Bolstered by local shoppers, 24th St. tops Mission District's economic recovery

"The Mission District's 24th Street is the top-growing business strip in the neighborhood post-pandemic, according to quarterly sales tax data released by the city. Mission Local analyzed sales tax numbers from January 2018 to December 2025 for 24th Street, as well as three other commercial corridors in the Mission: Valencia Street, Mission Street and 16th Street."

"The recovery of 16th, Valencia, and Mission streets has lagged behind 24th Street - sales are stubbornly flat on Valencia and Mission, and slightly up on 16th Street. Both 16th and 24th streets still have fewer total sales than either of the other two main corridors, however."

"Locals and city officials from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the Planning Department attributed the strength of 24th Street to its part in the Calle 24 Cultural District, which offers programming like Fiesta de las Americas, Dia de los Muertos and Lover's Lane. Moreover, it generally serves neighborhood locals and is less dependent on tourism."

""When that happens, you are less prone to the effects of the economy because you're not relying on other people coming in," said Santiago Lerma, former legislative aide to former District 9 supervisor Hillary Ronen. Erick Arguello, one of the founders of the Calle 24 Cultural District, said that 24th Street has always had smaller, cheaper storefronts that cater to the people who live around them."

Quarterly sales tax data show 24th Street has become the top-growing commercial corridor in the Mission District after the pandemic. Sales recovery on 16th, Valencia, and Mission streets has lagged, with Valencia and Mission remaining flat and 16th Street only slightly higher. Total sales on 16th and 24th streets are still lower than on Valencia and Mission. City officials and local stakeholders attribute 24th Street’s strength to its role in the Calle 24 Cultural District, which provides events such as Fiesta de las Americas, Dia de los Muertos, and Lover's Lane. The corridor serves neighborhood residents more than tourists, reducing exposure to broader economic swings. Businesses also report foot traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels and face higher prices and changing consumer behavior.

Read at Mission Local