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Our Journey

@sunsetcommons

Follow our journey!

Following up from our giveaway we hosted at the In Following up from our giveaway we hosted at the Inner Sunset Flea Market, we connected with our winner, Zefralyn, and met up at the store! Congratulations and we hope you enjoy building your very own chamomile flower 🌼🌼🌼 What flower would you pick?
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#sunsetcommonssf #craftcafe #sanfranciscocreatives #creativespaces #sfsmallbusiness #followourjourney #sfartsandcrafts #thirdspace #diycommunity #giveaway
3rd times the charm! While the store renovations c 3rd times the charm! While the store renovations came to a screeching halt, we set our sights on activities in our control, one of which is participating at the Irving Flea Market, 8 blocks away from our store! 
Our third pop-up wasn't perfect, but we definitely improved from the last two.

1☆ Setup was overall smooth, considering that there is only 2 of us this time. Was it perfect? No, we could have organized the sign and tag placements better, but we're honing in.

2☆ We used table covers, which hid all our ugly  boxes from view.

3☆ Our "coming soon" banner was solid and didn't constantly fall down like last time.

There are still things we can improve on, but we're happy to be in the community  and hear everyone's excitement our arts cafe. Shout out to those who came up and told us that they follow us on IG! We really appreciate your support and can't wait to invite you into the space!

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#sunsetcommonssf #craftcafe #sanfranciscocreatives #creativespaces #sfsmallbusiness #caferenovation #sfartsandcrafts #sfthirdspace #sfpopup  #followourjourney 

What are you most excited about?
We found out we needed to upgrade the entire ceili We found out we needed to upgrade the entire ceiling so that it is 2-hr fire rated. If a fire were to occur, we'd be able to slow it down by 2 hours and prevent it from spreading it to the residential units above. Unfortunately, we won't hit our goal of end of May opening, but we keep pushing forward. 

What challenge are you currently facing and how are you addressing it?
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#sunsetcommonssf #craftcafe #sanfranciscocreatives #creativespaces #sfsmallbusiness #caferenovation #sfartsandcrafts #followourjourney #thirdspace #diycommunity
Part 33 of taking you behind the scenes of our cra Part 33 of taking you behind the scenes of our craft cafe journey! Installing our own waterproof laminate flooring was a first for us- and countless youtube tutorials later, plus sweat and hours of kneeling, we have a beautiful foundation for all your creative moments!

Every DIY challenge (hello, tricky edge pieces!) brings us one step closer to opening our doors in SF. There's something magical about standing on floors you installed yourself and realizing your dream space is becoming real!

This craft cafe isn't just a business for us- it's a vision of a cozy community space where creativity flows as freely as the drinks.

What's a project that you've been working on for some time? Share your experience below!
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# craftcafejourney # smallbusinessBTS #sanfranciscocafe #DIYflooring #makers pace #sunsetcommonssf #creativecommunity
We did our third pop-up at the Inner Sunset Flea M We did our third pop-up at the Inner Sunset Flea Market last Sunday (reflection to follow)! 

Thanks to everyone who visited our booth, and congratulations to the winner of our giveaway, who will receive one of our handcrafted wooden DIY flower kits! 😊🌻🌹🌷

 Crafting is more than just a hobby - it's self-care, mindfulness, and creative expression, all rolled into one beautiful experience. That's the heart of what our upcoming crafts cafe is all about! 

What DIY project helps you relax and get creative? Share your crafting stories below!
We were going to use the existing outlets in the s We were going to use the existing outlets in the space. However, we found out that we needed dedicated circuits for the bigger items in our kitchen (ie. Fridge and microwave).

Given this requirement, we decided to add additional outlets throughout the room so you guys can charge your devices when you come over 😉😘

How important is outlet access to you when visiting a cafe? 
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#craftcafe #diycommunity #creativespaces
#thirdspace #craftandcreate
#sanfranciscocreatives #SFlocalbusiness #sfartsandcrafts #creativeconnections #sunsetcommonssf #followourjourney
#sfsmallbusiness #caferenovation #renovationproject
Cove bases are used as transition pieces between w Cove bases are used as transition pieces between walls and flooring. They feature a curved bottom so it’s easier to clean and dirt doesn’t get trapped at the seams. 

DPH had very specific requirements on the type of cove bases we could use, and they were surprisingly hard to find. Many stores did not have the item in stock and required special order to ship to the store. 

We finally found some at Best Tiles on Bayshore. We also double checked with our DPH inspector that the tiles we picked met DPH requirements. 

We’re so excited for you to see the kitchen area! It’s so beautiful 🥰

What are you most excited about? 
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#craftcafe #diycommunity #creativespaces
#thirdspace #craftandcreate
#sanfranciscocreatives #SFlocalbusiness #sfartsandcrafts #creativeconnections #sunsetcommonssf #followourjourney
#sfsmallbusiness #renovationproject #caferenovation
Being a small business owner is like being a rock Being a small business owner is like being a rock star. We have to be able to dance, sing, and play an instrument at the same time. Something I've been working at is networking. As an introvert, events like these drain my energy, and I have to hype myself up to go socialize, but I never regret going, and I'm happy I went to the first Sunset Small Business Expo! I was able to connect with other owners in the district and get connected to city resources. 

Thanks to @sfofficeofsmallbusiness , @joel_engardio , @offixedgesf , @outersunsetneighbors , and @coffeencreampress  for organizing a wonderful event! 

What's something that you've been putting off but you know will help you?

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#smallbusinessjourney #diyartsandcraftcafe #networking #creativespaces #sfsmallbusinessweek
We’ve been hard at work renovating the store the We’ve been hard at work renovating the store these past few months. To open a cafe in this space, we needed to install the necessary pipes and sinks (3-compartment sink, hand sink, and mop sink). 

One thing we learned from this experience was that the plumbing inspector needs to inspect twice:
(1) Rough-in plumbing inspection - to see the pipes behind the walls 
(2) Final inspection - to examine sink installation
What are you curious about? Let us know in the comments below.
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#craftcafe #diycommunity #creativespaces
#thirdspace #craftandcreate
#sanfranciscocreatives #SFlocalbusiness #sfartsandcrafts #creativeconnections #sunsetcommonssf #followourjourney
#sfsmallbusiness #caferenovation
I can't tell the difference between "shooting star I can't tell the difference between "shooting star" yellow and "Old World Romance" yellow, but luckily our friend, Callie, has an eye for colors and helped us out!
There's something really special about making some There's something really special about making something with your own hands. You never totally know how it's going to turn out. And honestly, that's part of the magic. It's not just about the final piece. It's about showing up, trying new things, and watching your ideas take shape. Each time you create, you're taking a risk, trusting yourself a little more. Even the mistakes teach you something. Bit by bit, art helps you believe in your own voice and your ability to bring something into the world that didn't exist before.That's where the confidence starts to grow.

Come along as we bring this space to life—a DIY arts cafe where creativity flows and confidence grows through hands-on making!
Watching Erin, our giveaway winner from the LNY fe Watching Erin, our giveaway winner from the LNY festival, build her Lilac flower kit made my day! From a pack of parts to something she made with her own hands- there’s magic in the making. If you’ve ever wanted to tap into that creative spark, this is your sign 🌟

Which flower would you build?
We ordered flooring 2 weeks ago and it arrived tod We ordered flooring 2 weeks ago and it arrived today! We were a bit worried that the
pallet wouldn't fit through the door, and we would have to unload it one by one and carry 1700 lbs of flooring inside.

With the tariffs wreaking havoc and seeing the volatility in the stock market, this progress brought some light to the week and we're excited to show you the renovation process! Follow along as we show you BTS of opening a craft café.

What are you most excited to see?
We weren’t sure if this pop-up would be a right We weren’t sure if this pop-up would be a right fit because it was focused more on business and networking. Would anyone be interested in our products? Our services? On top of that, this event was on a weekday night right around rush hour. However, I’m glad we went!

1️⃣ I got to meet so many inspiring women who were also working towards their dreams. 

2️⃣ I shook the mayor’s hand 😲

3️⃣ So many people were excited and supportive to hear about our DIY arts café!!
We've been honed in on the next steps after gettin We've been honed in on the next steps after getting the permit. We still have plumbing and electrical to do, but we're already planning what we'll do after- painting, floor, bookshelves, furniture!  There's still so much left to do and we thank you for your patience as we continue to push to grand opening! 

#diycafe #claymoo #onestepcloser #sfartsandcrafts #sfcrafts
After months of back and forth…we finally got th After months of back and forth…we finally got the last approval we needed to get our permit! 🤯🤩

We had to navigate different department requirements, address each of their feedback, and go through a lot of waiting. This was our first time getting a permit, and wow… what a learning experience. 

If you’re ever opening a brick-and-mortar space, here’s what we learned:

1️⃣ Allocate three times as much time as you think you’ll need. Trust me.

2️⃣ Be ready for a constant loop of feedback between yourself, your architect, engineer, and plan reviewers. It’s never just one and done.

3️⃣ Each department has its own set of requirements. Knowing them ahead of time can save you headaches. 

Huge thanks to the Office of Small Business and the Permit Office for guiding us through this. We couldn’t have done it without you! 

Now that we’ve got the permit…it’s time to bring this cafe to life! 🥳 

We can’t wait to invite you to our space!! #onestepcloser
Cross-stitching is like pixel art with thread- eac Cross-stitching is like pixel art with thread- each tiny X builds upon the last until a beautiful picture emerges, proving that small, consistent efforts create something amazing!

It's a relaxing and beginner friendly craft,  and you can use it to make decorative pieces, home decor, and even personalized gifts.

Want to learn?
3️⃣ tips for improving your crochet skills: K 3️⃣ tips for improving your crochet skills:

Keep Tension Consistent: Consistent tension is key to making your stitches even. Practice holding your yarn and hook in a way that feels comfortable, but also be mindful of how tight or loose you’re making your stitches. 

Use Stitch Markers: Stitch markers are a great way to keep track of your rows or rounds. Place them at the beginning of a row or in tricky spots to avoid losing your place, especially in patterns with increases or decreases.

Don’t Be Afraid to Unravel: Mistakes happen, and it’s okay to undo your work if it doesn’t look right. Take it as part of the learning process—“frogging” (ripping it out) is common, and sometimes it’s the best way to get things back on track.

Happy crocheting! 

What should we make next?
Getting a permit for our store was a reminder of j Getting a permit for our store was a reminder of just how much goes into getting a business up and running—and that the journey is far from straightforward. We often see the fun side of renovations and before-and-afters on social media, but behind the scenes, the permit process is a whole other story.

From coordinating with our architect, the landlord, and city departments, we’ve had to ensure our space meets everyone’s requirements—our needs, the landlord’s, and the city’s.

This whole experience also gave us a deeper appreciation for the work architects do and just how detail-oriented they must be.
We went to the Permit Office back in November to s We went to the Permit Office back in November to see what we needed to get our permit to operate. 

It was daunting because you hear how the permit process can take months on end, but when I got there, I was able to ask for help at the help desk. They put me in queue for Intake who identified the departments I needed approval from:

- Planning
- Fire
- Building
- Mechanical
- PUC
- Public Health

From there, I was able to make my rounds and get feedback back on our drawings. This process is definitely long, and we hit some roadblocks, but we keep pushing forward.
Sunset Commons

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