Sunnydale, one of San Francisco’s most chronically underserved neighborhoods for basic groceries, may finally be getting a full‑service market of its own. Bi‑Rite Market and local nonprofit 18 Reasons have announced plans for Sunnydale Market, a nonprofit grocery store designed to sell everyday essentials at cost.
The 2,800‑square‑foot store is slated for the ground floor of the new Amani building in the Sunnydale neighborhood. The market’s focus will be fresh produce, pantry staples and ingredients that reflect the community’s Black, Latino and Pacific Islander food traditions. Organizers say the store will accept SNAP and WIC and will not sell alcohol, tobacco or ultra‑processed foods. They are aiming for a late‑2027 opening, although lease terms and construction details are still being worked out.
The plan went public at 18 Reasons’ anniversary gala, where Bi‑Rite owner Sam Mogannam told the crowd that “everything will be sold at cost.” Organizers said Bi‑Rite will operate the market, while 18 Reasons will take the lead on operations and funding management. Goods are expected to be priced about 35% to 45% below typical retail, with philanthropic support covering operating losses so prices can stay low. The timeline and pricing model were laid out to attendees and local press, according to The San Francisco Standard.
Where It Will Sit
Sunnydale Market is planned for 1515 Sunnydale Ave., on the ground floor of the Amani building, part of the larger Sunnydale HOPE SF redevelopment. That master plan calls for replacing aging public housing with roughly 1,770 mixed‑income homes and about 60,000 square feet of neighborhood‑serving retail, giving a small grocer a built‑in base of customers. City planning documents spell out the phased approvals, design standards and retail allocations for the project site, according to San Francisco Planning.
How The Financing Works
Backers say the store’s affordability hinges on long‑term philanthropic underwriting, not just a burst of start‑up cash. The Crankstart Foundation, founded by Harriet Heyman and Michael Moritz, is providing the operating commitment that organizers say will cover rent, wages and utilities so Sunnydale Market can keep prices well below standard retail levels. Mercy Housing’s leasing and market materials for the Sunnydale development identify roughly a $5.5 million grocery retail gap in the neighborhood and note that the landlord prefers a tenant capable of accepting SNAP/EBT and WIC, which fits the planned model for the store; see Crankstart Foundation and Mercy Housing.
Why The Neighborhood Needs It
Organizers point to longstanding food‑access problems in Sunnydale, including low median household income, limited car ownership and the absence of nearby full‑service grocery options, as the core reasons for pursuing a nonprofit model. Pastor Sonya Brunswick, who has lived in Sunnydale since the 1960s, told gala attendees the community has “seen grocery stores come and go” and said that having a market that stays would signal that the neighborhood is truly being valued, according to reporting on the announcement. Supporters argue that the mix of community engagement, an experienced retailer and long‑term philanthropic backing could set this effort apart from past failed attempts.
18 Reasons already runs cooking and nutrition programs in the Mission and has been doing community‑based work in Sunnydale’s public‑space hub. The organization says it will use that on‑the‑ground outreach to help shape the store’s inventory and programming. Local developers and Mercy Housing have been trying to land a small grocer for the HOPE SF retail parcels for years, and Mercy Housing’s packet makes the business case for a neighborhood‑anchoring market. Organizers say they will keep up community engagement and shopper studies as construction and permitting advance; if the partners secure a lease and the funding remains intact, Sunnydale Market could open its doors in late 2027.
