Express, 4736 Mission Street,  stop by to use the internet, make a copy, or send a fax
Panchitas Pupuseria, 4901 Mission Street, deliciously fresh pupusas and catering available
Express Wash Laundromat, 4815 Mission Street, brand new washers and dryers, very clean and good for large loads
City Business Center, 4837 Mission Street, a  cozy spot for cafe, internet, copy, and fax 
SF Cash for Gold, 4851 Mission Street, will buy gold items for cash
Taqueria Menudo, 4591 Mission Street, recently changed owners and has new items on the menu
Net Stop, 4458 Mission Street, a great open space to study and use the internet
Sirena's Beauty Salon, 4539 Mission Street, this cute salon has moved into the former Bertha's Salon
Puzzle Piece Tattoo, 4983 Mission Street, great artwork and friendly staff
Jin's Collection, 4806 Mission Street, stylish and affordable women's bags and accessories for sale
Oodles Ramen House, 4995 Mission Street, delicious Asian fusion food and drinks, restaurant, lounge, and bar open for dinner and late night

Are you an entrepreneur or merchant that needs support in seeking capital for your business's growth or expansion?  The Business Funding Factory is for you!

The Business Funding Factory is a six week series that guides entrepreneurs through the landscape of business funding and helps them tailor their business plan to support the type of financing they are seeking.  It features experts who will advise on topics such as debt financing, legal issues, equity investment, financial management and loan packaging.  Qualifying participants will have the opportunity to pitch their business to a mock panel that includes business experts, microlenders, angel investors and commercial lenders.  Further loan packaging, mentor matching and post-loan technical assistance will be provided at no cost.  Classes can be taken individually or as a series and are offered weekly starting Tuesday, January 22nd.  All are welcome! 

Learn more and register at http://businessfundingfactory.eventbrite.com/

 

In partnership with Rebuilding Together San Francisco and Renaissance Entrepreneurship, Wells Fargo is offering small businesses the opportunity to make physical improvements to their façades with the help of design professionals and trained volunteers.

You’re eligible if:

·         You’re a single business owner and your business makes less than $200,000 in revenue per year,

·         Your business is in need of renovation or visual improvement, and

·         You’ve been in business for at least two years as of 2/6/12.

If you’re interested in receiving more information about free façade improvements, contact Nicole Agbayani at the Excelsior Action Group by calling (415) 585-0110 oremailing [email protected].  Act fast because as soon as applications are released, the project will move forward very quickly!