Alex Mullaney

San Francisco is trying to get ahead of the traffic that will be caused when world leaders descend on Downtown in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

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San Francisco is trying to get ahead of the traffic that will be caused when world leaders descend on Downtown in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is advancing plans for a two-block transit-only lane on Hyde Street north of Market Street near City Hall and United Nations Plaza. The plan is drawn from the <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/projects/hyde-street-quick-build" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hyde Street Quick-Build Project</a>, which aims to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians while speeding up public transit on the eight blocks between Market Street and Geary Boulevard.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is advancing plans for a two-block transit-only lane on Hyde Street north of Market Street near City Hall and United Nations Plaza. The plan is drawn from the <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/projects/hyde-street-quick-build" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hyde Street Quick-Build Project</a>, which aims to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians while speeding up public transit on the eight blocks between Market Street and Geary Boulevard.

Nearly two dozen heads of state, including President Joe Biden, plus 1,000 CEOs and hundreds of foreign media representatives are expected to attend the summit Nov. 12-18, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/15/apec-pressure-builds-san-francisco-still-short-of-20-million-fundraising-goal/">putting the eyes of the world on San Francisco</a>. A number of local policymakers are worried the city <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/13/apec-is-coming-to-san-francisco-heres-what-we-know-so-far/">isn’t prepared for the scrutiny</a> that hosting the sustainability-themed summit and related events, including a CEO conference, will entail.

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Nearly two dozen heads of state, including President Joe Biden, plus 1,000 CEOs and hundreds of foreign media representatives are expected to attend the summit Nov. 12-18, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/15/apec-pressure-builds-san-francisco-still-short-of-20-million-fundraising-goal/">putting the eyes of the world on San Francisco</a>. A number of local policymakers are worried the city <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/13/apec-is-coming-to-san-francisco-heres-what-we-know-so-far/">isn’t prepared for the scrutiny</a> that hosting the sustainability-themed summit and related events, including a CEO conference, will entail.

“Currently, travel speeds (on Hyde) are under 5 mph in peak periods from McAllister to Market, where the speed limit is 20 miles per hour,” SMFTA spokesperson Stephen Chun said, adding that the agency aims to finish the project before APEC. “We estimate that delays would decrease by about 20% based on preliminary data and our experience with transit lanes elsewhere in the city.”

“Currently, travel speeds (on Hyde) are under 5 mph in peak periods from McAllister to Market, where the speed limit is 20 miles per hour,” SMFTA spokesperson Stephen Chun said, adding that the agency aims to finish the project before APEC. “We estimate that delays would decrease by about 20% based on preliminary data and our experience with transit lanes elsewhere in the city.”

APEC events are expected to be concentrated more than a mile away at Moscone Center. However, several receptions—including a catered event for the foreign press—are planned for at City Hall. The Asian Art Museum, which is on Larkin Street, just west of Hyde and south of McAllister, may also host events.

APEC events are expected to be concentrated more than a mile away at Moscone Center. However, several receptions—including a catered event for the foreign press—are planned for at City Hall. The Asian Art Museum, which is on Larkin Street, just west of Hyde and south of McAllister, may also host events.

Hyde Street between Market and McAllister is currently three lanes, with parking on both sides. The westernmost lane would be converted to a transit-only lane and four parking spaces between Grove and Fulton streets would be eliminated.

Hyde Street between Market and McAllister is currently three lanes, with parking on both sides. The westernmost lane would be converted to a transit-only lane and four parking spaces between Grove and Fulton streets would be eliminated.

During an SFMTA engineering hearing Friday, members of the public called in to express concerns and ask questions about the project.

During an SFMTA engineering hearing Friday, members of the public called in to express concerns and ask questions about the project.

Cars and pedestrians move down Hyde Street, in San Francisco on Friday, August 18, 2023. The city is pushing fro a transit-only lane in preparation for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 in November, causing complaints from the Orpheum Theater.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HydeTransitLane08172023_05.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-193098"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cars and pedestrians move down Hyde Street in San Francisco on Friday.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HydeTransitLane08172023_05.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-193098"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cars and pedestrians move down Hyde Street in San Francisco on Friday.</figcaption></figure>

Eric Rozell spoke on behalf of the Tenderloin Traffic Safety Task Force. He said any further parking removal would be detrimental to the U.N. Plaza farmers’ market, which is soon to be relocated across the street to Fulton Plaza. Vendors have already voiced concern about more limited load-out space and parking in the new location.

Eric Rozell spoke on behalf of the Tenderloin Traffic Safety Task Force. He said any further parking removal would be detrimental to the U.N. Plaza farmers’ market, which is soon to be relocated across the street to Fulton Plaza. Vendors have already voiced concern about more limited load-out space and parking in the new location.

“We would also really like to see this transit project work [done] simultaneously with the entirety of the Hyde Street Quick-Build rather than being split up,” Rozell said.

“We would also really like to see this transit project work [done] simultaneously with the entirety of the Hyde Street Quick-Build rather than being split up,” Rozell said.

Mark Gleason, representing the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees <a href="https://www.local16.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Local 16</a> who work at the Orpheum Theatre at Hyde and Market, said the side door for the stage is very active and the increased traffic on the east side of Hyde Street would make it “nearly impossible” for stagehands to bring in props and other freight.

Mark Gleason, representing the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees <a href="https://www.local16.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Local 16</a> who work at the Orpheum Theatre at Hyde and Market, said the side door for the stage is very active and the increased traffic on the east side of Hyde Street would make it “nearly impossible” for stagehands to bring in props and other freight.

“I, and others supporting the stagehands, are asking for some other use for that lane other than traffic because it would be very difficult for people to perform their work at the Orpheum,” Gleason said.

“I, and others supporting the stagehands, are asking for some other use for that lane other than traffic because it would be very difficult for people to perform their work at the Orpheum,” Gleason said.

Vincent Maguire, who manages the stage crew at the Orpheum and has worked there for 43 years, said the theater gets permits to use both sides of Hyde Street for loading and unloading 53-foot trailers. Moreover, on Sundays, the theater competes with the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/16/san-francisco-united-nations-plaza-farmers-market/">Heart of the City farmers’ market</a> for loading space.

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Vincent Maguire, who manages the stage crew at the Orpheum and has worked there for 43 years, said the theater gets permits to use both sides of Hyde Street for loading and unloading 53-foot trailers. Moreover, on Sundays, the theater competes with the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/16/san-francisco-united-nations-plaza-farmers-market/">Heart of the City farmers’ market</a> for loading space.

“Loading in shows like Lion King, which has over 16 trucks and will be here this holiday season, and not having a loading dock already kills us,” Maguire said. “If we can&#8217;t get a show in and out of the door on time, producers will question the validity and costs of booking the theater—and they can save time and money by taking their shows to San Jose.”

“Loading in shows like Lion King, which has over 16 trucks and will be here this holiday season, and not having a loading dock already kills us,” Maguire said. “If we can't get a show in and out of the door on time, producers will question the validity and costs of booking the theater—and they can save time and money by taking their shows to San Jose.”

“Loading in shows like Lion King, which has over 16 trucks and will be here this holiday season, and not having a loading dock already kills us,” Maguire said. “If we can&#8217;t get a show in and out of the door on time, producers will question the validity and costs of booking the theater—and they can save time and money by taking their shows to San Jose.”

SFMTA Project Manager Jessica Kuo said she spoke to representatives for the Orpheum and Heart of the City Farmers’ Market about their loading and parking needs, adding that the city is committed to finding solutions.

SFMTA Project Manager Jessica Kuo said she spoke to representatives for the Orpheum and Heart of the City Farmers’ Market about their loading and parking needs, adding that the city is committed to finding solutions.

The buses that would use the lanes include the 19 Polk, 27 Bryant and 21 Hayes as well as three Golden Gate Transit lines.

The buses that would use the lanes include the 19 Polk, 27 Bryant and 21 Hayes as well as three Golden Gate Transit lines.

There were 146 collisions in the eight-block project area between 2017 and 2022; 10 resulted in severe injuries and one was fatal, according to the transportation agency.

There were 146 collisions in the eight-block project area between 2017 and 2022; 10 resulted in severe injuries and one was fatal, according to the transportation agency.

The transit-only lane proposal now goes to the SFMTA’s Board of Directors for final approval.

The transit-only lane proposal now goes to the SFMTA’s Board of Directors for final approval.

San Francisco advances transit-only lane to curb traffic ahead of APEC summit

Michael McLaughlin

George Kelly

Bay Area transit agencies lost out on approximately $658,000 in fares when the Clipper card system malfunctioned last week, forcing BART and Muni to allow passengers to ride for free, according to officials.&nbsp;

Bay Area transit agencies lost out on approximately $658,000 in fares when the Clipper card system malfunctioned last week, forcing BART and Muni to allow passengers to ride for free, according to officials.&nbsp;

BART is out about $380,000, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which administers the Clipper card. Muni lost roughly $55,000, the MTC said. Other agencies lost smaller amounts:

BART is out about $380,000, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which administers the Clipper card. Muni lost roughly $55,000, the MTC said. Other agencies lost smaller amounts:

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Caltrain: $43,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>AC Transit: $22,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Golden Gate Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>SF Bay Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Golden Gate Transit: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>SamTrans: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>VTA: $10,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Caltrain: $43,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<li>Caltrain: $43,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

AC Transit: $22,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<li>AC Transit: $22,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

Golden Gate Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<li>Golden Gate Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

SF Bay Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<li>SF Bay Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

Golden Gate Transit: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<li>Golden Gate Transit: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

SamTrans: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<li>SamTrans: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

VTA: $10,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

core/list

<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Caltrain: $43,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>AC Transit: $22,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Golden Gate Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>SF Bay Ferry: $18,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Golden Gate Transit: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>SamTrans: $11,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>VTA: $10,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Additionally, the MTC says a total of $15,600 in amounts of $5,000 or less is owed to regional agencies that include SMART trains in the North Bay and several bus services in the North Bay and East Bay.

Additionally, the MTC says a total of $15,600 in amounts of $5,000 or less is owed to regional agencies that include SMART trains in the North Bay and several bus services in the North Bay and East Bay.

Transit officials were initially baffled as to why <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/01/clipper-card-outage-free-muni-bart/">Clipper cards suddenly did not work</a> at the start of service July 1. Gates at BART and Muni stations were wide open to incredulous riders until about midday, when the problem was resolved.

Clipper card outage: System restored after chaotic day

Transit officials were initially baffled as to why <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/01/clipper-card-outage-free-muni-bart/">Clipper cards suddenly did not work</a> at the start of service July 1. Gates at BART and Muni stations were wide open to incredulous riders until about midday, when the problem was resolved.

Now the officials have named a culprit, and it’s evoking Y2K vibes. Clipper cards failed because of an incorrectly programmed calendar, Andrew Fremier, the MTC’s executive director, told the board Thursday. The flaw was uncovered by Cubic, the transportation company that operates Clipper with the MTC.

Now the officials have named a culprit, and it’s evoking Y2K vibes. Clipper cards failed because of an incorrectly programmed calendar, Andrew Fremier, the MTC’s executive director, told the board Thursday. The flaw was uncovered by Cubic, the transportation company that operates Clipper with the MTC.

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“Cubic&#8217;s investigation uncovered that several years ago, a calendar file integrated into the legacy Clipper system was programmed to expire on June 30, 2025, and had not been updated to the new contract extension date for the legacy system of 2026,” Fremier told the MTC commissioners. “When the calendar expired at the end of the day on June 30, 2025, the Clipper card readers were unable to validate the correct fare on July 1, 2025.”

“Cubic's investigation uncovered that several years ago, a calendar file integrated into the legacy Clipper system was programmed to expire on June 30, 2025, and had not been updated to the new contract extension date for the legacy system of 2026,” Fremier told the MTC commissioners. “When the calendar expired at the end of the day on June 30, 2025, the Clipper card readers were unable to validate the correct fare on July 1, 2025.”

“Cubic&#8217;s investigation uncovered that several years ago, a calendar file integrated into the legacy Clipper system was programmed to expire on June 30, 2025, and had not been updated to the new contract extension date for the legacy system of 2026,” Fremier told the MTC commissioners. “When the calendar expired at the end of the day on June 30, 2025, the Clipper card readers were unable to validate the correct fare on July 1, 2025.”

The transit agencies, many of which are under extreme <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/04/24/sfmta-san-francisco-transportation-agency-layoffs-budget/">budget pressures</a>, will be reimbursed, possibly by Cubic, but the details are still being ironed out.

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The transit agencies, many of which are under extreme <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/04/24/sfmta-san-francisco-transportation-agency-layoffs-budget/">budget pressures</a>, will be reimbursed, possibly by Cubic, but the details are still being ironed out.

BART recorded 103,379 paid trips the day of the outage, down from 198,549 the previous Tuesday. Data shows that Tuesday is the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/25/its-not-just-you-bart-sucks-on-tuesdays-now/">busiest day of the week</a> on BART.

It’s not just you — BART sucks on Tuesdays now

BART recorded 103,379 paid trips the day of the outage, down from 198,549 the previous Tuesday. Data shows that Tuesday is the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/25/its-not-just-you-bart-sucks-on-tuesdays-now/">busiest day of the week</a> on BART.

Clipper suffered another outage Tuesday that was narrower in scope. Customers using Google Pay and Apple Pay were <a href="https://x.com/SFMTA_Muni/status/1942762429756367221">unable to add money</a> to their Clipper cards, but the problem was fixed in an hour.&nbsp;

Clipper suffered another outage Tuesday that was narrower in scope. Customers using Google Pay and Apple Pay were <a href="https://x.com/SFMTA_Muni/status/1942762429756367221">unable to add money</a> to their Clipper cards, but the problem was fixed in an hour.&nbsp;

An <a href="https://www.futureofclipper.com/">improved version</a> of Clipper was due to be released in 2024 but was <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-clipper-cards-transit-19470356.php">indefinitely delayed</a>. An MTC spokesperson told The Standard it is expected to be released by year’s end.

An <a href="https://www.futureofclipper.com/">improved version</a> of Clipper was due to be released in 2024 but was <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-clipper-cards-transit-19470356.php">indefinitely delayed</a>. An MTC spokesperson told The Standard it is expected to be released by year’s end.

Clipper card glitch cost cash-strapped transit agencies $650K in one day

Jillian D’Onfro

Change is brewing at iconic San Francisco coffee roaster Sightglass: Fifteen years after they founded the company as a coffee cart in SoMa, brothers Justin and Jerad Morrison have departed, handing over the reins to a new chief executive who previously worked at Starbucks.

Change is brewing at iconic San Francisco coffee roaster Sightglass: Fifteen years after they founded the company as a coffee cart in SoMa, brothers Justin and Jerad Morrison have departed, handing over the reins to a new chief executive who previously worked at Starbucks.

With this transition, Sightglass becomes the latest local third-wave coffee business to relinquish its original leadership after raising millions in venture capital funding, following in the footsteps of Blue Bottle and Philz.&nbsp;

With this transition, Sightglass becomes the latest local third-wave coffee business to relinquish its original leadership after raising millions in venture capital funding, following in the footsteps of Blue Bottle and Philz.&nbsp;

The company signaled the shift with a little-noticed LinkedIn post in April. The post, which was <a href="https://sprudge.com/founding-bros-step-down-from-sightglass-new-ceo-from-starbucks-appointed-239610.html">first reported by Sprudge</a>, said the Morrison brothers have “stepped down from the business to pursue other endeavors,” while retail veteran Sharon Healy has taken the helm as CEO to “lead Sightglass into its next phase of growth.”

The company signaled the shift with a little-noticed LinkedIn post in April. The post, which was <a href="https://sprudge.com/founding-bros-step-down-from-sightglass-new-ceo-from-starbucks-appointed-239610.html">first reported by Sprudge</a>, said the Morrison brothers have “stepped down from the business to pursue other endeavors,” while retail veteran Sharon Healy has taken the helm as CEO to “lead Sightglass into its next phase of growth.”

Healy, who <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-healy-58703210/">worked at Starbucks for nearly a decade</a> and was most recently a vice president at organic food company Urban Remedy, started at Sightglass in January, per the announcement. Former Sightglass CEO Patricia King <a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/patricia-king-obituary?id=52701526">died in late 2023</a>. Neither of the Morrisons responded to the Standard’s request for comment, nor did a Sightglass representative.&nbsp;

Healy, who <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-healy-58703210/">worked at Starbucks for nearly a decade</a> and was most recently a vice president at organic food company Urban Remedy, started at Sightglass in January, per the announcement. Former Sightglass CEO Patricia King <a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/patricia-king-obituary?id=52701526">died in late 2023</a>. Neither of the Morrisons responded to the Standard’s request for comment, nor did a Sightglass representative.&nbsp;

Launched in 2009 with a “<a href="https://sightglasscoffee.com/pages/our-company">rickety service cart</a>” in SoMa, Sightglass aimed to “elevate what coffee is,”  with a roasting style where “the caffeine stays more present,” according to a <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/sightglass-coffee-s-f-roasters-small-but-strong-2323307.php">2011 interview Jerad Morrison</a> gave to the Chronicle. It has since expanded to three locations in San Francisco, as well as a full restaurant in Los Angeles that serves sandwiches and salads alongside its pour-overs and macchiatos.

Launched in 2009 with a “<a href="https://sightglasscoffee.com/pages/our-company">rickety service cart</a>” in SoMa, Sightglass aimed to “elevate what coffee is,”  with a roasting style where “the caffeine stays more present,” according to a <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/sightglass-coffee-s-f-roasters-small-but-strong-2323307.php">2011 interview Jerad Morrison</a> gave to the Chronicle. It has since expanded to three locations in San Francisco, as well as a full restaurant in Los Angeles that serves sandwiches and salads alongside its pour-overs and macchiatos.

Several years after its launch, the company raised funding from Twitter and Square co-founder <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/company/sightglass-coffee/financials">Jack Dorsey</a>, as well as multiple rounds from <a href="https://gingerbreadcap.com/investment/sightglass-coffee/">VC firm GingerBread Capital</a>. (GingerBread did not respond to The Standard’s request for comment.)

Several years after its launch, the company raised funding from Twitter and Square co-founder <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/company/sightglass-coffee/financials">Jack Dorsey</a>, as well as multiple rounds from <a href="https://gingerbreadcap.com/investment/sightglass-coffee/">VC firm GingerBread Capital</a>. (GingerBread did not respond to The Standard’s request for comment.)

Its cash infusions put it among the ranks of other local caffeine peddlers to raise substantial funding over the last decade. Philz, Blue Bottle, and robotic coffee bar CafeX have all reeled in millions from VC firms. Outside the Bay Area, Blank Street Coffee in Brooklyn has raised <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/05/blank-street-coffee-bets-on-subscription-program.html">a stunning $100 million</a>, including from tech-centric VC funds General Catalyst and Tiger Global.&nbsp;

Its cash infusions put it among the ranks of other local caffeine peddlers to raise substantial funding over the last decade. Philz, Blue Bottle, and robotic coffee bar CafeX have all reeled in millions from VC firms. Outside the Bay Area, Blank Street Coffee in Brooklyn has raised <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/05/blank-street-coffee-bets-on-subscription-program.html">a stunning $100 million</a>, including from tech-centric VC funds General Catalyst and Tiger Global.&nbsp;

The funding frenzy has allowed these firms to pull espresso shots throughout the U.S., but the <a href="https://intelligence.coffee/2023/07/vc-funded-coffee-shops/">VC world’s ethos of growth can also cause friction</a>. <a href="https://www.grubstreet.com/2015/07/bulletproof-funding.html">Bulletproof</a> and <a href="https://medium.com/crv-insights/crv-invests-in-sudden-coffee-read-a-vcs-process-from-start-to-finish-bc4fe07bf129">Sudden Coffee</a>, which both raised funding from Silicon Valley investors, have since faced <a href="https://www.law360.com/articles/1702602">a lawsuit</a> and shut down, respectively.&nbsp;

The funding frenzy has allowed these firms to pull espresso shots throughout the U.S., but the <a href="https://intelligence.coffee/2023/07/vc-funded-coffee-shops/">VC world’s ethos of growth can also cause friction</a>. <a href="https://www.grubstreet.com/2015/07/bulletproof-funding.html">Bulletproof</a> and <a href="https://medium.com/crv-insights/crv-invests-in-sudden-coffee-read-a-vcs-process-from-start-to-finish-bc4fe07bf129">Sudden Coffee</a>, which both raised funding from Silicon Valley investors, have since faced <a href="https://www.law360.com/articles/1702602">a lawsuit</a> and shut down, respectively.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, expanded distribution has given rise to charges of diluted quality from coffee snobs. Since Nestle <a href="https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/nestle-acquires-majority-interest-blue-bottle-coffee">essentially acquired Blue Bottle</a> in 2017, people on Reddit have complained about <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/comments/ot1u4c/blue_bottle_cafes_declining_quality/">declining coffee quality</a>, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/pourover/comments/105rr8h/comment/j3cvtu7/">increasing prices</a> and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/pourover/comments/105rr8h/why_all_the_hate_for_blue_bottle/">the sins of the company’s corporate behemoth owner</a>. Philz, too, has been accused of selling out and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/17aamoe/philz_coffee_closing_original_store_in_sf/">losing its original charm</a>.

Meanwhile, expanded distribution has given rise to charges of diluted quality from coffee snobs. Since Nestle <a href="https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/nestle-acquires-majority-interest-blue-bottle-coffee">essentially acquired Blue Bottle</a> in 2017, people on Reddit have complained about <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/comments/ot1u4c/blue_bottle_cafes_declining_quality/">declining coffee quality</a>, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/pourover/comments/105rr8h/comment/j3cvtu7/">increasing prices</a> and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/pourover/comments/105rr8h/why_all_the_hate_for_blue_bottle/">the sins of the company’s corporate behemoth owner</a>. Philz, too, has been accused of selling out and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/17aamoe/philz_coffee_closing_original_store_in_sf/">losing its original charm</a>.

Healy’s long experience working for the most corporate chain of them all is sure to arouse suspicions among artisanal coffee purists.&nbsp;

Healy’s long experience working for the most corporate chain of them all is sure to arouse suspicions among artisanal coffee purists.&nbsp;

As one <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/17aamoe/comment/k5bwhrg/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button">Reddit user put it</a> in talking about San Francisco: “There&#8217;s so much great coffee here that drinking Philz and Starbucks should be a crime.”&nbsp;

As one <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/17aamoe/comment/k5bwhrg/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button">Reddit user put it</a> in talking about San Francisco: “There's so much great coffee here that drinking Philz and Starbucks should be a crime.”&nbsp;

As one <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/17aamoe/comment/k5bwhrg/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button">Reddit user put it</a> in talking about San Francisco: “There&#8217;s so much great coffee here that drinking Philz and Starbucks should be a crime.”&nbsp;

Do you have a story idea or tip about a local business? Contact this reporter at jdonfro@sfstandard.com

Do you have a story idea or tip about a local business? Contact this reporter at jdonfro@sfstandard.com

Bougie SF coffee chain bids founders farewell as Starbucks vet takes over

Garrett Leahy

More than 150 people attended a vigil Monday evening to grieve a man and a woman and their young child, all three of whom were killed after being struck by an SUV while waiting at a bus stop in West Portal Saturday afternoon.

More than 150 people attended a vigil Monday evening to grieve a man and a woman and their young child, all three of whom were killed after being struck by an SUV while waiting at a bus stop in West Portal Saturday afternoon.

Community members gathered near the scene of the crash on Ulloa Street near West Portal Avenue, where a banner reading “SF Grieves” was posted over a makeshift memorial brimming with flowers and stuffed animals.&nbsp;

Community members gathered near the scene of the crash on Ulloa Street near West Portal Avenue, where a banner reading “SF Grieves” was posted over a makeshift memorial brimming with flowers and stuffed animals.&nbsp;

“It’s so hard, we just saw them last week,” said Silvia Olivar, who said she knew the woman and young child who were killed but declined to share more, stressing that the family wants privacy.

“It’s so hard, we just saw them last week,” said Silvia Olivar, who said she knew the woman and young child who were killed but declined to share more, stressing that the family wants privacy.

Authorities said the man and the child died at the scene of the collision. The woman died later at the hospital.&nbsp;

Authorities said the man and the child died at the scene of the collision. The woman died later at the hospital.&nbsp;

The four victims are all members of the same family, the Brazilian consulate told the Standard Monday.

The four victims are all members of the same family, the Brazilian consulate told the Standard Monday.

On Tuesday morning, the city&#8217;s Office of the Medical Examiner identified the dead as Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and 1-year-old Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira died at the scene of the crash at Ulloa Street and Lenox Way, authorities said.

On Tuesday morning, the city's Office of the Medical Examiner identified the dead as Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and 1-year-old Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira died at the scene of the crash at Ulloa Street and Lenox Way, authorities said.

On Tuesday morning, the city&#8217;s Office of the Medical Examiner identified the dead as Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and 1-year-old Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira died at the scene of the crash at Ulloa Street and Lenox Way, authorities said.

The boy&#8217;s mother, Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38, died later in hospital.

The boy's mother, Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38, died later in hospital.

The boy&#8217;s mother, Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38, died later in hospital.

Diego, a Brazilian national, worked for Apple. A <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-cardoso-de-oliveira-974b924/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn profile</a> for a person with the same name lists employment sincseas an associate creative director at Apple.

Diego, a Brazilian national, worked for Apple. A <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-cardoso-de-oliveira-974b924/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn profile</a> for a person with the same name lists employment sincseas an associate creative director at Apple.

The crash also injured the family&#8217;s two-month-old boy, who is currently hospitalized.

The crash also injured the family's two-month-old boy, who is currently hospitalized.

The crash also injured the family&#8217;s two-month-old boy, who is currently hospitalized.

Julie Lazar, a West Portal resident since 2006, said she came to mourn in solidarity with her neighbors. “This happened in our neighborhood,” she said.&nbsp;

Julie Lazar, a West Portal resident since 2006, said she came to mourn in solidarity with her neighbors. “This happened in our neighborhood,” she said.&nbsp;

Walk SF and Bay Area Families for Safe Streets hold a vigil to honor victims of Saturdayʼs fatal collision at a Muni bus stop at Ulloa Street and Lenox Way in West Portal in San Francisco on March 18, 2024. A 78-year-old woman was arrested on multiple suspected charges after three members of the same family died, after the vehicle she was driving crashed into them.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/westportalvigil-01.jpg?w=2500" alt="People are placing flowers and notes at a makeshift memorial on a sidewalk. A crowd and media are present." class="wp-image-260494" style="width:671px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Community members left flowers at a makeshift memorial at Monday&#8217;s vigil honoring the victims of Saturdayʼs fatal collision at a Muni bus stop in West Portal. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/westportalvigil-01.jpg?w=2500" alt="People are placing flowers and notes at a makeshift memorial on a sidewalk. A crowd and media are present." class="wp-image-260494" style="width:671px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Community members left flowers at a makeshift memorial at Monday's vigil honoring the victims of Saturdayʼs fatal collision at a Muni bus stop in West Portal. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/westportalvigil-01.jpg?w=2500" alt="People are placing flowers and notes at a makeshift memorial on a sidewalk. A crowd and media are present." class="wp-image-260494" style="width:671px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Community members left flowers at a makeshift memorial at Monday&#8217;s vigil honoring the victims of Saturdayʼs fatal collision at a Muni bus stop in West Portal. </figcaption></figure>

Mayor London Breed and several other city officials were among the mourners.&nbsp;

Mayor London Breed and several other city officials were among the mourners.&nbsp;

“I’m just trying to process this right now,” said Breed, who declined to say anything more.

“I’m just trying to process this right now,” said Breed, who declined to say anything more.

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency head Jeff Tumlin said: “I’m&nbsp;just trying to deal with staff grief right now,”&nbsp;before walking away.

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency head Jeff Tumlin said: “I’m&nbsp;just trying to deal with staff grief right now,”&nbsp;before walking away.

Residents at the vigil joined pedestrian advocacy groups Walk SF and Bay Area Families for Safe Streets in calling on the city to make traffic safety improvements and investments in public transit that would get people out of cars.&nbsp;

Residents at the vigil joined pedestrian advocacy groups Walk SF and Bay Area Families for Safe Streets in calling on the city to make traffic safety improvements and investments in public transit that would get people out of cars.&nbsp;

Michael Petrelis, who lives in the Mission Dolores neighborhood, called on the city to ban cars altogether from the intersection of Ulloa Street and West Portal Avenue.

Michael Petrelis, who lives in the Mission Dolores neighborhood, called on the city to ban cars altogether from the intersection of Ulloa Street and West Portal Avenue.

“Traffic engineering in San Francisco sucks,” Petrelis said. “The car is king, whether it’s Valencia Street or here on West Portal.”

“Traffic engineering in San Francisco sucks,” Petrelis said. “The car is king, whether it’s Valencia Street or here on West Portal.”

District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose district includes the busy intersection where the crash happened, said speeding drivers have been a problem there for years.

District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose district includes the busy intersection where the crash happened, said speeding drivers have been a problem there for years.

Melgar, who attended the vigil, said the city needs to add concrete bollards in front of bus stops and use cameras and drones to enforce speeding and red light violations.

Melgar, who attended the vigil, said the city needs to add concrete bollards in front of bus stops and use cameras and drones to enforce speeding and red light violations.

“We have to do better,” she said.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/westportalvigil-04.jpg?w=2500" alt="A crowded urban street with a diverse group of people, some wearing masks, under an overcast sky." class="wp-image-260495"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Around 150 people joined Monday evening&#8217;s vigil for the two adults and a toddler killed in Saturday&#8217;s fatal crash.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/westportalvigil-04.jpg?w=2500" alt="A crowded urban street with a diverse group of people, some wearing masks, under an overcast sky." class="wp-image-260495"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Around 150 people joined Monday evening's vigil for the two adults and a toddler killed in Saturday's fatal crash.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/westportalvigil-04.jpg?w=2500" alt="A crowded urban street with a diverse group of people, some wearing masks, under an overcast sky." class="wp-image-260495"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Around 150 people joined Monday evening&#8217;s vigil for the two adults and a toddler killed in Saturday&#8217;s fatal crash.</figcaption></figure>

Emily Murphy, a UC Law professor who lives nearby on Diamond Heights Boulevard, said she has been nearly hit many times in the crosswalk on her street.

Emily Murphy, a UC Law professor who lives nearby on Diamond Heights Boulevard, said she has been nearly hit many times in the crosswalk on her street.

“My husband was at this stop 10 minutes prior, it could have been him,” Murphy said.

“My husband was at this stop 10 minutes prior, it could have been him,” Murphy said.

The victims of Saturday’s crash marked the eighth, ninth and 10th traffic deaths in San Francisco this year. There were 22 traffic deaths in 2023, according to data from Vision Zero, the city’s unsuccessful, decade-long <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/20/traffic-deaths-in-san-francisco-continue-despite-vision-zero/">initiative</a> to end traffic deaths by this year.

San Francisco set out to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024. Why has it failed?

The victims of Saturday’s crash marked the eighth, ninth and 10th traffic deaths in San Francisco this year. There were 22 traffic deaths in 2023, according to data from Vision Zero, the city’s unsuccessful, decade-long <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/20/traffic-deaths-in-san-francisco-continue-despite-vision-zero/">initiative</a> to end traffic deaths by this year.

Kax Lee, 22, said she saw the crash happen Saturday while she was sitting on a bench near the West Portal Muni station.

Kax Lee, 22, said she saw the crash happen Saturday while she was sitting on a bench near the West Portal Muni station.

Lee said she heard a loud boom and saw an SUV had crashed into a signpost. Then she saw a man propelled about 20 feet in the air.

Lee said she heard a loud boom and saw an SUV had crashed into a signpost. Then she saw a man propelled about 20 feet in the air.

“The car hit the pole, and the man was lying over there, about 70 feet away,” Lee said.

“The car hit the pole, and the man was lying over there, about 70 feet away,” Lee said.

A 78-year-old woman has been accused of manslaughter after the horrific wrong-way collision.

A 78-year-old woman has been accused of manslaughter after the horrific wrong-way collision.

Mary Fong Lau was booked into jail at 12:15 p.m. Sunday on three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two reckless driving offenses, driving on the wrong side of the road and driving at an unsafe speed, records show. Lau remained in jail Monday morning.

Mary Fong Lau was booked into jail at 12:15 p.m. Sunday on three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two reckless driving offenses, driving on the wrong side of the road and driving at an unsafe speed, records show. Lau remained in jail Monday morning.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins asked for patience in filing charges against Lau as toxicology results from the suspect could take 30 days to process. The vehicle operating system will need to be carefully analyzed by experts to determine if mechanical issues were involved in the crash.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins asked for patience in filing charges against Lau as toxicology results from the suspect could take 30 days to process. The vehicle operating system will need to be carefully analyzed by experts to determine if mechanical issues were involved in the crash.

‘We just saw them’: Huge crowd mourns family members killed in deadly West Portal crash

Bay Area transit officials, including BART and Muni bosses, will host a Bring-Your-Own-Booze happy hour aboard a Caltrain on Friday evening to celebrate Transit Month 2023.

Bay Area transit officials, including BART and Muni bosses, will host a Bring-Your-Own-Booze happy hour aboard a Caltrain on Friday evening to celebrate Transit Month 2023.

“All Aboard with Transit CEOs” is a ride-along and social event giving the public a chance to ride with and meet regional transit leaders aboard the 5:19 p.m. Caltrain #709 service.

“All Aboard with Transit CEOs” is a ride-along and social event giving the public a chance to ride with and meet regional transit leaders aboard the 5:19 p.m. Caltrain #709 service.

The event will let transit leaders call for ongoing financial support for transit operations and showcase interagency coordination to improve Bay Area rider experiences.

The event will let transit leaders call for ongoing financial support for transit operations and showcase interagency coordination to improve Bay Area rider experiences.

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