In 2022, Karla Garcia’s small business was on life support.
Bri’s Creations, a small bakery operating on the ground floor of a Mission Housing-owned building on 24th Street in San Francisco was founded in the Mission District 10 years ago by Karla Garcia.
With Covid-19 finally relinquishing its stronghold on the community, Garcia’s business still found itself struggling with licensing and rent. She witnessed firsthand how the pandemic forced numerous neighboring businesses to close and feared Bri’s slow sales and niche offerings would force hers to follow suit.
But Mission Housing was ready to provide vital support in hopes of ensuring Bri’s Creations did not lose its chance to stay open in San Francisco. Mission Housing’s Asset Management team met with Karla and informed her of the opportunities available to business owners like her.
“My business couldn’t survive without (Mission Housing),” Karla said. “Mission Housing has been everything for me because I would not be able to afford running my business from here.”
Bri’s is Garcia’s brick and motor bakery, selling custom cakes and delicious French pastries. A portion of its sales support free baking classes for domestic violence survivors. It’s just another example of how Mission Housing’s commercial tenants enhance the lives of those living in the neighborhood.
“Mission Housing helped me secure the proper licenses for my business, and I’m really grateful,” Karla said as she shared some of the challenges that loomed over her business in early 2022.
Preparing for better days, the artisanal bakery looks forward to expanding the classes offered to domestic violence victims, having a larger footprint in the community, and a long stretch as a Mission Housing tenant.
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