I own a bakery, and it's been brutal since the summer. We were doing quite well last year, right up until May this year. In fact, May was our best month. Then sales dropped around 10% in June, July, and August. Maybe people travel, kids are out of school, I thought. It happened last year too, though not by 10%, but okay.

Then in September, and so far in October, sales dropped another 5%. If you own a restaurant, you know that just a 5% drop can kill you when all your fixed costs stay the same or go up (in fact, minimum wage went up to $19.61 starting July 1). I don't know the reason. Kids are back in school, right? People are back at work, right?

My only guess is that the economy is tough right now. Gas prices are high, a lot of people got laid off, so they're spending less?

How's your business doing?

Hi all- wife has offers in the ER at both. Just wondering if anyone can tell me any immediate pros/cons to either union/overall job conditions

I have a friend visiting from out of town, and she’s requested dim sum while she’s here! While I do enjoy dim sum, it’s been a while since I’ve tried any spots in the city, so I’d love to hear your recommendations.

I went to Harborview years ago and remember enjoying it, but I’m not sure if it’s still a spot worth checking out.

Our budget is flexible, and the only requirement is that the restaurant be in San Francisco.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I'm planning to go out solo today after work. Been living in SF for a few months. Trying to find a low-pressure way to socialise and make friends, who are also in their late twenties / early thirties.

Any recommendations for places to go where conversation comes easy, and there's not much pressure to perform?

Hi everyone! It's the return of the spooky season. As an ardent Halloween enjoyer I love this time of the year, just to roam around and explore everything that's happening in the city. Last year I didn't have enough time in hand and could only check out the Polk Street bars on the day, but I know the city offers much more things and I wanna try them all.

So I'm curious to know what are your plans for Halloween? This is partly to know the various happenings around town (which might not be found or well advertised online) and partly to see if any of these can pick my interests. I love a good costume filled events (not necessarily contests) so don't shy away any of them either.

I live in the Outer Richmond and just got a new job where I could be taking Caltrain to work. Getting all the way across the city would be like 70% of my commute time on the bus so I've been trying out the Lyft Bikes. Does anyone have strong opinions about how well that could work?

I've got a station with good availability near my house (been testing it out just for rides around town/stalking it in the mornings). I'm fine with biking and have a helmet already.

I think my biggest concern is how many bikes are at the Caltrain station around 6PM, is it a total ghost town or would I probably be OK? EBike would definitely be preferred but I'm good with old bikes too, especially if I can just ride to a more full station a ways down my route home.

Anything else I should know or anything I don't seem to be considering that I should be? I do have a car for rainy days so backup plans are already in place too.

Thanks!

i’m looking to get a new suit, but specifically from a place that has done suits for queer people? most things off the rack don’t totally fit right because i don’t feel comfortable in the tailoring of women’s suits and i like the fit and look of way men’s suits, but unsurprisingly something off the rack and made for a man unsurprisingly fit my body right. they don’t make pre-made suits that give my kind of body the kind of silhouette i am looking for, if that makes sense. most websites and social media posts i see for bespoke suits are full of either men getting their wedding suits or women getting a suit with a traditional women’s fit. does anyone have any recommendations?

Where can I get an apple cider slushie within SF city limits?

I'm looking for the traditional French version.

The last few times I tried them at Chez Maman the moules were cold, the broth hot.

Thank you!

There are huge bollards along the sidewalk now. Mostly blocking the entrance to the Trinity complex.

Hey everyone! My birthday is coming up next Thursday, and I was curious if anyone has bar recommendations for celebrating with friends in North Beach!

Ideally, I’m looking for a bar big enough for us to hang out at some tables and for everyone to grab drinks after 5PM, kind of a happy hour vibe. I’m expecting around 15 people, all in our mid-20s, so nothing too fancy or expensive.

Edit: thank you all for the recommendations! Will follow up in the comments

I have multiple cats so I’ve been thinking mobile vet care might be a better option than bringing them to my local veterinarian. I’m primarily interested in well care check-up so I can get prescriptions for Bravecta fleas medicine. Has anyone used a mobile vet that you’d recommend? Anything about the experience that is significantly different than bringing them into a clinic? Thanks!

looking for places or activities to do this month for halloween. I’m new to the area so i’m not too well informed on what’s going on or how to find events. I wanna find some things to do but im not really a party person so i was more looking for events like markets or pumpkin patches so if anyone has events they know of please let me know!!

I don't want to buy a 12qt bag, do you know if any nurseries sell on request?

Does anyone have an idea of a shop that can sew a leather tote bag in SF or the Bay Area? I have a hide and need someone who'll do a super job. I even have an extra hide or two for barter or trade. Thanks!

Someone crashed into my parked car this week and it won't be finished until next Friday. Im looking to rent a car because I have to pick up my daughter from daycare in west portal everyday at 5pm so it can be little stressful having to leave work early to ride the bus all the way across town.

im wondering what the best cheapish car rental options are in the city are?

First time going to a concert at GGP. What should I expect or prepare for?
I plan on getting there via public transit and bring a jacket (if it gets windy) + comfy shoes.

Title error: "franchises" lol

Hey! Was looking to see if there were any recommendations for individuals (small/independently owned shops) that specialize in merchandising. Thinks like jackets, backpacks, etc that come in the flavor of popular video game esthetics. :)

Hello!

Not sure if this is the right subreddit for this however, me and my family has been using DSL for our whole lives in SF and it is frustrating slow. The building we current reside in is old and doesn't support cable internet. It is also in a area that doesn't support fiber internet. What would be a good alternative for me in San Francisco. Should I get a 5g internet plan? What would be the best plan for me personally?

Really hoping someone has a lead. Our house was a total gut reno and the developers put in those tankless electronic toilets with the bidet, and dryers and all these sensors. Nice in theory but unfortunately they‘re not name brand like Toto, it’s just some Chinese factory DTC brand. It‘s been a few years and they have started malfunctioning. We think the plumbing is fine and it’s an issue with the electronics or some valve or something malfunctioning. My husband tried some of the basic troubleshooting but no dice.

Desperately looking for someone who we could hire to figure out and fix the issue. The couple places we called either only service authorized name brands or one place told us they’re happy to replace the entire toilet but they will not try to fix it.

Any leads would be so appreciated

My wife and I have an opportunity to buy a house off-market in SF’s Inner Sunset: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, about 1,250 square feet, no garage, for $1.9M. We love the neighborhood and could see ourselves staying long term. We have one young child and want another. We've been living in the house, renting for the past four years so we know it well.

The off-market opportunity is part of the appeal: potentially agreeing on a purchase without going through an open-market bidding process. But I’m trying to separate the appeal of that opportunity from whether the house is actually the right purchase.

My biggest hesitation is career flexibility. Buying would mean being relatively house poor for a few years and feeling obligated to stay in high-paying big-tech roles. I’d like the freedom to join a smaller company, and take less cash for an interesting opportunity.

Space is another consideration. With a second child, we anticipate wanting to expand eventually. A preliminary review suggests that might be possible, but we don’t have approved plans or a reliable construction estimate. So this could mean taking on both a substantial mortgage and a future construction project.

On the other hand, I worry about passing on this opportunity and getting priced out of a neighborhood we love. I think AI growth and potential IPO wealth could push SF housing prices higher, although I recognize that isn’t guaranteed.

Would you buy in this situation, or keep renting to preserve flexibility? Also, the alternative means potentially a $100k + buyout.

I've got pretty deep smile line and some hollowing under my eyes that's been bugging me, want to try filler to soften things up. I've done botox before but never filler so this is all new territory for me. Anyone have a doctor in SF or the Bay Area they trust for this? Would love a rec

Can anyone with HS aged kids explain to me the difference between these two schools? on paper they seem to have a lot of similarities but am wondering if there is a difference in the student body or other things I haven’t seen

I'm currently exploring hybrid doctoral programs in the San Francisco area, and Westcliff University is one of the schools I've been considering.

I'm specifically interested in a program that combines online coursework with limited in-person attendance, allowing me to continue living and working in Hawaii while having opportunities to network with professionals and students in San Francisco.

I recently spoke with an admissions counselor at Westcliff who explained that their hybrid program would require approximately six in-person visits per year, typically over weekends, while the rest is online throughout the year. That arrangement sounds appealing, but I'd like to hear from people who have firsthand experience with the university.

Has anyone attended Westcliff University, particularly one of its doctoral programs? I'm curious about its academic reputation, quality of education, faculty, and overall student experience.

I'd also appreciate recommendations for other universities in the San Francisco Bay Area offering similar hybrid doctoral programs with limited residency requirements.

I'm open to hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly, so please don't hesitate to share your honest experiences and opinions!

areas of study: Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Criminal Justice, Education, Government, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Management.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Hi, I’m considering a decent vehicle with a 4Runner or Land Cruiser feel. I live in Bay View and currently use an older car parked on the street. Will it be secure? I’ve had no trouble with my low-profile car, but the new model’s features make me uneasy.

Side note: I don’t come from wealth, so a 4Runner or Land Cruiser is a dream, especially new, hence my concern about owning and parking it without a private parking. I’m blessed to be getting a good deal which is why I want to take advantage of it.