APEC Security Dampens San Francisco Downtown Business, Owners Seek Aid
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Downtown San Francisco businesses like bars and dispensaries are seeing mass cancellations and dropoffs in customers due to APEC security preparations.
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Business owners had hoped APEC would bring a boost but are now anticipating major revenue losses, with some bars seeing 90% fewer customers.
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The enhanced security is leading many locals to avoid downtown, while APEC attendees are mainly staying in their hotels.
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Small business owners want the city to provide financial aid to offset APEC losses, as promised in a recent nonbinding resolution.
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The full impact is still unclear, but owners say coordination and messaging could have helped businesses capitalize instead of shutting down.