Meaghan Mitchell

Jesse Rogala

In Here/Say&#8217;s series &#8220;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/project/when-the-lights-come-up-in-the-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When the Lights Come Up in the City</a>,&#8221; we tour three neighborhoods in partnership with <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broke-Ass Stuart</a> to learn how businesses and community leaders pivoted to success during the pandemic. Last week we explored North Beach. Next Up: Outer Sunset

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In Here/Say's series "<a href="https://sfstandard.com/project/when-the-lights-come-up-in-the-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When the Lights Come Up in the City</a>," we tour three neighborhoods in partnership with <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broke-Ass Stuart</a> to learn how businesses and community leaders pivoted to success during the pandemic. Last week we explored North Beach. Next Up: Outer Sunset

In Here/Say&#8217;s series &#8220;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/project/when-the-lights-come-up-in-the-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When the Lights Come Up in the City</a>,&#8221; we tour three neighborhoods in partnership with <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broke-Ass Stuart</a> to learn how businesses and community leaders pivoted to success during the pandemic. Last week we explored North Beach. Next Up: Outer Sunset

It may be on the outskirts and off the beaten path, but there is something special about the Outer Sunset. Aside from being Karl the Fog&#8217;s favorite place to hang around, the Outer Sunset is predominantly a residential neighborhood full of vibrant and colorful homes.&nbsp;

It may be on the outskirts and off the beaten path, but there is something special about the Outer Sunset. Aside from being Karl the Fog's favorite place to hang around, the Outer Sunset is predominantly a residential neighborhood full of vibrant and colorful homes.&nbsp;

It may be on the outskirts and off the beaten path, but there is something special about the Outer Sunset. Aside from being Karl the Fog&#8217;s favorite place to hang around, the Outer Sunset is predominantly a residential neighborhood full of vibrant and colorful homes.&nbsp;

It&#8217;s where thrill-seeking surfers go to ride the barrels of waves at Ocean Beach. It&#8217;s currently the home of San Francisco&#8217;s <a href="https://hrsy.media/r8l9Nq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longest car-free thoroughfare</a>, where hundreds of kids learn to ride bikes and cyclists cruise freely. It is also a community that recently experienced an explosion of creativity as residents worked to build places where people could safely shop and gather during the pandemic.

It's where thrill-seeking surfers go to ride the barrels of waves at Ocean Beach. It's currently the home of San Francisco's <a href="https://hrsy.media/r8l9Nq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longest car-free thoroughfare</a>, where hundreds of kids learn to ride bikes and cyclists cruise freely. It is also a community that recently experienced an explosion of creativity as residents worked to build places where people could safely shop and gather during the pandemic.

It&#8217;s where thrill-seeking surfers go to ride the barrels of waves at Ocean Beach. It&#8217;s currently the home of San Francisco&#8217;s <a href="https://hrsy.media/r8l9Nq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longest car-free thoroughfare</a>, where hundreds of kids learn to ride bikes and cyclists cruise freely. It is also a community that recently experienced an explosion of creativity as residents worked to build places where people could safely shop and gather during the pandemic.

While the rest of the city&#8217;s businesses either shut down or were in limbo, the Outer Sunset community <a href="https://sfstandard.com/7-outer-sunset-businesses-that-powered-through-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">took full advantage</a> of San Francisco&#8217;s hard economic reset and opened new businesses.&nbsp;

While the rest of the city's businesses either shut down or were in limbo, the Outer Sunset community <a href="https://sfstandard.com/7-outer-sunset-businesses-that-powered-through-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">took full advantage</a> of San Francisco's hard economic reset and opened new businesses.&nbsp;

While the rest of the city&#8217;s businesses either shut down or were in limbo, the Outer Sunset community <a href="https://sfstandard.com/7-outer-sunset-businesses-that-powered-through-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">took full advantage</a> of San Francisco&#8217;s hard economic reset and opened new businesses.&nbsp;

Here&#8217;s a look at three new Outer Sunset businesses that made their grand debut in the community during the pandemic and have since built a fanbase.&nbsp;

Here's a look at three new Outer Sunset businesses that made their grand debut in the community during the pandemic and have since built a fanbase.&nbsp;

Here&#8217;s a look at three new Outer Sunset businesses that made their grand debut in the community during the pandemic and have since built a fanbase.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp; Mercantile</a> | A Food and Art Metropolis

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outer-sunset-farmers-market-mercantile-a-food-and-art-metropolis"><a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp; Mercantile</a> | A Food and Art Metropolis</h2>

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<h2 id="h-outer-sunset-farmers-market-mercantile-a-food-and-art-metropolis"><a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp; Mercantile</a> | A Food and Art Metropolis</h2>

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3lZcDP8hPS7tq74Uz4NWYZrV-bX1kE8ONLjwVg6o7x_fiYoNXVfWjuQHhWErBTaLliyjcWW7IBF0l56SBgBtIcrg44YCrMixFzLN0ULYbErq5Co94EeFzs6LmpEMNBOno74brT14" alt=""/><figcaption>Angie Petitt-Taylor chats with Meaghan Mitchell and Broke-Ass Stuart at the Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp;&nbsp;Mercantile. | Photo by Here/Say Media&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3lZcDP8hPS7tq74Uz4NWYZrV-bX1kE8ONLjwVg6o7x_fiYoNXVfWjuQHhWErBTaLliyjcWW7IBF0l56SBgBtIcrg44YCrMixFzLN0ULYbErq5Co94EeFzs6LmpEMNBOno74brT14" alt=""/><figcaption>Angie Petitt-Taylor chats with Meaghan Mitchell and Broke-Ass Stuart at the Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp;&nbsp;Mercantile. | Photo by Here/Say Media&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>

Angie Petitt-Taylor is no stranger to the Outer Sunset. In 2014 she started the <a href="https://sunsetmercantilesf.com/">Outer Sunset Mercantile</a>, which activates 37th Avenue between Ortega and Pacheco Streets. At the time, Petitt-Taylor was looking to create an open-air market that featured local craft entrepreneurs looking for ways to expand their customer base without the hindrance of owning a brick-and-mortar location. She accomplished that goal by gathering dozens of locals to showcase their talents and sell goods like jewelry, clothing and pottery.

Angie Petitt-Taylor is no stranger to the Outer Sunset. In 2014 she started the <a href="https://sunsetmercantilesf.com/">Outer Sunset Mercantile</a>, which activates 37th Avenue between Ortega and Pacheco Streets. At the time, Petitt-Taylor was looking to create an open-air market that featured local craft entrepreneurs looking for ways to expand their customer base without the hindrance of owning a brick-and-mortar location. She accomplished that goal by gathering dozens of locals to showcase their talents and sell goods like jewelry, clothing and pottery.

When the pandemic hit, Petitt-Taylor saw an opportunity to double down on programming and give the Outer Sunset community what she felt they needed—a farmers market.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

When the pandemic hit, Petitt-Taylor saw an opportunity to double down on programming and give the Outer Sunset community what she felt they needed—a farmers market.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&#8220;There was just no other agenda other than to create a farmers market out here, which is one of my passions,&#8221; said Petitt-Taylor. &#8220;But then there was this dilemma of bringing the community together in a pandemic when you&#8217;re not supposed to be gathering.&#8221;&nbsp;

"There was just no other agenda other than to create a farmers market out here, which is one of my passions," said Petitt-Taylor. "But then there was this dilemma of bringing the community together in a pandemic when you're not supposed to be gathering."&nbsp;

&#8220;There was just no other agenda other than to create a farmers market out here, which is one of my passions,&#8221; said Petitt-Taylor. &#8220;But then there was this dilemma of bringing the community together in a pandemic when you&#8217;re not supposed to be gathering.&#8221;&nbsp;

Nevertheless, Petitt-Taylor told us that hundreds of people showed up at the market for its debut. While the crowd size made her nervous at first, she has since hired security to ensure that attendees follow&nbsp;safety protocols for COVID-19.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, Petitt-Taylor told us that hundreds of people showed up at the market for its debut. While the crowd size made her nervous at first, she has since hired security to ensure that attendees follow&nbsp;safety protocols for COVID-19.&nbsp;

The farmers market features over twenty food vendors, including popular made-to-order meals like gumbo from Chef Dontaye Ball’s <a href="https://solo.to/gumbosocial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gumbo Social</a> and fresh produce from farmers like Kou Herr of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunsetmercantilesf/posts/i-would-like-to-introduce-you-all-to-kou-pronounced-ku-herr-of-herr-family-farm-/3516993841750158/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herr Family Farms</a>. There is also live music and activities for youth.&nbsp;

The farmers market features over twenty food vendors, including popular made-to-order meals like gumbo from Chef Dontaye Ball’s <a href="https://solo.to/gumbosocial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gumbo Social</a> and fresh produce from farmers like Kou Herr of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunsetmercantilesf/posts/i-would-like-to-introduce-you-all-to-kou-pronounced-ku-herr-of-herr-family-farm-/3516993841750158/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herr Family Farms</a>. There is also live music and activities for youth.&nbsp;

Petitt-Taylor told us that the Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp; Mercantile has been so successful that she&#8217;s considered popping up in other neighborhoods, but for now, her heart is focused&nbsp;on her community.&nbsp;

Petitt-Taylor told us that the Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp; Mercantile has been so successful that she's considered popping up in other neighborhoods, but for now, her heart is focused&nbsp;on her community.&nbsp;

Petitt-Taylor told us that the Outer Sunset Farmers Market &amp; Mercantile has been so successful that she&#8217;s considered popping up in other neighborhoods, but for now, her heart is focused&nbsp;on her community.&nbsp;

&#8220;It fills my cup every day when I hear how much it meant to people to be able to have this, that the kids could come out and still safely play after so many months of being isolated,&#8221; said Petitt-Taylor. “It&#8217;s been very special.&#8221;

"It fills my cup every day when I hear how much it meant to people to be able to have this, that the kids could come out and still safely play after so many months of being isolated," said Petitt-Taylor. “It's been very special."

&#8220;It fills my cup every day when I hear how much it meant to people to be able to have this, that the kids could come out and still safely play after so many months of being isolated,&#8221; said Petitt-Taylor. “It&#8217;s been very special.&#8221;

<a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nathan Tan</a> | The Outer Sunset&#8217;s Graffiti Uncle

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nathan-tan-the-outer-sunset-s-graffiti-uncle"><a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nathan Tan</a> | The Outer Sunset&#8217;s Graffiti Uncle</h2>

<h2 id="h-nathan-tan-the-outer-sunset-s-graffiti-uncle"><a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nathan Tan</a> | The Outer Sunset's Graffiti Uncle</h2>

<h2 id="h-nathan-tan-the-outer-sunset-s-graffiti-uncle"><a href="http://www.nate1design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nathan Tan</a> | The Outer Sunset&#8217;s Graffiti Uncle</h2>

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s0b_8ERVLcfNXry7AyQkLeSsWvS5V5UXHL7C7PPIrWEgQXhPGt-3ZW3G4H6eB4FXxi4q9bZOjJPX6uZ-AGBRJH2LuFU-noU6LeGD_Gb19yjvcIQmnSppALM5JfQm0FY81rpimpMC" alt=""/><figcaption>Nate Tan of New Skool shows off his latest artwork. | Photo by Here/Say Media</figcaption></figure>

Before becoming a father and teacher, Nathan Tan was a native San Francisco kid obsessed with art and running around the city&#8217;s streets with a spray can. Tan has always had a love for San Francisco, which is why he chose to raise his family in the Outer Sunset.&nbsp;

Before becoming a father and teacher, Nathan Tan was a native San Francisco kid obsessed with art and running around the city's streets with a spray can. Tan has always had a love for San Francisco, which is why he chose to raise his family in the Outer Sunset.&nbsp;

Before becoming a father and teacher, Nathan Tan was a native San Francisco kid obsessed with art and running around the city&#8217;s streets with a spray can. Tan has always had a love for San Francisco, which is why he chose to raise his family in the Outer Sunset.&nbsp;

As a local artist, Tan&#8217;s work has been featured in gallery shows, commissioned for murals and can be found on canvases in people&#8217;s homes. He also has a fashion line called &#8220;<a href="https://www.shopnewskool.com/uncle-nates-creativity-time-kids-art-lessons/uncle-nates-creativity-time-1-12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Skool</a>,&#8221; which features his art on screen-printed kids and adult apparel.&nbsp;

As a local artist, Tan's work has been featured in gallery shows, commissioned for murals and can be found on canvases in people's homes. He also has a fashion line called "<a href="https://www.shopnewskool.com/uncle-nates-creativity-time-kids-art-lessons/uncle-nates-creativity-time-1-12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Skool</a>," which features his art on screen-printed kids and adult apparel.&nbsp;

As a local artist, Tan&#8217;s work has been featured in gallery shows, commissioned for murals and can be found on canvases in people&#8217;s homes. He also has a fashion line called &#8220;<a href="https://www.shopnewskool.com/uncle-nates-creativity-time-kids-art-lessons/uncle-nates-creativity-time-1-12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Skool</a>,&#8221; which features his art on screen-printed kids and adult apparel.&nbsp;

Tan told us that his art focuses on the evolution of San Francisco and is meant to make people feel nostalgic.&nbsp;

Tan told us that his art focuses on the evolution of San Francisco and is meant to make people feel nostalgic.&nbsp;

&#8220;I&#8217;ve seen the city change so much, and change is inevitable,&#8221; said Tan. &#8220;I feel like one purpose with my work is documenting San Francisco, whether it&#8217;s how it looks right now or how it used to look, and I like sharing that through my work.&#8221;&nbsp;

"I've seen the city change so much, and change is inevitable," said Tan. "I feel like one purpose with my work is documenting San Francisco, whether it's how it looks right now or how it used to look, and I like sharing that through my work."&nbsp;

&#8220;I&#8217;ve seen the city change so much, and change is inevitable,&#8221; said Tan. &#8220;I feel like one purpose with my work is documenting San Francisco, whether it&#8217;s how it looks right now or how it used to look, and I like sharing that through my work.&#8221;&nbsp;

Nate&#8217;s art features paintings like San Francisco&#8217;s classic Muni buses and downtown&#8217;s cityscape, minus the Salesforce building, which Tan told us was &#8220;intentional.&#8221;&nbsp;

Nate's art features paintings like San Francisco's classic Muni buses and downtown's cityscape, minus the Salesforce building, which Tan told us was "intentional."&nbsp;

Nate&#8217;s art features paintings like San Francisco&#8217;s classic Muni buses and downtown&#8217;s cityscape, minus the Salesforce building, which Tan told us was &#8220;intentional.&#8221;&nbsp;

&#8220;I&#8217;ve had art collectors tell me that my art reminds them of what it was like to be a kid in San Francisco,&#8221; said Tan. &#8220;If my art makes them feel anything, then I did my job.&#8221;

"I've had art collectors tell me that my art reminds them of what it was like to be a kid in San Francisco," said Tan. "If my art makes them feel anything, then I did my job."

&#8220;I&#8217;ve had art collectors tell me that my art reminds them of what it was like to be a kid in San Francisco,&#8221; said Tan. &#8220;If my art makes them feel anything, then I did my job.&#8221;

When the pandemic hit, Tan found a way to meld his love for San Francisco, family and art together by creating a studio in the basement of his home and teaching kids from ages five to 12 how to paint graffiti art.

When the pandemic hit, Tan found a way to meld his love for San Francisco, family and art together by creating a studio in the basement of his home and teaching kids from ages five to 12 how to paint graffiti art.

Tan&#8217;s online Zoom class dubbed &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ior8uq3vFQs">Uncle Nate&#8217;s Creativity Time</a>&#8221; was started to give kids who struggled mentally with the shelter-in-place order a creative outlet and opportunity to learn something new. What was only meant to be one class that he recorded on YouTube and posted on his Facebook became so popular that Tan now has twelve classes available online for kids to watch and learn from.

Tan's online Zoom class dubbed "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ior8uq3vFQs">Uncle Nate's Creativity Time</a>" was started to give kids who struggled mentally with the shelter-in-place order a creative outlet and opportunity to learn something new. What was only meant to be one class that he recorded on YouTube and posted on his Facebook became so popular that Tan now has twelve classes available online for kids to watch and learn from.

Tan&#8217;s online Zoom class dubbed &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ior8uq3vFQs">Uncle Nate&#8217;s Creativity Time</a>&#8221; was started to give kids who struggled mentally with the shelter-in-place order a creative outlet and opportunity to learn something new. What was only meant to be one class that he recorded on YouTube and posted on his Facebook became so popular that Tan now has twelve classes available online for kids to watch and learn from.

&#8220;It&#8217;s fun, and I relate to kids well because I am a father,” said Tan. “I also really like teaching, so this has been a cool way to bring all of that together.&#8221;

"It's fun, and I relate to kids well because I am a father,” said Tan. “I also really like teaching, so this has been a cool way to bring all of that together."

&#8220;It&#8217;s fun, and I relate to kids well because I am a father,” said Tan. “I also really like teaching, so this has been a cool way to bring all of that together.&#8221;

<a href="https://damnfineco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DamnFine Pizza</a> | Where Folks Go For a Damn Fine Time

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-damnfine-pizza-where-folks-go-for-a-damn-fine-time"><a href="https://damnfineco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DamnFine Pizza</a> | Where Folks Go For a Damn Fine Time</h2>

<h2 id="h-damnfine-pizza-where-folks-go-for-a-damn-fine-time"><a href="https://damnfineco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DamnFine Pizza</a> | Where Folks Go For a Damn Fine Time</h2>

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uefwyIzhwHdyGCFrhqJZNMKyvSZIo5mmcqx2GIOrMQaNN0V8uvx7S8gSqn8qG66m6aQS10Qyhlnp8eHCFjUrkx7BzdAtT2Y_aMwJvVZzYFcMJaxqxilkizjm6cU9XVnXZhwHqVyN" alt=""/><figcaption>Laura Seymour, the owner of DamnFine Pizza. | Photo by Here/Say Media&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>

Outer Sunset resident Laura Seymour has many talents—none of which are hidden. She&#8217;s a well-known stylist, interior designer and can brew a mean cup of coffee. Her latest discovered talent? The production of naturally fermented dough, a skill Seymour learned during the pandemic.&nbsp;

Outer Sunset resident Laura Seymour has many talents—none of which are hidden. She's a well-known stylist, interior designer and can brew a mean cup of coffee. Her latest discovered talent? The production of naturally fermented dough, a skill Seymour learned during the pandemic.&nbsp;

Outer Sunset resident Laura Seymour has many talents—none of which are hidden. She&#8217;s a well-known stylist, interior designer and can brew a mean cup of coffee. Her latest discovered talent? The production of naturally fermented dough, a skill Seymour learned during the pandemic.&nbsp;

It&#8217;s also the inspiration behind her new business DamnFine Pizza which made its pandemic debut last year and has become an Outer Sunset mainstay.&nbsp;

It's also the inspiration behind her new business DamnFine Pizza which made its pandemic debut last year and has become an Outer Sunset mainstay.&nbsp;

It&#8217;s also the inspiration behind her new business DamnFine Pizza which made its pandemic debut last year and has become an Outer Sunset mainstay.&nbsp;

DamnFine Pizza offers classic pies like pepperoni, margarita and vegetarian. Adventurous options like the &#8220;Living La Vida Verde&#8221; feature asparagus, spinach, garlic, mozzarella, provolone, pecorino, house-made green sauce and microgreens. DamnFine also features a wide selection of wines, two of which are on tap, coffee and desserts like “DamnFine Tiramisu.” In addition, Seymour told us that she plans to expand the menu to offer items like salads and pastas.

DamnFine Pizza offers classic pies like pepperoni, margarita and vegetarian. Adventurous options like the "Living La Vida Verde" feature asparagus, spinach, garlic, mozzarella, provolone, pecorino, house-made green sauce and microgreens. DamnFine also features a wide selection of wines, two of which are on tap, coffee and desserts like “DamnFine Tiramisu.” In addition, Seymour told us that she plans to expand the menu to offer items like salads and pastas.

DamnFine Pizza offers classic pies like pepperoni, margarita and vegetarian. Adventurous options like the &#8220;Living La Vida Verde&#8221; feature asparagus, spinach, garlic, mozzarella, provolone, pecorino, house-made green sauce and microgreens. DamnFine also features a wide selection of wines, two of which are on tap, coffee and desserts like “DamnFine Tiramisu.” In addition, Seymour told us that she plans to expand the menu to offer items like salads and pastas.

When Seymour first moved to the Outer Sunset ten years ago, she said that she was afraid she&#8217;d be bored out of her mind because there did not seem to be much of a food scene.&nbsp;

When Seymour first moved to the Outer Sunset ten years ago, she said that she was afraid she'd be bored out of her mind because there did not seem to be much of a food scene.&nbsp;

When Seymour first moved to the Outer Sunset ten years ago, she said that she was afraid she&#8217;d be bored out of her mind because there did not seem to be much of a food scene.&nbsp;

&#8220;I lived in the Mission, which was the place to be, before moving to the Outer Sunset. But it&#8217;s funny how things changed,&#8221; Seymour told us. &#8220;The Outer Sunset is a place where you can find a mixture of different people, old and young,&#8221; she added.

"I lived in the Mission, which was the place to be, before moving to the Outer Sunset. But it's funny how things changed," Seymour told us. "The Outer Sunset is a place where you can find a mixture of different people, old and young," she added.

&#8220;I lived in the Mission, which was the place to be, before moving to the Outer Sunset. But it&#8217;s funny how things changed,&#8221; Seymour told us. &#8220;The Outer Sunset is a place where you can find a mixture of different people, old and young,&#8221; she added.

And while business has been steady, there was a time when the pandemic felt dark for Seymour. &#8220;It was the unknowingness of starting a business, but it&#8217;s a perfect lesson on how to stay cool when bad things happen that are out of control, like a pandemic,&#8221; she said.&nbsp;

And while business has been steady, there was a time when the pandemic felt dark for Seymour. "It was the unknowingness of starting a business, but it's a perfect lesson on how to stay cool when bad things happen that are out of control, like a pandemic," she said.&nbsp;

And while business has been steady, there was a time when the pandemic felt dark for Seymour. &#8220;It was the unknowingness of starting a business, but it&#8217;s a perfect lesson on how to stay cool when bad things happen that are out of control, like a pandemic,&#8221; she said.&nbsp;

Despite the uncertainty that the pandemic brought, Seymour is determined to make DamnFine Pizza an anchor business in the Outer Sunset by bringing something new into the neighborhood that she felt was needed.&nbsp;

Despite the uncertainty that the pandemic brought, Seymour is determined to make DamnFine Pizza an anchor business in the Outer Sunset by bringing something new into the neighborhood that she felt was needed.&nbsp;

&#8220;We need casual spots for dinner, date nights or even a place where you can have a glass of wine with your girlfriends and complain about work or whatever,” she said.&nbsp; &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to do business anywhere else.&#8221;

"We need casual spots for dinner, date nights or even a place where you can have a glass of wine with your girlfriends and complain about work or whatever,” she said.&nbsp; "I don't want to do business anywhere else."

&#8220;We need casual spots for dinner, date nights or even a place where you can have a glass of wine with your girlfriends and complain about work or whatever,” she said.&nbsp; &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to do business anywhere else.&#8221;

When the Lights Come Up in the City: Innovative Outer Sunset

Josh Koehn

Of all the hysteria to arise in San Francisco during the pandemic, perhaps the most on-brand controversy for a city so insular and hyperbolic concerns a 1.5-mile stretch of asphalt.

Of all the hysteria to arise in San Francisco during the pandemic, perhaps the most on-brand controversy for a city so insular and hyperbolic concerns a 1.5-mile stretch of asphalt.

The fight over whether John F. Kennedy Drive—the road that traverses Golden Gate Park—should remain car-free has led to accusations of shadow lobbying, financial shell games, ageism, ableism, cronyism, elitism and racism. And many of them are legitimate.

The fight over whether John F. Kennedy Drive—the road that traverses Golden Gate Park—should remain car-free has led to accusations of shadow lobbying, financial shell games, ageism, ableism, cronyism, elitism and racism. And many of them are legitimate.

The emotional and expensive battle, now at more than a quarter-million dollars in total spending, is hardly over: A final decision by the city’s Board of Supervisors is likely still weeks away. But the war entered a new phase Tuesday when Supervisor Connie Chan, whose vote is crucial because she&nbsp; represents the district where Golden Gate Park is located, weighed in with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/transportation/chan-proposes-cars-back-on-jfk-drive-heading-east-only/">a plan to reopen the road to cars</a> after spending months confusing everyone about where she stood on the issue.&nbsp;

The emotional and expensive battle, now at more than a quarter-million dollars in total spending, is hardly over: A final decision by the city’s Board of Supervisors is likely still weeks away. But the war entered a new phase Tuesday when Supervisor Connie Chan, whose vote is crucial because she&nbsp; represents the district where Golden Gate Park is located, weighed in with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/transportation/chan-proposes-cars-back-on-jfk-drive-heading-east-only/">a plan to reopen the road to cars</a> after spending months confusing everyone about where she stood on the issue.&nbsp;

If her proposal or something like it ultimately carries the day, Chan and other pro-car politicians, including board President Shamann Walton, will undoubtedly cast it as a victory for equity—keeping the park’s majestic green spaces accessible to seniors, the disabled and people of color from the east side of the city.

If her proposal or something like it ultimately carries the day, Chan and other pro-car politicians, including board President Shamann Walton, will undoubtedly cast it as a victory for equity—keeping the park’s majestic green spaces accessible to seniors, the disabled and people of color from the east side of the city.

But the expensive lobbying campaign to prevent JFK Drive’s permanent conversion into a space for walking, biking, skating and letting children play has little to do with these concerns.&nbsp;

But the expensive lobbying campaign to prevent JFK Drive’s permanent conversion into a space for walking, biking, skating and letting children play has little to do with these concerns.&nbsp;

Rather, the debate is being influenced by one of the city’s most powerful lobbying firms, which is being paid by San Francisco’s wealthiest and most politically influential cultural institution: the Fine Arts Museums. The city agency partners with a tightly affiliated non-profit called The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums (COFAM) to run the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor.&nbsp;

Rather, the debate is being influenced by one of the city’s most powerful lobbying firms, which is being paid by San Francisco’s wealthiest and most politically influential cultural institution: the Fine Arts Museums. The city agency partners with a tightly affiliated non-profit called The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums (COFAM) to run the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor.&nbsp;

For the de Young, which lost millions in admissions revenue during the pandemic and is still seeing less than half its pre-Covid attendance, the closure of JFK Drive—and the loss of about 300 free parking spaces along the street—is seen as an existential threat.&nbsp;

For the de Young, which lost millions in admissions revenue during the pandemic and is still seeing less than half its pre-Covid attendance, the closure of JFK Drive—and the loss of about 300 free parking spaces along the street—is seen as an existential threat.&nbsp;

On a recent tour of the museum, Helena Nordström, the spokesperson for the Fine Arts Museums agency but an employee of COFAM, told The Standard that officials are “incredibly desperate” to see JFK Drive reopened.&nbsp;

On a recent tour of the museum, Helena Nordström, the spokesperson for the Fine Arts Museums agency but an employee of COFAM, told The Standard that officials are “incredibly desperate” to see JFK Drive reopened.&nbsp;

Museum officials are adamant—although they have no definitive proof—that the loss of the parking spaces along JFK Drive is the most likely reason visitor attendance has not recovered. An 800-plus-space parking garage that&#8217;s supposed to serve the museum routinely sits empty because it charges too much, they say, and for convoluted, only-in-San Francisco reasons, cutting the price is not an option.

Museum officials are adamant—although they have no definitive proof—that the loss of the parking spaces along JFK Drive is the most likely reason visitor attendance has not recovered. An 800-plus-space parking garage that's supposed to serve the museum routinely sits empty because it charges too much, they say, and for convoluted, only-in-San Francisco reasons, cutting the price is not an option.

Museum officials are adamant—although they have no definitive proof—that the loss of the parking spaces along JFK Drive is the most likely reason visitor attendance has not recovered. An 800-plus-space parking garage that&#8217;s supposed to serve the museum routinely sits empty because it charges too much, they say, and for convoluted, only-in-San Francisco reasons, cutting the price is not an option.

Seeing no other avenues, museum officials launched an intense lobbying blitz on JFK Drive early last year. And they might yet prevail.&nbsp;

Seeing no other avenues, museum officials launched an intense lobbying blitz on JFK Drive early last year. And they might yet prevail.&nbsp;

Accusations of ‘Recreational Redlining’

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accusations-of-recreational-redlining">Accusations of ‘Recreational Redlining’</h2>

<h2 id="h-accusations-of-recreational-redlining">Accusations of ‘Recreational Redlining’</h2>

It was just four days after the de Young began fully welcoming back guests on March 6, 2021, that the museum’s pressure campaign began in earnest.&nbsp;

It was just four days after the de Young began fully welcoming back guests on March 6, 2021, that the museum’s pressure campaign began in earnest.&nbsp;

Platinum Advisors, a powerful national lobbying firm whose deep local connections date back to Willie Brown’s time as mayor, started going to work on Supervisor Chan. The lobbyists contacted her four times over the next two weeks, according to disclosures required by the city’s Ethics Commission.

Platinum Advisors, a powerful national lobbying firm whose deep local connections date back to Willie Brown’s time as mayor, started going to work on Supervisor Chan. The lobbyists contacted her four times over the next two weeks, according to disclosures required by the city’s Ethics Commission.

Supervisors Connie Chan, Hillary Ronen and Shamann Walton listen to Mayor London Breed’s State of the City address on March 9, 2022. Platinum Advisors targeted Chan and Walton most frequently. | Camille Cohen

Supervisors Connie Chan, Hillary Ronen and Shamann Walton listen to Mayor London Breed’s State of the City address on March 9, 2022. Platinum Advisors targeted Chan and Walton most frequently. | Camille Cohen

On March 23, Platinum lobbyist Ryan Blake reached out to Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton. And that same day, Ike Kwon, the chief operating officer for the California Academy of Sciences, met with Supervisor Ahsha Safai about JFK Drive.&nbsp;

On March 23, Platinum lobbyist Ryan Blake reached out to Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton. And that same day, Ike Kwon, the chief operating officer for the California Academy of Sciences, met with Supervisor Ahsha Safai about JFK Drive.&nbsp;

Two days later, Kwon shared an internal memo with Safai that included the phrase “recreational redlining,” a term equating the lack of parking from JFK Drive’s closure to the racist U.S. government housing policies of the mid-1950s that made it much harder for Black people to buy homes.

Two days later, Kwon shared an internal memo with Safai that included the phrase “recreational redlining,” a term equating the lack of parking from JFK Drive’s closure to the racist U.S. government housing policies of the mid-1950s that made it much harder for Black people to buy homes.

That same day, Safai and Walton both sent out tweets calling for the reopening of JFK Drive.&nbsp;

That same day, Safai and Walton both sent out tweets calling for the reopening of JFK Drive.&nbsp;

core/embed

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/shamannwalton/status/1374428465202487296?s=20&amp;t=MBQUtoD0r54LXThfQbF3MQ
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">So excited to be in the orange tier and have businesses, gyms and other activities opening back up. I am now wondering when Bayview folks, Mission folks and Black and Brown people, can have access to JFK Drive in Golden Gate park again.&mdash; Shamann Walton (@shamannwalton) <a href="https://twitter.com/shamannwalton/status/1374428465202487296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We were laughing about it afterwards because people were wondering if we had coordinated about it anyway, but we did not,” Safai told The Standard, adding that “recreational redlining” was a term he was not familiar with until hearing Walton use it. “That was a message he was really running with and presenting.”

“We were laughing about it afterwards because people were wondering if we had coordinated about it anyway, but we did not,” Safai told The Standard, adding that “recreational redlining” was a term he was not familiar with until hearing Walton use it. “That was a message he was really running with and presenting.”

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/Ahsha_Safai/status/1374436896894373899?s=20&amp;t=k1rFT2hgGUWY6DKIRcWnHA
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Open up JFK drive. Residents of the Excelsior, OMI, Outer Mission, Bayview and all neighbors of the Southern portion of the City need to have access to the park as well. Closing JFK takes away access to GGP attractions for many SF families and many communities of color.&mdash; Ahsha Safai 安世輝 (@Ahsha_Safai) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahsha_Safai/status/1374436896894373899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Safai said his main concern is “working with families, seniors and disabled, forcing people to think about access for all.”

Safai said his main concern is “working with families, seniors and disabled, forcing people to think about access for all.”

Two days after the tweets, on March 28, a column by Walton in the <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/closing-jfk-drive-is-recreational-redlining/">San Francisco Examiner</a> called for re-opening the road and slammed the closure as “elitist, ableist and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/transportation/supervisor-walton-car-free-jfk-golden-gate-park-segregationist/">segregationist</a>.”

Two days after the tweets, on March 28, a column by Walton in the <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/closing-jfk-drive-is-recreational-redlining/">San Francisco Examiner</a> called for re-opening the road and slammed the closure as “elitist, ableist and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/transportation/supervisor-walton-car-free-jfk-golden-gate-park-segregationist/">segregationist</a>.”

“The lack of transparency and backdoor conversations to close JFK Drive without adequate community input from all San Francisco communities is unacceptable,” Walton wrote. He also used the term “recreational redlining,” which a Google search suggests is a term that had never previously graced the internet.

“The lack of transparency and backdoor conversations to close JFK Drive without adequate community input from all San Francisco communities is unacceptable,” Walton wrote. He also used the term “recreational redlining,” which a Google search suggests is a term that had never previously graced the internet.

Walton and Platinum Advisors did not respond to The Standard’s requests for comment.

Walton and Platinum Advisors did not respond to The Standard’s requests for comment.

In a phone interview, Kwon said his memo was more about raising awareness amongst the supervisors, and the Academy, which is located in the park just south of de Young, is not necessarily opposed to keeping the road permanently car-free.

In a phone interview, Kwon said his memo was more about raising awareness amongst the supervisors, and the Academy, which is located in the park just south of de Young, is not necessarily opposed to keeping the road permanently car-free.

Regardless of the origins of the term “recreational redlining,” Walton’s incendiary column prompted a fierce backlash from car-free proponents.&nbsp;

Regardless of the origins of the term “recreational redlining,” Walton’s incendiary column prompted a fierce backlash from car-free proponents.&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parents-take-charge">Parents Take Charge&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 id="h-parents-take-charge">Parents Take Charge&nbsp;</h2>

A seemingly overmatched adversary, especially for one of the city’s savviest institutional operators, led the charge: a non-profit called Kid Safe SF, formed just weeks after Walton’s column appeared.

A seemingly overmatched adversary, especially for one of the city’s savviest institutional operators, led the charge: a non-profit called Kid Safe SF, formed just weeks after Walton’s column appeared.

The group bills itself as an advocacy organization made up of tech-savvy parents, dog walkers, environmentalists, cyclists and roller skaters.&nbsp;

The group bills itself as an advocacy organization made up of tech-savvy parents, dog walkers, environmentalists, cyclists and roller skaters.&nbsp;

Volunteers with Kid Safe SF speak to passersby on JFK Drive on March 5, 2022. | Sophie Bearman

Volunteers with Kid Safe SF speak to passersby on JFK Drive on March 5, 2022. | Sophie Bearman

“Kid Safe didn’t exist in the spring of last year, but then we [made a public records request for] some documents, and we found [museums officials] were advocating all of the supervisors to put cars back on JFK,” said Matt Brezina, an organizer with Kid Safe SF and a safe streets advocate in the city since 2016.&nbsp;

“Kid Safe didn’t exist in the spring of last year, but then we [made a public records request for] some documents, and we found [museums officials] were advocating all of the supervisors to put cars back on JFK,” said Matt Brezina, an organizer with Kid Safe SF and a safe streets advocate in the city since 2016.&nbsp;

“We basically looked around, a bunch of parents, and were like, ‘We can’t let this happen. This is about our kids’ safety.’ If we don’t defend this space, one of the best things that ever happened for our children is going to disappear.”

“We basically looked around, a bunch of parents, and were like, ‘We can’t let this happen. This is about our kids’ safety.’ If we don’t defend this space, one of the best things that ever happened for our children is going to disappear.”

The group moved fast, dropping more than $136,000 in April and May on advertising that championed JFK Drive’s closure as a win for children, safe streets and the environment.

The group moved fast, dropping more than $136,000 in April and May on advertising that championed JFK Drive’s closure as a win for children, safe streets and the environment.

IRS rules do not require nonprofits like Kid Safe SF to disclose their donors, but organizers say the money for the ads came strictly from individuals and families. Brezina said the group mostly partnered with New York-based Hooligan Media to produce Facebook ads.

IRS rules do not require nonprofits like Kid Safe SF to disclose their donors, but organizers say the money for the ads came strictly from individuals and families. Brezina said the group mostly partnered with New York-based Hooligan Media to produce Facebook ads.

“We’re just a bunch of very tired parents,” he said. “We have no paid lobbyists. They’re paying all their money on suits—high-priced lobbyists.”

“We’re just a bunch of very tired parents,” he said. “We have no paid lobbyists. They’re paying all their money on suits—high-priced lobbyists.”

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-car-free-plan-gains-support">Car-free Plan Gains Support&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 id="h-car-free-plan-gains-support">Car-free Plan Gains Support&nbsp;</h2>

The Kid Safe campaign seemed to work. By the fall, a city survey conducted from September to November by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Recreation and Parks Department, showed that public opinion had swung strongly to Kid Safe SF’s side. Roughly <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/1579/Outreach-and-Analysis">70% of respondents</a> said they approved of the JFK Drive’s closure.

The Kid Safe campaign seemed to work. By the fall, a city survey conducted from September to November by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Recreation and Parks Department, showed that public opinion had swung strongly to Kid Safe SF’s side. Roughly <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/1579/Outreach-and-Analysis">70% of respondents</a> said they approved of the JFK Drive’s closure.

But the museums, and Platinum Advisors, weren’t done.

But the museums, and Platinum Advisors, weren’t done.

Around the time polling was being completed, COFAM went on its own&nbsp;spending spree, rolling out a new lobbying campaign called Park Access 4 All, with its own webpage and ads being blasted out across a variety of platforms. COFAM has spent roughly $133,000 since October to lobby city officials and blast out political ads.

Around the time polling was being completed, COFAM went on its own&nbsp;spending spree, rolling out a new lobbying campaign called Park Access 4 All, with its own webpage and ads being blasted out across a variety of platforms. COFAM has spent roughly $133,000 since October to lobby city officials and blast out political ads.

The campaign has focused on how JFK Drive’s closure has impacted seniors, the disabled and public safety. The ads feature a man in a wheelchair who wants closer access to the museums’ entrance, a retired firefighter who worries that crews will be slowed by the road’s closure and a woman who fears for her safety while walking in the park at night.&nbsp;

The campaign has focused on how JFK Drive’s closure has impacted seniors, the disabled and public safety. The ads feature a man in a wheelchair who wants closer access to the museums’ entrance, a retired firefighter who worries that crews will be slowed by the road’s closure and a woman who fears for her safety while walking in the park at night.&nbsp;

Pacific Heights resident Carol Brownson, 80, rides down JFK Drive on her electric mobility scooter, nicknamed &#8220;Little Rascal,&#8221; on Dec. 19, 2021. | Ekevara Kitpowsong

Pacific Heights resident Carol Brownson, 80, rides down JFK Drive on her electric mobility scooter, nicknamed "Little Rascal," on Dec. 19, 2021. | Ekevara Kitpowsong

Pacific Heights resident Carol Brownson, 80, rides down JFK Drive on her electric mobility scooter, nicknamed &#8220;Little Rascal,&#8221; on Dec. 19, 2021. | Ekevara Kitpowsong

A list of supporting organizations mostly includes neighborhood associations, a group for people with learning disabilities and the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District in the Mission.&nbsp;

A list of supporting organizations mostly includes neighborhood associations, a group for people with learning disabilities and the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District in the Mission.&nbsp;

It’s unclear who exactly runs Park Access 4 All and how it is funded, but the group is sponsored by COFAM. Ads have mostly targeted Facebook users or visitors to the San Francisco Chronicle’s website. The total money spent on these ads is unknown, but more than $24,000 has gone toward <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&amp;ad_type=political_and_issue_ads&amp;country=US&amp;view_all_page_id=101841635756593&amp;sort_data[direction]=desc&amp;sort_data[mode]=relevancy_monthly_grouped&amp;search_type=page&amp;media_type=all">sponsored Facebook posts</a>.

It’s unclear who exactly runs Park Access 4 All and how it is funded, but the group is sponsored by COFAM. Ads have mostly targeted Facebook users or visitors to the San Francisco Chronicle’s website. The total money spent on these ads is unknown, but more than $24,000 has gone toward <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&amp;ad_type=political_and_issue_ads&amp;country=US&amp;view_all_page_id=101841635756593&amp;sort_data[direction]=desc&amp;sort_data[mode]=relevancy_monthly_grouped&amp;search_type=page&amp;media_type=all">sponsored Facebook posts</a>.

Together, the two sides have spent more than a quarter-million dollars to lobby city officials and influence the public, according to public records.

Together, the two sides have spent more than a quarter-million dollars to lobby city officials and influence the public, according to public records.

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