Shopping Local This Holiday Season

As we head into the holiday season, there’s no better time to celebrate and support the small businesses that make our neighborhoods so special. Whether it’s a cup of coffee from your favorite cafe on Balboa Street, a gift from a shop on Clement Street or dinner at arestaurant on Irving Street, small businesses are the heart and soul of the Richmond and Sunset districts.

But for many local business owners, the past few years have been incredibly challenging. Rising costs and ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic have stretched them thin. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring that our state continues to support small businesses, not just through words, but through real programs and funding to help them succeed.

Supporting Our Neighborhoods

This season, I’m doubling down on a commitment that matters: shopping local and standing with the small businesses that define the character of our neighborhoods. I hope you’ll join me.

Every dollar spent at a local shop strengthens our economy, supports good jobs and keeps our commercial corridors vibrant and alive. Our westside small businesses are more than storefronts. They are the heart of our community, run by neighbors who invest in our families, our safety and our shared future. When we choose them, we’re choosing a stronger, more connected San Francisco.

Let’s lift up the businesses that lift up our community.

State Support for Small Businesses

Through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), our state offers free or low-cost resources for entrepreneurs at every stage, from new business owners to long-term operators looking to expand. CalOSBA partners with local Small Business Development Centers and other organizations to provide one-on-one consulting, help with marketing and guidance on navigating state and local regulations. These resources are especially valuable for family-run or immigrant-owned businesses that may not have full-time administrative or legal support.

The state also helps small businesses access capital. Through the State Small Business Credit Initiative, California offers loan guarantees to help business owners qualify for loans they might otherwise be denied. This program has already provided more than a billion dollars in support statewide, helping businesses grow and recover from financial setbacks.

For entrepreneurs interested in contracting with the state, California has made it easier for small businesses to compete for government contracts. A portion of all state contracting dollars is set aside for certified small businesses. This means that small businesses in our neighborhoods have the opportunity to work directly with state agencies and benefit from a steady stream of business.

California has also made equity a core part of its small business strategy. Programs like the “Welcome In” initiative, launched by the California Civil Rights Department, helpbusinesses build safe and inclusive workplaces for both employees and customers. And the Small Business Technical Assistance Expansion Program invests millions in helping small business support centers that serve historically underserved communities expand their outreach efforts.

How My Office Can Help

If you’re a small business owner and want to learn more about how to take advantage of these state programs, my district office is here to help connect you with the right resources. Whether you’re interested in applying for a state loan guarantee, getting technical advice or learning how to register as a small business vendor with the state, we can point you in the right direction.

You can find information about many of these programs at CalOSBA.ca.gov, or by reaching out directly to my office at Assemblymember.Stefani@assembly.ca.gov or call 415-557-2312.

As we celebrate this holiday season, let’s remember that one of the best gifts we can give is our support for the small businesses that make our neighborhoods thrive.

Wishing you and your family a joyful and safe holiday season!

Assemblymember Catherine Stefani represents California’s 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. She can be reached at 415-557-2312 or Assemblymember.Stefani@assembly.ca.gov.