In a recent announcement, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie declared plans for city employees to resume office work at least four days a week. This initiative has generated excitement among local business owners who anticipate an increase in foot traffic to their establishments.

Local Business Enthusiasm

Atique Rehman, owner of Naan ‘N Curry near City Hall, is among those optimistic about the potential influx of customers. “The moment I came here, they started cleaning the place,” Rehman remarked, highlighting the city’s efforts to revitalize the Civic Center area.

Furthermore, Rehman expressed hope that the mayor’s commitment to more in-person work would lead to improved business opportunities. “We need people walking,” he emphasized.

Government Commitment and Employee Survey

During the CityBeat breakfast event, Mayor Lurie reiterated his objective, stating, “We are bringing all city workers back to the office so taxpayers can get the services they deserve from [the] government.” Following a recent survey, it was revealed that about 70% of city employees are currently working in person at least five days a week.

By April 28, the mayor aims to have all city employees present in the office at least four days weekly, barring those with approved accommodation requests.

Community Sentiment and Revitalization Efforts

A poll conducted by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce indicated a growing sense of optimism among residents, with 43% believing the city is moving in the right direction, nearly double the percentage from the previous year. Only 56% felt the city was on the wrong track, a notable decrease from last year.

Community leaders emphasize the importance of revitalizing downtown San Francisco. Rodney Fong, President of the Chamber of Commerce, noted, “You’re starting to see those businesses reopen… There are a number of different things that people have been working on for the last five or six years that are really coming to a crescendo.”

Innovative Approaches to Attract Visitors

New and creative experiences are emerging to draw people back downtown. For example, a Simpsons-themed pop-up bar has opened in Union Square, and monthly events like First Thursdays promote dining and entertainment in the area. “We have between 15 and 20,000 people who show up once a month to enjoy San Francisco in the streets downtown,” stated Manny Yekutiel of the Civic Joy Fund.

Challenges and Business Closures

Despite the optimism, some local establishments are facing significant challenges. Owners of The Market, located on the ground floor of the former Twitter office, announced they would close after a steep decline in sales—from $60,000 daily in 2019 to just $2,300 recently. They attributed this downturn partly to the prevalence of remote work.