Endangered Bernal Heights Butcher Shop Avedano’s Will Stay Open | Eater SF

"I’ve run Avedano’s Holly Park Market on Cortland Avenue for 12 years, a queer-owned shop known for sustainable meat CSAs, panino sandwiches, butchery classes, and cheeky T‑shirts reading “We put the butch in butcher” and “I like pork butt and I cannot lie.” After my landlord more than doubled the rent the shop faced closure by the end of June, and though a wealthy anonymous business partner has stepped in to ensure we can make rent each month, that kind of rescue makes me uncomfortable — “the plan shouldn’t be to have rich people save us,” and I’m frankly ashamed I got saved. We’ll close for a few months for a building remodel and reopen in September with new intention, partnering with Off the Grid to reach more customers and to show why supporting small farms is crucial, because “we’re in a fight for our food systems and Amazon is winning.” I don’t blame the new landlord — the building hadn’t been sold since 1955 and he’s recouping higher property taxes — but I’m frustrated with local government for not protecting small businesses, disappointed with San Franciscans who talk about sustainable food yet buy cheaper commodity meat, and I want the city to consider bold solutions like commercial rent control so others don’t have to be saved by the wealthy." - Caleb Pershan