November 7th, 2025

From the desk of President Henry Karnilowicz

Greetings from the largest small business association in area in San Francisco, advocating for all our businesses, including for issues such as security, legislation, and marketing.


We invite you to explore our website archive to access all our past newsletters.


SOMA offers a wide variety of services, restaurants, and more. Whether you’re looking for a great place to eat, need motorcycle repairs, want to explore local art, print or copy documents, visit an optometrist, enjoy a night out at a club, or even try an assisted stretch — you’ll find it all in our Member Directory.


We encourage all to share this newsletter with friends and associates. Help us spread the word!

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • URGENT NOTICE - SOMA & Mid Market Petitions
  • SF Thrives Grant
  • Renaissance Entrepreneurship- Starting a Business in SF
  • The Box SF- The Art of Active Networking
Petitions in Support of Mid Market & SOMA

We need support not just from SOMA, but all of San Francisco!


Due Date To Sign: Sunday, November 9th

About the Petition:

This Downtown Community Petition calls on City and State leaders to improve safety along San Francisco’s 6th Street corridor by funding Evening and Overnight Safety Ambassadors through HSH and/or DPH. Residents argue that while the neighborhood hosts a high concentration of supportive housing and recovery services, it lacks sufficient public safety resources, creating unsafe conditions for residents, businesses, and those in recovery. The petition also urges the City to regulate the rapid growth of convenience stores between Market and Folsom Streets, from 5th to 10th Street—many of which reportedly enable overnight drug activity. Proposed measures include a moratorium on new stores, restricted operating hours, bans on drug-related paraphernalia, stricter inspections, and stronger enforcement. Together, these actions aim to restore safety, stability, and community wellbeing in the downtown area.


***Please send two emails to info@midmarketcbd.org using the following prompts to have your name added to the petitions.


Overnight Ambassador Petition

Subject line: Overnight Ambassador Petition

Body: Dear Mid Market Community Benefit District,

Please add my name, email address and street address to the Overnight Ambassador Petition you'll be sending to the Mayor's Office and Board of Supervisors on Monday, November 10. They are as follows:

Name:

Address:

Email Address:


Convenience Store Petition

Subject: Please add my name to the Convenience Store Petition

Body: Dear Mid Market Community Benefit District,

Please add my name, address, and email address to the Convenience Store Petition you are sending to the Mayor's Office and the Board of Supervisors on Monday, November 10. They are as listed:

Name:

Address:

Email Address:

SF Thrives Grant

SF Thrives Grant Program Now Open for Applications...


Due Date: Friday, November 14th

Time: 5:00 PM


This program offers up to $10,000 in reimbursements for operating expenses to help strengthen small businesses located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods that continue to experience a slower post-pandemic recovery.


Eligible Neighborhoods:

  • SOMA, Tenderloin, and Mid-Market
  • Western Addition
  • Treasure Island


Basic Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify, storefront businesses must have:

  • Been in operation on or before December 31, 2020,
  • Experienced closures or limited operations during Shelter in Place (SIP) orders, and
  • Be currently located within eligible low- to moderate-income areas (as shown on the program map) and continue to provide goods and services to local residents.


For more information, click the button below and help spread the word!

Renaissance Entrepreneurship-

Starting a Business in San Francisco

Date: Thursday, November 13th

Time: 5:00 - 7:30

Where: Virtual on Zoom


Learn how the San Francisco Office of Small Business helps aspiring and existing small business owners and entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive in San Francisco.

The Box SF-

The Art of Active Networking

Date: Monday, December 8th

Time: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Where: The Box SF

Location: 1069 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103


Owner of The Box SF, Mark E. Sackett created The Art of Active Networking through one of his businesses, Brainfood Creative Programs, with the sole purpose of helping people do better, and it works! Come see why they've had everyone from “Smart Money Magazine” to “The Wall Street Journal”, as well as television stations from South Korea.


Also, a reminder not to miss their Artists & Makers Fair, held the first weekend of every month with free admission!


Learn more about this awesome monthly networking event at The Box SF by clicking the button below:

South of Market Business Association


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