The Heart of Jtown

Many have expressed concern about how the COVID-19 pandemic is going to impact the future of San Francisco’s Japantown. Japantown groups who have come together to organize a response to the current crisis and are working on ways to help sustain our Japantown. We’ll keep you posted here on the Heart of Jtown website on the efforts underway to mobilize support for community groups, cultural institutions and small businesses.

During COVID the JCBD enlisted the help of Japantown community artists to create murals that filled the empty storefronts in the malls. They also created colorful eye catching street lamp banners that line throughout the District.

Supporting Small Businesses

Because of the disruptions that COVID-19 has created for Japantown small businesses, the Japantown Community Benefit District (JCBD). will be launching the Heart of Jtown Small Business Resiliency Fund campaign to solicit donations. Once the minimum fundraising goal of $500,000 is met the funds will be distributed to San Francisco Japantown small businesses within the JCBD district that meet the criterias based on an online grant application process.

With the help of so many donors the JCBD was able to surpass their goal of $500,000 dollars in less than a month. They will keep the GoFundMe donation page open until December 31st.

As of date with the funds raised, the JCBD has purchased/helped fund:

• 60 counter sneeze guards
• PPE supplies (face shields and masks)
• Reimbursed merchants up to $250 each for sneeze guards purchased
• Provided Kinokuniya merchants with outdoor porta potties and hand washing station
• Assisted in cost for renting tents for Restaurant at the Plaza
• Assisted in cost for extending Picnic at the Plaza for the month of November
• Mural for Super Mira
• Through a grant application process, awarded 80 small businesses with $5000
• Funded the Shared Spaces Program build-out for Kinokuniya tenants
• Funded “Bistro Lights” for outdoor dining area on the Buchanan Mall

The Heart of Jtown Resiliency Fund grant application was distributed to all of our small businesses with a focus on storefronts and restaurants. The JCBD is happy to report that 80 grant applications was received. Businesses will be using the grant money for employee wages, rent or operating costs. A total of $400K was distributed.

The JCBD has also enlisted the help of the artists that worked on the Street Lamp Banners to create dividers that will placed at each of the five Buchanan Mall Out Door Dining participants. Bringing a cohesive look and feel to the area.