Cole Valley Merchant Walk

Join us for our Cole Valley Merchant Walk!

Tucked between the Haight-Ashbury, Twin Peaks, and the Inner Sunset, Cole Valley is one of San Francisco's most quietly beloved neighborhoods, a compact, walkable corridor that has retained its village character since the streetcar era of the early 1900s. The main strip along Cole Street is just a few blocks long, but what it holds is remarkable: a tight-knit collection of independent businesses with deep roots, owners who know their neighbors, and a loyal community that keeps coming back.

Why Participate?

• Support Local Businesses: Contribute to the neighborhood's vitality by supporting local entrepreneurs.

• Network: Connect with fellow community members, business owners, and local artisans.

• Discover Hidden Gems: Uncover unique products and services you won't find anywhere else.

Space is limited, so register today!
 

Where We'll Visit:

3:00pm Wooden Coffeehouse | 862 Cole St. (Meet-Up)

A Cole Valley fixture since 2017, Wooden Coffeehouse takes its coffee seriously without being precious about it, and the rest of the place follows suit. Wooden decor, communal tables, and a quirky VHS collection make it the kind of corner spot where staying longer than you planned feels like the whole point.
 

3:25 pm The Ice Cream Bar | 815 Cole St.

A 1930s soda fountain tucked into Cole Valley, The Ice Cream Bar serves small-batch house-made ice cream alongside boozy fountain drinks and classic sundaes in a setting that feels genuinely pulled from another era. Everything from the ice cream to the bread is made in-house, with rotating flavors like banana puddin' and butterscotch sitting alongside adult options like the Cracked Cola and Dublin Honey.
 

3:45 pm Rising Star Laundry | 858 Cole St

A Cole Valley clothing boutique specializing in thoughtfully sourced pieces from small contemporary designers, with a lean toward Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. Independently owned and opened in 2024, it's the kind of shop where the edit is tight and everything on the rack is there for a reason.
 

4:10pm Simple Eco Market + Refillery | 915 Cole St

A Cole Valley neighborhood staple, Simple is a certified green business offering refillable and plastic-free products for the home and body, from cleaning supplies and laundry to facial care and hair care, with a strong emphasis on local makers and goods sourced close to home. Bring your own containers or grab one in store, and leave with everything you need and nothing you don't.
 

4:35pm Cole Hardware | 956 Cole St

A San Francisco institution since the 1920s, Cole Hardware has anchored the Cole Valley neighborhood for over a century as a family-owned, full-service shop carrying everything from tools and paint to plants and housewares. Certified as the first green hardware business in the United States, it's the kind of place where knowledgeable staff and a genuine commitment to the community keep neighbors coming back.
 

5:00pm Finnegans Wake | 937 Cole St (Reception)

A Cole Valley institution since 1976, Finnegans Wake is the kind of neighborhood bar that earns its place, with a legendary Bloody Mary, a sun-soaked back patio, and enough history in its walls to fill a novel. It occupies the former home of Maud's, San Francisco's first lesbian bar, and has spent decades becoming exactly what a local bar should be: unpretentious, welcoming, and genuinely worth the walk up Cole Street.

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