SF ice cream shop faces backlash after contesting competition's permit

( Ian Dooley / Unsplash )

By Olivia Wynkoop

(SAN FRANCISCO) Jason Yu spent $200,000 trying to open up an ice cream shop in the city. He shared how bureaucratic red tape crushed his dreams to the San Francisco Chronicle, and readers found his story both relatable and heartbreaking.

“This became a nightmare project,” Yu told the publication. “For sure I will not try to do anything in San Francisco. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Sharky Laguana, president of the city's small business commission, and other local figureheads shared their grievances on Twitter.

Supervisor Matt Haney even called for a hearing on opening small businesses on Tuesday, according to Heather Knight, who published the original article.

“Colleagues...I think we have all read the Chronicle article last week about Jason Yu’s effort to open an ice cream shop,” Haney said.

Garden Creamery, an ice cream shop neighboring Yu's potential location, is facing heat after more information revealed that it contested his permit and complained to the Planning Commission. Ultimately, their appeal didn't pass and they weren't entirely responsible for Yu's failed business, but it was a roadblock.

The shop's Yelp reviews are currently disabled after receiving a slew of now-deleted, negative reviews. Twitter followed in suit, calling for a boycott.

“People are going to great depths to smear and slander us and our business. As a small business, we’re huge proponents of supporting other small businesses and pop-ups of all different ethnic backgrounds,” owner Erin Lang told the Chronicle. “We feel badly for Jason having to endure this — we really do, just as we do all the many small-business owners who go through this unending maze of inspections and delays.”

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow