SFMade opens permanent Union Square store for local makers

Overview

Updated Yesterday

SFMade had run temporary pop-up markets before. On Nov. 10, the nonprofit opened a permanent storefront at 373 Geary St. in Union Square, giving more than 100 Bay Area makers a downtown place to sell without running their own shop.

The store is a bet that theater crowds, tourists and locals will buy locally made goods. It also includes a six-week retail training program for 40 manufacturers, most of whom do not have their own storefronts.

Why it matters

If the store works, it gives San Francisco makers a downtown sales channel without the overhead of their own shops.

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Key Indicators

100+

Local makers featured

Products from more than 100 Bay Area makers and artists fill the store.

80%

Makers without own storefront

More than 80% of featured makers do not have their own retail space.

$480K

JPMorganChase grant

Two-year grant funds the store and earlier pop-ups.

Manufacturers in first Learning Lab cohort

Six-week retail accelerator begins in October 2026.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Joyce Shulman

Executive director of SFMade

Leading SFMade as it opens its first permanent storefront

Anne Taupier

Executive director of San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development

City official supporting local manufacturing revival

Tony Tolentino

Vice president of global philanthropy at JPMorganChase

Overseeing grant that funds the store

Organizations Involved

SFMade

Nonprofit manufacturing advocate

Opened first permanent storefront in Union Square

SFMade supports Bay Area manufacturers with advising, training and sales channels.

JPMorgan Chase

Investment bank

Provided $480,000 two-year grant to SFMade

JPMorganChase is the largest U.S. bank and a sponsor of SFMade's storefront.

San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development

City Agency

Supports local manufacturing revival

The city office works with nonprofits like SFMade to promote local manufacturing.

Timeline

October 2026 November 2026

2 events Latest: Yesterday

November 2026
SFMade opens permanent Union Square storefront
Latest Opening

Nonprofit opens at 373 Geary St. with products from more than 100 Bay Area makers and a retail training program.
Yesterday
October 2026
SFMade Learning Lab begins first cohort
Program

Forty manufacturers start a six-week retail accelerator as the store prepares to open.
October 2026

Scenarios

SFMade extends Union Square lease beyond first year

Possible Resolves by Nov 10, 2027

Discussed by: SFMade executive director Joyce Shulman, who said the nonprofit hopes to extend its one-year lease.

The store's lease at 373 Geary St. runs one year. If sales and foot traffic meet SFMade's expectations, the nonprofit could negotiate an extension with the Handlery Hotel, the landlord that offered discounted rent. Shulman has said she hopes to stay.

SFMade store closes before first lease ends

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 10, 2027

Discussed by: Not publicly predicted; the one-year lease and nonprofit discount make it a risk.

A permanent store still depends on sales, foot traffic and grant funding. If the store misses revenue targets or JPMorganChase's two-year grant does not cover ongoing costs, SFMade could close the location before the lease ends.

SFMade expands Learning Lab to a second cohort

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: SFMade's published plan for the Learning Lab.

SFMade says the Learning Lab is meant to scale beyond one store. The first cohort of 40 manufacturers starts a six-week program in October 2026. A second cohort would show the model can continue without depending on the first store's shelf space.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1940s

San Francisco's wartime manufacturing peak (1940s)

During World War II, San Francisco was a shipbuilding hub and had a major food processing sector. The city's industrial base employed thousands and made goods for both war and civilian markets.

Then

After the war, zoning increasingly favored office space over industrial uses.

Now

High costs pushed many makers to cheaper regions, shrinking the city's manufacturing base.

Why this matters now

SFMade's store is part of a later effort by City Hall and nonprofits to revive local manufacturing.

Before 2026