News :: Business

Business Briefing: Queer owner's garage fermentation trials produce thriving cider business

Business Briefing: Queer owner's garage fermentation trials produce thriving cider business

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Sep 13, 2023

While working at various San Francisco restaurants in the late 1990s and 2000s, Bex Pezzullo was studying to earn her certification as a sommelier.

Art project seeks to bridge Castro's past, present

Art project seeks to bridge Castro's past, present

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 16, 2023

A new art installation in the Castro is seeking to bring the LGBTQ neighborhood's history alive while at the same time enliven empty storefront spaces.

Business Briefing: From Castro start, yoga practice spreads across SF

Business Briefing: From Castro start, yoga practice spreads across SF

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 9, 2023

Twenty-five years ago David Nelson got his start as a yoga proprietor when he opened his first studio in San Francisco's LGBTQ Castro district in 1998 with co-owner Darren Main.

Business Briefing: Wine purveyors uncork joviality in SF SOMA district

Business Briefing: Wine purveyors uncork joviality in SF SOMA district

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 12, 2023

Sommeliers and friends Cara Patricia and Simi Grewal opened their wine bar and shop DECANTsf in San Francisco's South of Market district on May 1, 2019.

Castro shop sending LGBTQ books to red states

Castro shop sending LGBTQ books to red states

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jul 11, 2023

A Castro neighborhood bookstore is doing its part to fight homophobic and transphobic book bans by sending boxes of books with LGBTQ themes to organizations in conservative areas.

Business Briefing: Marking 3rd anniversary, Castro chocolatier hosts drag brunch

Business Briefing: Marking 3rd anniversary, Castro chocolatier hosts drag brunch

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 14, 2023

As it marks this month its third anniversary in business at 3901 18th Street in San Francisco's Castro LGBTQ neighborhood, Kokak Chocolates is shaking up its menu items and eying expansion into breakfast and lunch options.

Business Briefing: Gay vintner couple readies Napa events venue, guesthouse

Business Briefing: Gay vintner couple readies Napa events venue, guesthouse

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • May 10, 2023

Over the course of a Monday afternoon in mid-April at their Yountville home, husbands Joey Wo?osz and Jeff Durham showed off their culinary skills as they discussed how the dishes they prepared paired with their Gentleman Farmer wines.

Harnessing the Power of Blockchain Technology for Video Games

Harnessing the Power of Blockchain Technology for Video Games

  • by Advertising Department -- Sponsored content
  • Apr 21, 2023

Blockchain technology is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about topics in the tech world, and for good reason.

Business Briefing: For 25 years, AsiaSF choreographer has kept the beat

Business Briefing: For 25 years, AsiaSF choreographer has kept the beat

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Apr 12, 2023

Growing up in San Francisco's Little Hollywood neighborhood Ronnie Reddick began modeling at the age of 17.

Business Briefing: Desert flora inspires SF-based skincare line hault

Business Briefing: Desert flora inspires SF-based skincare line hault

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Mar 8, 2023

Over the years San Francisco resident Brian Diethorn has found visits to Joshua Tree National Park straddling the Colorado and Mojave deserts and to Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley to be rejuvenating destinations.

Castro Merchants back lesbian tech confab — with conditions

Castro Merchants back lesbian tech confab — with conditions

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Mar 2, 2023

After bitterly criticizing last year's Lesbians Who Tech and Allies' confab in the Castro, the merchants association decided Thursday to back the group's return to the LGBTQ neighborhood this fall — with conditions.

Beleaguered Castro seeks signs of hope

Beleaguered Castro seeks signs of hope

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Mar 1, 2023

January's abrupt closure of Harvey's lit a fire under mounting anxieties that San Francisco's storied Castro LGBTQ neighborhood is in decline.

Many Castro businesses non-LGBTQ owned, survey finds

Many Castro businesses non-LGBTQ owned, survey finds

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Feb 22, 2023

Less than half of businesses in San Francisco's LGBTQ neighborhood that participated in a 2021 survey conducted by the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District were "owned or managed" by members of the queer community, neighborhood leaders told the B.A.R.

Business Briefing: Spice shop shakes up couple's wedding plans

Business Briefing: Spice shop shakes up couple's wedding plans

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Feb 8, 2023

Four days shy of Christmas in 2021, Matthew Green and Phuong Mai got engaged and began making wedding plans. Together nearly six years, the San Francisco couple had expected to set a date sometime in 2023.