San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA -- Mayor London N. Breed today joined City leaders and workers from the Civic Center area to celebrate the opening of beloved San Francisco eatery Limoncello’s new outpost in the Civic Center Plaza café kiosk. This event builds on the City's efforts to enliven the area, which began last fall with the creation of a popular skatepark and a full roster of fitness classes and concerts in neighboring UN Plaza.

The Italian deli, grocery, and café—a neighborhood favorite in Pacific Heights and the Mission District—will begin serving pizza, sandwiches, and gelato at its third location today. With a backdrop of City Hall and an outdoor gathering space next to the Helen Diller Playgrounds, Limoncello is the latest addition to the Civic Center area's revitalization.

The opening coincides with a larger day of celebration in the Civic Center area, including the unveiling of the Dr. Maya Angelou Monument.

"Our parks and open spaces are so vital to our neighborhoods and a significant resource for San Francisco families and kids, residents and visitors,” said Mayor London Breed. “The investment we have made into revitalizing the Civic Center area, including UN Plaza, is good for the surrounding neighborhoods and it is great to see people from everywhere enjoying these amenities. Now with Limoncello moving into the cafe kiosk, we have more to feature in this area that serves so many people.”

Through coordinated multi-agency efforts to strengthen public safety, enhance streetscaping and maintenance, and provide programming in a safe environment, there has been a 70% drop in daytime drug-related incidents at UN Plaza over the last 10 months compared to 2022-2023.

Adjacent to renovated UN Plaza is Heart of the City Farmers Market where summer crowds have exceeded last fall's average when it first moved to Fulton Plaza. The monthly SF Vintage Market attracted 1,600 visitors just last month alone. Additional plans for Fulton Plaza include an array of color-changing lights by local light artist Josh Hubert.

San Francisco Recreation and Parks has partnered with various organizations including Civic Center CBD, Urban Alchemy, San Francisco Public Library, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Parks Alliance among others. These partnerships have transformed Civic Center areas with entertainment programming drawing visitors. Stepped-up street cleaning by San Francisco Public Works alongside increased safety patrols have also contributed significantly.

“Limoncello’s arrival at Civic Center Plaza is another fantastic addition to ongoing transformation,” said Phil Ginsburg General Manager at San Francisco Recreation & Park Department.“Through partnerships & programming we've created vibrant welcoming environments where food culture fun come together."

Jelal Heydari opened Limoncello initially back in Pacific Heights during 2016 followed by another branch within Mission neighborhood circa 2022; His community warmth alongside fresh local ingredients attracted loyal customers across citywide locales. At today's inaugural event hosted appreciation party dedicated towards field crews/first responders stationed around vicinity areas.

“We love being part this city seeing renewed energy fun activities presented opportunity serve people unique park venue,” stated Jalal Heydari owner/operator behind Limoncello operations.“I’m excited grateful all support family/customers/city/CivicCenterCommunityBenefitDistrict proud contribute vibrant atmosphere”

Limoncello located @52 Grove Street operating Mondays through Saturdays between hours spanning eight morning till six evening timeframes respectively; Initial kiosk itself commenced functioning October eighteen underpinned via thirteen million dollar donation sourced courtesy Helen Diller Family Foundation contributions accordingly

Weekend activities follow suite: Friday indie rock band Portugal The Man performing free concert Downtown plazas produced Another Planet Entertainment meanwhile Saturday features "Back To The Plaza" skateboarding competition held UNPlaza while concurrent SF Vintage Market occupies adjacent FultonPlaza concluding artwalk stretching four blocks along nearby MarketStreet thoroughfare spanning both weekend days cumulatively

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