Formr will be taking over the space at 1917 Mission St. near 15th Street. Photo by Oscar Palma.

Mission Buzz is a regular update on changes, tidbits and other news from the Mission’s commercial corridors. Got news? Send to tips@missionlocal.com .

Former Bissap Baobab at 2235 Mission, near 19th Street, will now house Downtime. Photo by Christina Macintosh.

Four Mission District businesses will receive Storefront Opportunity Grants from the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development for businesses that activate vacant storefronts.

Downtime , the nightclub by the creators of Bar Part-Time that’s set to open later this year at the former home of Bissap Baobab at 2243 Mission St. near 19th Street, received $100,000. Fried Chicken Palace , the Southern-style restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Seth Stowaway, which opened in November at the former home of Wes Burgers at 2240 Mission St, near 19th St., also received $100,000.

Mission Lotería , which has been in part funded by the city, and puts on a Mexican-style lotería game with local businesses, in which customers play by collecting characters at participating establishments, received $50,000. Formr , a furniture and home decor store that uses salvaged materials for its products and hires people who were formerly incarcerated, unhoused, or gang members, also received $50,000. Formr is moving from SoMa to 1917 Mission St., near 15th Street sometime in September.

These Mission businesses are among 39 businesses across the city awarded over $3 million this year. The funds are part of a $6.3 million strategy announced earlier this month by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development in partnership with the Office of Small Business to activate storefronts, support entrepreneurship, and revitalize business corridors.

Mission Cultural Center’s building seen from the eastern side of Mission Street. Photo by Oscar Palma

Save the date: The next community meeting for updates on the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th at 6 p.m (check Instagram for location.) Board members will discuss the latest developments with the center, which closed at the beginning of 2026 after facing fiscal troubles.

Ian James’ last day at its storefront at 14th and Valencia streets is Aug. 15. Photo by Oscar Palma.

Ian James , which offered handmade leather creations by its owner, Ian James, will close next month after four years at 303 Valencia St., near 14th Street.

James described closing as a bittersweet decision that lifts a weight off his shoulders but makes him sad.

“Just can’t literally keep up anymore,” said James, citing slow sales for the last year and a half. “I even took a day job last year just to make ends meet. So it was just more of a financial decision. With that comes a lot of stress that just isn’t fun.”

James said that he’s looking for a studio where he can keep creating products that customers will be available for purchase online.

The building at 150 Valencia St. that housed Stuff and Fog City Flea Trading Post. Photo by Lydia Chavez.

A quarter of a year. That’s how long Fog City Flea Trading Post lasted after moving into the old location of Stuff at 150 Valencia St. Gazetteer reported its closing last week

The owner, James Morelos, told Mission Local in September he wanted a catalogue that was wider, deeper and pricer that could be a destination for locals and others coming from “Napa or Silicon Valley.”

“I believe we could sell more expensive things,” Morelos said at the time.

Yemex Perfumes near 16th and Mission streets will be opening in about two weeks. Photo by Oscar Palma.

A perfume shop is coming to the 16th and Mission area. Yemex Perfumes will take over 2035 Mission St. near 16th Street, the storefront that housed Mona’s Apparel for 37 years until its closure late last year.

An employee said the perfume store will be opening in about two weeks.

El Capricho has been closed for days. A note on the front door says the business owner owes three months in rent. Photo by Oscar Palma.

Across the street from Yemex Perfumes, El Capricho Restaurant at 2022 Mission St., near 16th Street, appears to have closed.

The business’ gate has been locked for a few days and an “amended three day notice to pay rent or quit” dated July 2 and signed by the property’s owner is taped on its doors. The notice alleges the restaurant’s owner owes $19,200— three months’ rent.

Reporting from the Mission District and other District 9 neighborhoods. Some of his personal interests are bicycles, film, and both Latin American literature and punk. Oscar's work has previously appeared in KQED, The Frisc, El Tecolote, and Golden Gate Xpress.