June 17, 2025
Attention Board of Supervisors
We write on behalf of the Hayes Valley Small Business Association to express our strong opposition to the proposed designation of Hayes Valley as an Entertainment Zone. This amendment was introduced without notice, without transparency, and without any meaningful engagement with the small businesses that keep this corridor functioning.
Let us be clear: the weekend street closure has already harmed our businesses. Foot traffic and revenue have declined. Customers avoid the corridor. Now, this legislation threatens to make that hardship permanent — while benefiting a narrow set of nightlife interests.
It’s also important to clarify why this association was formed: because neither the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA) nor the Hayes Valley Merchants Council (HVMC) represent the interests of independent storefront operators. In fact, there is a direct conflict of interest. Individuals pushing this amendment are also tied to the current closure permit and event programming which have brought disorder and economic loss to many of us.
Recent events underscore the risk. Following the march this past weekend, several storefronts experienced public urination and other disruptive impacts — once again leaving businesses to clean up without support or compensation. This is what we are being asked to absorb and normalize, without input or recourse.
With this Entertainment Zone designation looming, we may be forced to explore all legal avenues available to protect our livelihoods and the fair use of our corridor. There is no management plan. No enforcement mechanism. And no accountability for the current permit holder, who has already failed to comply with basic conditions.
There has also been a complete lack of accountability from the Supervisor who introduced this legislation. Supervisor Mahmood briefly mentioned the Entertainment Zone during a March meeting which he cut short, after we expressed serious concerns about the closure’s impact on small businesses. Since then, there has been no follow-up, no outreach, and no attempt to engage with us. Instead, he chose to announce the plan during a Friday evening press event staged on the 400 block. If this is his idea of leadership, he may want to prepare for a recall — because we are prepared to organize.
We urge you to:
– Remove Hayes Valley from this ordinance
– Reject policy that prioritizes bars over neighborhood-serving businesses
Hayes Valley is not a nightlife district. It is a working, mixed-use neighborhood — and our businesses cannot survive this kind of top-down experiment. Please don’t legislate away our future.
Sincerely,
HVSBA