SAN FRANCISCO – While world leaders gathered for a week of discussions during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, local San Francisco businesses felt the impact of heightened security measures and street closures during the summit.
Celine Nasser-Elddin, owner of a business in the security zone near the Moscone Center, expressed relief that the summit was over. She said her store has seen a sharp drop in business activity this week, and Wednesday was the coldest day since it reopened after the pandemic.
“We had a full three weeks of stock in the store,” she said, “but there’s still a lot of stuff that hasn’t sold.” I’m hoping we’ll get some business back after they leave.
Steven Martinez, manager of Bota’s Restaurant in Union Square, had similar concerns, noting that the street closures have severely impacted the restaurant’s traffic.
“The APEC restaurant itself is very quiet. The APEC restaurant itself is very quiet, not a lot of traffic, but the hotel portion is sold out,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Martinez also noted a positive change in the city’s atmosphere due to heightened security measures during the summit.
“It’s definitely cleaner and feels safer,” he said.” It’s something that should have happened a long time ago, and it would be great if it could stay that way.
London Mayor Ed Blidell acknowledged the difficulties faced by local businesses during the summit, but also highlighted the positive impact of recent legal decisions in tackling homelessness.
“Thank you,” he said, “for your patience and understanding.” With 21 leaders from 21 economies, the amount of heightened security required was unlike anything we have ever experienced before.
As the city prepares for the holiday season, business owners are hopeful that commerce will return to normal.
“During the holidays,” Martinez said, “people will start shopping, dining and skating here.” We are utilizing the rink for some marketing to attract customers.
Nasser Eldin expressed the same sentiment, saying, “The holidays are exciting. People come to San Francisco to see the decorations, shop and enjoy the holiday spirit. For us, it’s the best time of the year.
While the APEC Summit has created some temporary challenges for San Francisco businesses, San Francisco is now looking forward to the holiday season and the opportunity to welcome visitors from around the world.