Square and Block Strengthen San Francisco Presence with Corner Store's Return and Community Programming

Block’s merchant services division, Square, has made a significant strategic move by renewing its Corner Store lease in the Mission District, securing its position at 1100 Valencia Street. This renewal underscores the company’s commitment to neighborhood-driven commerce and community engagement. Square is launching an expanded BIGFACE Coffee residency, a partnership designed to amplify foot traffic for local businesses while reinforcing ties between the payment platform and the Mission’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

A Hub for Local Economic Growth

Since its May 2025 debut, the Corner Store has functioned as a critical gathering point for neighborhood commerce and cultural exchange. The venue has become more than a physical space—it serves as a strategic catalyst for connecting Square’s merchant network with local vendors and business owners. Throughout 2025, the Corner Store facilitated the processing of over 20,000 daily transactions across the Mission District. Perhaps more tellingly, neighborhood transaction volumes surged 10 percent year-over-year in the latter half of 2025, demonstrating that targeted community investments translate directly into measurable economic gains for local sellers.

BIGFACE Coffee: Proof of Concept

The 2025 BIGFACE pop-up served as a proof-of-concept for the Corner Store’s ability to drive tangible business results. During the two-week activation, sales throughout the Mission grew 11 percent—evidence that a well-executed residency program can energize an entire neighborhood’s commercial landscape. Building on this success, Square is extending the BIGFACE partnership through spring, offering curated programming including signature coffee beverages with custom infusions, monthly spotlights celebrating San Francisco small businesses, neighborhood-focused customer support sessions, exclusive menu discounts for local business leaders, and in-store events featuring industry voices and community leaders.

Scaling the Model in 2026

Square is planning to introduce additional Corner Store residencies and programming throughout 2026, each designed to feature and amplify emerging local businesses in new ways. This expansion reflects Block’s broader vision of investing in San Francisco’s neighborhoods and supporting local commerce through major cultural and sporting moments. The company views the Corner Store model as replicable—a template for fostering direct relationships between its payment infrastructure and the entrepreneurs who rely on it.

The Mission District initiative represents a shift in how fintech companies engage with communities. Rather than serving merchants solely through digital interfaces, Square is creating physical anchors where commercial relationships deepen and neighborhood economies gain visibility and support. The data speaks clearly: when payment platforms invest in local spaces and programming, the resulting economic activity benefits everyone from vendors to customers to the broader community ecosystem.