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Looks like MB/Dogpatch is doing well.

Businesses near Chase thrive on playoffs
By Melissa Hartman Examiner staff writer • May 9, 2022 3:30 pm - Updated May 10, 2022 12:33 pm



On Wednesday, with the Warriors in Memphis for what could be the deciding game in the NBA Playoffs series, Bay Area fans waiting to watch the action at Chase Center’s Thrive City will form lines that traipse in front of nearby restaurants where the beer and music are flowing as much as the excitement.

Inside Gott’s Roadside, Harmonic Brewing and other establishments, the cheers of Dubs loyalists may only be rivaled by those of business owners who are soaking up sales attracted by a thriving team and the hordes that show up at Thrive City’s pop-up party.

“Having the Giants and the Warriors both be really good coming out of the pandemic is like the perfect storm, in a good way,” Plow restaurant co-owner Joel Bleskacek said.

While most sports venues are dark when teams are out of town, Chase is a notable exception, drawing fans to watch the Warriors in out-of-town playoff games. Eateries and bars in the area, most of which predate Chase Center, are seeing an influx of support between the facility’s modern offerings and reduced COVID restrictions.

“When Chase Center was really getting going, COVID hit and took the wind out of its sails,” said Tony Cooney, co-owner of Connecticut Yankee bar and restaurant. “Now, we will see a bunch of people come in and dine and hang out with us before the events and even after as well.”

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The tune is melodic from restaurateurs near Chase Center. It changes, turning melancholy, when you move outside its proximity. Every party but one is invited to the one-stop-shop fan experience: Individually owned businesses tucked inside the nearby neighborhoods themselves.

During a midday playoff game early in the series, Biscuit Bender owner Van Dao saw a noticeable drop in patronage. He spoke with customers about it who said they preferred eating and drinking on-site at Thrive City rather than going into the Dogpatch like they may have if such a destination hadn’t existed.

Dao went from counting on those who lived in the neighborhood and wanted to stay close to home during the pandemic to watching some customers return to options elsewhere. He compared Thrive City to Super Bowl City, a limited-time venue for concerts, events and more in light of Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

“I used to be in the Ferry Building and that was the worst sales merchants saw. Locals couldn’t get down there,” Dao said.

The Warriors do try to take care of local businesses through supplementary programming, argued Kimberly Veale, the Warriors’ senior director of corporate communications. She offered Home Court Assist, an effort in which the organization supplies hot meals from local businesses to those facing food insecurity, and the Tastemakers Program, a Thrive City feature that allows for San Francisco companies to promote their products.

“We take our role as a good neighbor very seriously, and as an extremely active partner in community activities, we know from our day-to-day experiences that Chase Center brings enormous vitality and economic activity to the entire area beyond the arena,” Veale said.

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“With most stadiums, the businesses, the restaurant and entertainment areas around the stadiums tend to live and die by those events. … But Chase is unique. It’s done a really good job with creating a collaborative space with the community, outdoor TV screens (and all). People will still eat at the restaurants,” said Bleskacek.

In addition to advocating for the Warriors organization, the Plow owner praised Giants owner Larry Baer’s multi-use project happening just down the water from the ballpark. This, with the development of Spark Social, the UCSF Mission Bay campus, Crane Cove Park and others, has made the area feel more connected to the rest of The City rather than a district for warehouses.

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Regardless of stadium economics, owners agree regulars from the neighborhood saved their businesses during the pandemic. They are reminders of the good will that does exist in The City, even after all of the pain that continues to be inflicted by the virus.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have built a solid relationship with our neighbors in Mission Bay, Dogpatch and the Bayview, and we recognize how lucky we are to have their support on a regular basis, particularly the last couple of years. Having the Chase Center next door is amazing, but our loyalty is undoubtedly weighted toward our friends in the neighborhood,” Osborne said.

Christensen and Cooney said some neighbors have been there for generations and make up a “massive” amount of the clientele.

“The vibe is kind of like North Beach; they support each other,” Christensen said. “Especially with our old-time place, it’s the same faces. We don’t turn over a lot of staff there.”

Dao prefers this location to his old, more touristy one because his intention was to establish a community cafe.

“My loyal base lives here. They’re the ones I want to serve anyway. I know people by name, so there’s an actual community sense versus a transactional sense,” he said.

https://www.sfexaminer.com/the-city/...e-on-playoffs/