Mama’s Boy Pizza and a Yemeni Cafe Head to Irving Street as Inner Sunset Fund Names 28 Grant Recipients

Two empty storefronts on Irving Street in the Inner Sunset have tenants lined up, and 20 more businesses on the corridor are getting money for signs, murals and lighting. The nonprofit SF New Deal announced 28 grant recipients from its Inner Sunset Neighborhood Vibrancy Fund on Thursday, October 22, 2026, The San Francisco Standard reported.

The fund launched in July with about $300,000 from Inner Sunset neighbors, according to The Standard. Nearly 100 businesses applied. Grants run from $5,000 to $20,000.

Mama’s Boy Pizza at Ninth and Irving

Mama’s Boy Pizza, an Oakland slice shop, is taking over the former Reliable Rexall pharmacy at 801 Irving St., on the corner of Ninth Avenue. The pharmacy closed in early 2025 and the space sat empty for almost two years, Mission Local reported in September. The shop sells New York-style slices, which Mission Local listed at $5 to $7. Both outlets put the opening in spring 2027; Mission Local said the owners were still starting on permits.

The Standard says the lease is supported by the Vibrancy Fund and SF New Deal.

403 Coffee, a Yemeni cafe at Fifth and Irving

403 Coffee is going into 403 Irving St., the former Shin Dig event space, which had been vacant for about six years. It is run by the Munsar family, who also own KJ Produce across the street. The 1,200-square-foot space received a $20,000 leasing grant for interior design and materials, per The Standard.

Mission Local reported on October 8 that the cafe plans a full coffee bar, pastries from local bakeries, baklava made from the family’s recipe and grab-and-go meals, and will stay open as late as 10pm. It will not serve alcohol. The opening date is not settled: The Standard reported a December target, while Mission Local’s earlier report said early 2027.

The beautification grants

Twenty recipients between Fifth and 19th avenues are getting beautification money for items such as murals and lighting. The Standard named Peasant Pies, San Francisco Women Artists, The Game Parlour, Luke’s Local Grocery and Green Apple Books on the Park among them.

When the fund opened, the Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon listed three tracks: up to $10,000 for storefront improvements such as signage, awnings and lighting, up to $5,000 for technical help such as marketing and online sales, and up to $20,000 to fill vacant storefronts. Eligible businesses sit between Fifth and 19th avenues, from Lincoln Way to Kirkham Street. A community panel with members of the Inner Sunset Park Neighbors and the Inner Sunset Merchants Association reviewed applications, and SF New Deal made the final picks. The group has said it hopes to repeat the model in other neighborhoods if the pilot works.

Other changes on the corridor

Planning Department records show BMO Bank has applied for formula retail approval to take the former Bank of America space across Ninth Avenue, The Standard reported; that application is under review. Poke Origin at 716 Irving St. closed on October 1 when its lease ended, according to Mission Local.

Getting there

The N Judah stops at Irving Street and Ninth Avenue, the corner where Mama’s Boy Pizza is going in. Irving Street runs one block south of Lincoln Way and Golden Gate Park. For more on the area, see our guide to the Sunset and our cross-park walk through Golden Gate Park.

Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. The Reliable Rexall storefront at Ninth Avenue and Irving Street, photographed in 2009.