First Building Blocks parklet opens at Excelsior Coffee
Excelsior Coffee co-owner Lea Sabado and her son (center) cut the ribbon during the unveiling of the first Building Blocks parklet, flanked, from left, by SF New Deal's Hoh Chen, designer John Bela, District 11 supervisor Chyanne Chen, and SF New Deal's Simon Bertrang.
San Francisco’s beloved parklets have brought life and vibrancy to our streets, supporting businesses and providing safe gathering spots. But navigating city compliance and maintenance has proved overwhelming for many small businesses.
SF New Deal has stepped up with an innovative solution: Building Blocks.
Building Blocks delivers a modular solution that makes parklets easier to install, manage, and maintain, with shared maintenance services, adaptive designs, and a commitment to neighborhood aesthetics and accessibility.
By absorbing these complexities, SF New Deal empowers small business owners to focus on what they do best: serving their communities. SF New Deal has designed the modular units in partnership with urban designer and Parking Day founder John Bela.
SF New Deal’s newest Building Blocks parklet at Excelsior Coffee.
“With Building Blocks, we’re committed to preserving and enhancing San Francisco’s community spirit, making it easier than ever for local business owners to focus on what they do best: serving their communities and bringing vibrancy to their neighborhoods,” said Simon Bertrang, Executive Director of SF New Deal. “We’re taking everything we’ve learned from years of working alongside small business owners and turning it into something simple, practical, and easy to use. This isn’t just about building parklets—it’s about making it easier for people to bring life to their neighborhoods and create spaces where small businesses can thrive.”
The inaugural Building Blocks parklet launched this week at Excelsior Coffee, marking the beginning of a broader pilot program.
Ribbon cutting at Excelsior Coffee.
Founded by partners Lea Sabado and Andre Higginbotham, Excelsior Coffee is a beloved small business that blends a passion for quality coffee with a commitment to the neighborhood's rich cultural fabric. Beyond serving meticulously sourced and roasted coffee, Excelsior Coffee is a hub for local events, motorcycle enthusiasts, and cultural gatherings, embodying the unique spirit and identity of the Excelsior Outer-Mission community.
“Excelsior Coffee has always been dedicated to creating a welcoming space where our community can connect and flourish. The support we’ve gotten through SF New Deal has made it a reality for us to have a beautiful and compliant parklet that represents our shop and the neighborhood,” said Lea Sabado, co-owner of Excelsior Coffee. "This parklet represents more than just additional seating; it's a vibrant space on an iconic corner where our communities can come together.”
Together, we're building a vibrant, welcoming future for San Francisco—one parklet at a time.
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