This month, we present the first of our new street talk column, featuring—well, you. We wanted to give you a platform to tell the Northside about what brings you to the neighborhood or keeps you here. The city is changing fast, with new people, new businesses, new technologies, new (and old) problems.
To start, we asked the following:
• What is your name?
• What neighborhood do you live in, and how long have you lived there?
• How often do you come to Union Street?
• What are your favorite things to do on Union Street?
• What would you like to see more of?
• What would you like to see less of?
Stephanie
• Lives in Laurel Heights and has been there 7 years.
• Spends two days a week on Union Street for an exercise class and for shopping.
• Her favorite thing to do is go to the pre- and postnatal exercise class at the Lotus Method.
• She would like to see more regular clothing stores, more boutiques, and baby-friendly restaurants.
• She would like to see fewer loud restaurants: “I think there’s a good mix of different style stores here.”
Malachi
• Lives in Nopa and has been there 6 weeks.
• Comes to Union Street three or four times a week to go to Equinox gym.
• His favorite thing about Union Street is all of the restaurants: “I always grab food after the gym.”
• He would like to see more fast-casual restaurants.
• He would like to see fewer chains: “It’s nice that we have more local businesses.”
Brad
• Lives in Pacific Heights and has been there 4 years.
• Comes to Union Street four days a week.
• His favorite things to do there are eat and shop.
• What he would like to see more of: “We love the boutique shops, but we wouldn’t be opposed to a Walgreens or an Apple Store.”
• He would like to see fewer irresponsible bars and bar owners. Also, he said, “I think there’s too much vacancy.”
Rich
• Lives in Pacific Heights and has been there 8 years.
• Comes to Union Street two days a week.
• His favorite things to do are go to brunch and day drink.
• What he’d like to see more of: “You can never have too many restaurants. Outdoor seating is always nice — not all of them have that.”
• He would like to see less traffic on Union Street.
Damon
• Lives in Potrero Hill and has been there 5 years.
• Comes to Union Street four times a year.
• His favorite things to do are eat and shop: “I love Wrecking Ball Coffee.”
• He would like to see more fashion options for men.
• He would like to see fewer nail and hair salons.
Dustin
• Lives in Noe Valley and has been there 7 years.
• Comes to Union Street two days a month.
• His favorite thing to do is people watch.
• He would like to see more higher quality restaurants
• He would like to see less traffic.
Christy
• Lives in Cow Hollow and has been there 20 years.
• She goes to Union Street four times a week.
• Her favorite things to do are to get all of her “beauty stuff done” and then have lunch.
• What she would like to see more of: “I would like to see all the empty buildings have businesses that can afford to be there.”
• What she would like to see less of: “I’m good with the way it is.”
