Root Down - Leasing a commercial space

I grew up in San Francisco.

I went to the pair of Community schools, Second Community and the original Community. I've lived here almost all of my 38 years, mostly in the Mission, Excelsior, and just over the border in the D.C. My childhood was spent in the zoo, in the museums, in the parks, and on the Muni. I've already seen a lot of changes in the City, and appriciate that that's part of what makes this an amazing place to not just live in, but to grow-up in. I'm City & County, born & bred, and love these 49 square miles dearly.

All that said though, yesterday I become even closer to the City. I signed a commerical lease for a space at 3520 20th Street to start my business "Mission: Comics & Art". A year ago, I don't think I would of forseen it, but a few major life changes happened, and now I'm so grateful to be where I am, doing what I'm doing.

One of the core principles of Burner culture is radical participation, and a few years back I set the goal of making my life off the Playa more in line with my own inner truths and values.
To me, starting my own business in San Francisco, and specifically the Mission, is a making a commitment to radically participate in this city I love, create something that's a real contribution, and put my roots down even deeper. Sitting back and just enjoying all the City has to offer just isn't enough anymore. I want to help build this little intentional community of 800,000.

So here I go, arms and legs fully inside the vehicle, and readly to let it ride!

3520 20th St.

Looked at 3520 20th St #2 yesterday. I'd sort of been dubious of the level of foot traffic on 20th St., and not sure if it was enough to attract the customers I want. But I walked down the street on Saturday afternoon and was quite surprised how many people were on 20th now. I think the newish Rodger's Coffee has helped a lot. It's also a much wider, more open street then some of the others between Mission and Valencia, and that probably help some too.

As for the space itself, it's in a brand new building, with not a whole lot of character or anything like that, but at the same time with no obvious problems. The floor plan is kinda odd, with a strange cubby holes branching off the main room, and a back room that could actually work well as separate gallery space, or even a reading lounge.

Another nice feature is the neighbor, Cameo, with Her Majesty's Secret Beekeeper, a lovely purveyor of beekeeping supplies and honey products which just opened this week. Definitely stop by and check it out. The back wall is an amazing Kiriko Moth mural with steampunk bees, and a nice little zepling over the Bridge. Turns out Cameo herself a bit of fangirl herself and was was quite excited that Neil Gaiman is planning on stopping by the shop next week, as he keeps his own bee yard at home.