COMMUNITY-SERVING RETAIL
Mercy Housing, alongside the Chinatown Community Development Center, has heard from the community about the need for neighborhood-serving retail. Our goal is to create a vibrant mix of commercial spaces that meets these needs while also ensuring financial success for business owners.
APPLY
Do you have a small business that would be a great fit for the East Cut? We'd love to get to know you.
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STEP 1:
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STEP 2: Receive the electronic application from the Mercy team and a personalized folder for submission. Application will include details on the conditions of the space and more information.
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STEP 3: Submit the full application by Monday, August 11​
TIMELINE
Applications Due
Monday, August 11, 2025
Take care to submit all parts of the application
Selected Applicants Notified
September 15
The Development team may have follow-up questions for you after reviewing your materials - please watch your email
Signed Letters of Intent (LOI) due from Selected Businesses
Late October
The Development team will work with you on this process
Leases Signed
Early 2026
Draft leases and terms will be negotiated after LOIs are signed
Spaces Available for Tenant Improvement (TI) Buildout
Spaces A, B, C: February 2026
Spaces D, E: Spring / Summer 2026
The East building will finish construction 5-6 months after the West building, so these spaces have a slower occupancy timeline
Spaces available for move-in
When Tenant Improvement Buildout is complete.
We look forward to your grand opening!
Retail A
1,409 sq ft
Est. Rent: $3,875
Type 1 Hood config.
Intended for a restaurant
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Retail B
905 sq ft
Est Rent: $2,489
Type 2 Hood config.
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Retail C
619 sq ft
Est Rent: $1,702
Type 2 Hood config.
Retail D
756 sq ft
Est. Rent: $2,079
Type 2 Hood config.
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Retail E
1,189 sq ft
Est Rent: $3,270
Type 2 Hood config.
LEASE & USES
Five retail spaces are split across two buildings: Transbay 2 East and West. All anticipated rents are $2.75 / sq foot and all leases will be triple net. Tenant improvement allowances will be discussed during the application process.
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Uses we are most interested in include...
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A restaurant, snack shop, bakery, or similar
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Family- and kid-serving ones (bookstore, programming, bike shop, etc.)
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Affordably-priced options
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Businesses open after 6 PM
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We're also open to your idea about what would be a great fit for the East Cut community!
TENANT GOALS
We are looking for community-serving businesses that...
Are interested in locating in an affordable housing building
Can offer affordable prices to customers
Are welcoming & inclusive
Can contribute to neighborhood activation
Consider hiring locally
Want to support a healthy, vibrant neighborhood
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Free support for business plans and operating questions
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Translation services available
Helping small businesses through training, consulting, and access to capital.
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Spanish support offered
Funding programs and counseling, as well as connections to lenders and community groups
1
Completed retail application & required attachments
2
Business plan, including marketing strategy, operations plan, financial plan, products & prices
3
Business owner resume(s)
4
Photos of goods or services, & any press
5
60-second video pitch