By Ellen Eason

With the recent openings of Luke’s Local Grocery and MIXT, Ninth Avenue between Irving Street and Lincoln Way is more vibrant than ever.

Stock up on organic produce, high-quality meat and seafood, and pantry staples like heirloom beans, assorted pasta, gourmet sauces, olive oil and more at Luke’s Local. Or, grab coffee or a quick bite and relax in the indoor or outdoor seating areas.

MIXT kicked off its opening week with lemonade tastings, an ice cream happy hour and giveaways. The restaurant specializes in chef-crafted salads, warm bowls and hearty sandwiches made from scratch with organic, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

“Our mission at MIXT is simple: to nourish people and the planet with food that’s as craveable as it is conscious,” said Leslie Silverglide, MIXT co-founder and CEO. “The Inner Sunset has a true neighborhood spirit and deep connection to nature – it’s the perfect place for us to grow our roots even deeper in our hometown of San Francisco.”

Just around the corner on Lincoln, Sip Tea Room now hosts Sip’s Social Club on the first and third Fridays of the month, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Socialize with neighbors at the communal table while enjoying a complimentary cup of tea. BYOTC (bring your own teacup) and be sure to try the freshly baked scones. (Adults only, please.)

Merchant Focus: Roby Hernandez, Ciclo SF

Sew your way to a greener world – and have fun!

If you yearn to create a Project Runway-worthy outfit or just want to sew a simple pillow cover or tote bag, consider enhancing your skills at Ciclo SF Sustainable Fashion & Sewing Lab. This unique business is the brainchild of eco-conscious entrepreneur Robertha “Roby” Hernandez, whose family in Chile once ran a clothing factory.

Hernandez studied fashion design and operated her own preschool before launching Ciclo SF, an enterprise that combines her love of teaching and design with her passion for sustainability. Ciclo SF opened three years ago when there was a renewed interest in hands-on activities and in-person connections.

“There is a lot of interest in making clothes now, due to the popularity of sewing and design on social media,” Hernandez said. “People want to understand the process of making clothes and learn to repair their garments.”

Ciclo SF offers varied classes for beginners, advanced students and kids 5 and up. Basic classes teach students to operate sewing machines and make a patchwork bag using second-hand clothes. Other workshops focus on hand-sewing and embroidery. Team-building workshops, private parties and kids’ birthday parties can also be arranged. Studio Open Hours allow people to drop in and use the machines. In addition to being a place to learn skills, the studio is a social hub where people gather while practicing their craft.

The word “ciclo” is the Spanish word for “cycle.” The name reflects Ciclo SF’s commitment to the principles of upcycling and recycling, emphasizing the importance of keeping materials in use for as long as possible.

“We envision a circular life for clothing and textiles, where instead of being discarded and ending up in landfills, they are continually repurposed, reused and given new life,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez enjoys teaching people to be more eco-conscious. Textiles used in her classes are second-hand clothes, and even strands of thread are reused. Ciclo SF will soon have a shredder to repurpose fabric to fill pillows or quilts.

You can learn more about Ciclo SF at ciclosf.com or stop by the sewing lab at 345 Judah St.

Vintage and Second-Hand Finds are Affordable and Sustainable

With rising costs and looming tariffs, buying second hand is more popular than ever. A variety of merchants in the Inner Sunset offer second-hand, vintage and locally made items, including Crossroads Trading (clothes and accessories), Chloe’s Closet and Noomoon (children’s wear and gear), Try Studio (vintage clothes and home decor), Sunset Mercantile Emporium (vintage, antique and handcrafted items), Green Apple Books (books) and Amazing Fantasy (vintage comic books).

The Inner Sunset Flea Market, held on the second Sunday of each month from April-November, is a treasure trove for second-hand and vintage clothes, fine china, collectibles and locally made goods. The market takes place on closed-to-traffic Irving between Ninth and 11th avenues and features two stages with music and games for the kids.

Feeling crafty? Make your own creations at Earthfire Arts Studio or Ciclo SF. You will have unique and sustainable products for gifts or your own enjoyment.

Check out these resources for free items: the Facebook Inner Sunset Buy Nothing Group, the Toy Library at Irving and Sixth Avenue and little free libraries throughout the neighborhood.

The Inner Sunset Merchants’ 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.