Republika is a non-profit venture designed to jump-start economic activity and public awareness of SOMA Pilipinas, a Filipino cultural districted created by the City of San Francisco in 2016. Republika is part of a multi-prong strategy to build a thriving new commercial corridor in the SOMA Pilipinas cultural district. We envision incubating a batch of innovative retail concepts, award-winning restaurants, and neighborhood serving businesses that are culturally relevant, financially resilient, and adaptable to the market needs of all San Franciscans.
This dynamic space will serve as the canvas for a new wave of entrepreneurs as they define the future of Filipino-American culture.
Community, Commerce, & Culture
As the cornerstone of this new movement, Republika SF will function as an incubator for innovative retail concepts and food pop-ups that will preserve Filipino cultural identity and community.
Repurposing existing material from the space, the design will be resourceful like the Filipino people. Vibrant graphics in the storefront will draw visitors into the space and help activate the neighborhood. Framed layered panels will highlight the history of SOMA Philipinas while retail pop-ups border the perimeter of the space.
The juxtaposition of sari-sari meets minimalist will inform the bar and food stall, the central hub that will draw visitors to the back of the space, encouraging interaction and engagement.
Pop-ups are a proven and affordable way to test the market, tweak the concept, and grow businesses.
Pop Up Program
This model has a successful history of improving low-income areas and providing low- and moderate-income residents with a pathway to become successful business owners.
Retailers begin with Short-Term Engagements (1-3 months). When there has been a track record of success and interest from the general public in the business, entrepreneurs can move onto a Medium-Term Engagement (3-6 months) which can eventually lead to a permanent brick-and-mortar establishment.
Businesses featured in the pop-up program will benefit from Kultivate Labs partnership with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. In 2017 Kultivate Labs and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center were awarded a grant from the SOMA Stabilization grant to provide intensive 1:1 consulting to businesses in the areas of branding, marketing, finance, operations, legal, and more.
History and Timeline
April 2016
The SOMA Pilipinas cultural district is created in San Francisco. One of the main strategizes to bring the district to life is to create a corridor of Filipino businesses.
November 2019
The Filipino community raises ~$60,000 to bring Republika life. A business incubator that will be the evolution of the popular UNDSCVRD Night Markets to help build SOMA Pilipinas commercial corridor.
December 2019
The City of San Francisco issues a 8 year lease for a 3,600 sq ft space for the Republika Project.
April 2020
Fast Company awards Republika a Social Innovation award.
December 2020
COVID delays forces the build-out of Republika to be pushed out till Summer 2022. To activate the space, a pop-up artist studio called Balay Kreative is created in the space.
January 2021
The SOMA CAC funding body votes to start a $500k procurement process to start the build-out of Republika.
July 2021
The SF Arts Commission and Community Vision award Republika $150,000 grant towards it’s build-out.
October 2021
Republika launches a “window shop” pop-up concept to build brand awareness and combat urban blight.
Activating the Space
Until Republika opens, we'll be hosting a series of pop-up's to the lead-up. Our first pop-up is a "Window Shop" concept where we activate vacate storefronts with a curated display of retail items from the Filipinx maker world, while at the same time, tell stories of Filipino culture.
863 Mission is currently hosting the Balay Kreative Studios pop-up to activate the space while we get ready for construction.
