By Ellen Eason

The Inner Sunset is known for its culinary and bar scene.

Newcomers include Caché bistro which serves French fare at brunch, lunch and dinner (1235 Ninth Ave.). Innovative Lebanese cuisine shines at the new Mezze and Moore (Irving Street and Seventh Avenue). Evoking the spirit of Dublin, The Temple Bar features a full bar and bingo, trivia games and Irish music on select nights (Irving and 10th Avenue). Look for dumpling restaurant Jian Bao to open soon (1525 Irving St., near 16th Avenue).

In other business news, Terrance McMahon Construction opened an office (1400 Irving St., at 15th Avenue), while tattoo studio Iji Emporium opened its doors (1411 Irving St., at 15th Avenue).

Sunset Commons DIY Café is renovating a space for crafts and community drop-ins, workshops and private events (1600 Irving St. at 17th Avenue).

Merchant Focus

Searching for a unique, handcrafted item for a gift or your home? Consider Hunt and Gather at 1108 Irving St., at 12th Avenue. This gallery and gift shop offers an array of locally made items and is designed to evolve with each season.

“Our exhibitions, products and even the space itself transform to reflect a fresh, themed experience,” said owner DeeDee Hunt. Hunt and Gather is celebrating its seventh anniversary in business this month.

Hunt observes a move toward experiential shopping.

“People want more than just a transaction; they want an experience,” she said. “Hunt and Gather embraces this by creating an immersive environment where art, retail and community engagement come together. This is also why we started organizing seasonal Inner Sunset Art Walks.

Another trend is community-driven business models. Artists and makers are looking for spaces that offer not just sales opportunities but also networking, education and collaboration. Lastly, there’s a growing demand for locally made, sustainable and meaningful products. Customers want to know the story behind what they’re buying, and merchants take pride in showcasing artists and makers who create with intention.

“Beyond being a retail and art destination, we are a creative hub for artists and makers,” Hunt said. “Each season we host a complimentary Creative Business Strategy Session and Mixer, offering not just inspiration but real support in setting and achieving business goals. These sessions also serve as launchpads for attendees to sign up for pop-ups and help us plan future exhibitions.

“Hunt and Gather isn’t just a storefront – it’s an ever-evolving, supportive ecosystem for artists, entrepreneurs and the community.”

Hunt said she appreciates the incredible sense of community in the neighborhood.

“The support from neighbors and the Inner Sunset Merchants Association is amazing. There’s a strong culture of collaboration here, which makes it the perfect place for a creative hub,” she said. “Plus, the location is unbeatable! With Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach in our backyard, the Inner Sunset attracts an inspiring mix of locals and visitors.”

Family-Friendly Activities Abound

The Inner Sunset teems with family-friendly fun, from museums to library programs to art and musical experiences. Here are some resources.

Retail: Kira Kids, Chloe’s Closet, Noomoon, and kids’ sections at San Franpsycho and Green Apple Books

Services: Blue Bear School of Music offers piano, guitar, ukelele, flute and brass lessons. Moon and Stars Studio teaches family-time yoga and kid-friendly classes. Hatch Midwifery offers holistic midwifery care.

Art Spaces: Messy Art Lab, Earthfire Arts, Ciclo Sewing Lab, Art School of SF Bay and Hunt and Gather

Schools and Youth: Jefferson Elementary, Alice Fong Yu, St. Anne and several preschools call the neighborhood home, plus Independence High School and the Wah Mei bilingual school. Treat yourself to sweets from frequent school bake sales and Girl Scout cookie sales (Ninth and Irving).

City Services: Sunset Branch Library (18th and Irving) and Sharon Art Studio (Golden Gate Park).

Attractions: California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum (free for visitors 17 and under), and Gardens of the Golden Gate offer countless programs.

Family-Friendly Tea: Sip Tea Room presents a children’s tea service on Thursdays and Fridays, perfect for celebrating special occasions and birthdays. The holiday season features tea with Mrs. Claus.

Events: Monthly Fourth Saturday morning clean-ups are good for all ages. Free games are available to enjoy during the Inner Sunset Flea Market on second Sundays from April-November.

About the Inner Sunset Merchants’ Association

The association is the voice of our neighborhood’s business community. We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit association committed to supporting, promoting and advocating for the needs of our local business community. We welcome new merchants into our neighborhood and work hard to drive new business to our growing community. Learn more at innersunsetmerchants.org.

Ellen Eason is a writer and Inner Sunset resident.