SF Retailer Hunt & Gather Relocates Downtown
San Francisco business Hunt & Gather has secured a new lease in the city's downtown core. The retailer, which previously operated in the Sunset district, will be establishing a new presence after departing its former location.
The move for Hunt & Gather was prompted by a doubling of rent at its former location at 1108 Irving St., where it had operated for three years. Owner DeeDee Hunt had actively worked to increase foot traffic in the area, even starting the Inner Sunset Art Walk. Hunt & Gather's new home will be inside The Market, the food hall located at 1355 Market St., below the former Twitter headquarters. The business had previously held successful pop-ups in this space, with one event drawing over 800 RSVPs. The new, larger space will allow the business to expand its offerings. In addition to hosting seasonal art exhibits, Hunt will take over a bar in the back to serve tea-based non-alcoholic drinks, which she calls "botanical elixirs." Hunt & Gather is more than a retail store; it functions as a hub for the local creative community, providing a platform for artists to showcase and sell their work. The business also offers workshops and business coaching for artists on topics like branding, marketing, and sales strategies. The relocation is part of a broader trend of new businesses opening in San Francisco's downtown area, which has been working to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and a rise in remote work. The city's retail vacancy rate has been a challenge, though recent data shows some improvement. Initiatives like the Downtown SF Vibrancy Loan Fund are actively working to fill vacant storefronts and revitalize the city's core by providing financial assistance to small businesses. Before departing the Sunset location, owner DeeDee Hunt left a message on the wall that read, "the Sunset is proof that endings can be beautiful too." The grand opening for the new downtown Hunt & Gather location is planned for April 17.
