Media Contact: DP&A, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE:
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024

Union Square is Officially Blooming

Area Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, and Merchants Burst With Floral Decor
in 3rd Annual Activation Celebrating District’s Floral History with
Wide Range of Events, and Bloom Passport.

WHO: The Union Square Alliance Presents

WHAT: Official Kick Off to 3^rd Annual
Union Square in Bloom Campaign including concert,
flower giveaway, and “Bloom Passport” unveiling

WHEN: Saturday, March 23 (3pm – 6pm)

WHERE: Union Square Plaza

WEB: www.visitunionsquaresf.com

WHY: Building off the momentum of Tulip Day, Union Square in Bloom, now in its third year, celebrates the district’s floral legacy with a modern twist. For decades, flowers, particularly daffodils, were handed out to visitors walking through Maiden Lane. Macy’s previously hosted its annual flower show, established in 1964, and several flower stands brightened up the district. Spring Fling Concert & Union Square in Bloom Passport Debut is the official 2024 Union Square in Bloom Launch Event, and one of five featured events during Union Square in Bloom that invites the community to commemorate the legacy of Union Square interwoven with the timeless allure of flowers and encourages visitors and locals to rediscover and patronize our vibrant, full-circle offerings of hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, theater, fashion, cuisine, nightlife, and beyond.

The 3^rd Annual Union Square in Bloom campaign kicks off withthe Spring Fling Concert & Union Square in Bloom Passport Debut.  Passport is a guide to over 40 oversized floral displays cascading from area hotels, restaurants, bars, and retail establishments in addition to a wide range of events celebrating arts, culture and nightlife, and cocktail offerings all combine to highlight Union Square’s rich floral history with a modern twist. This is the 3^rd year of the bright & festive campaign. Guests are invited to enjoy a live Vinyl DJ-Set, specialty floral cocktails from Tyler Florence’s Miller & Lux Provisions, and a flower giveaway. 1,800 flower stems will be available to take home (1 per person while supplies last in exchange for following @UnionSquareSF on social media) while supplies last. Union Square in Bloom is presented by Amazon, the Union Square Foundation, Union Square Alliance, the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Office of Mayor London N. Breed, and the Community Challenge Grants. Union Square in Bloom is just one of many activations throughout the year that support the vibrancy of Union Square and the greater downtown area. Bolstered by recent investments in public safety and visitor-centered ambassador programs, events like Bloom, Winter Walk, and last summer’s concert series continue to invite locals and visitors alike to visit Union Square and patronize downtown businesses.

San Francisco’s Union Square Plaza is conveniently located near the Powell Street BART station and directly on Muni’s T line. Visitors are encouraged to opt for public transportation and make a day of it in the Square. Book reservations now for lunch or dinner in one of Union Square’s spots. For more itinerary ideas, https://visitunionsquaresf.com/directory.

Passport Program: The Bloom Passport is a guide to exploring the many floral installations across the district. This guide will be unveiled both in physical and digital formats at the Spring Fling Union Square in Bloom event and available at visitunionsquaresf.com. Visit as many locations as possible between March 23rd to August 17th. Each location has a QR code. Scan the code to reveal a mystery word and jot it down in your passport. Return your passport at the Bloom Finale event August 17th for a chance to enter the raffle and win a $500-valued prize.

• 5 stops = 5 raffle ticket
• 10 stops = 10 raffle tickets
• 15 stops = 15 raffle tickets
• 20 stops = 20 raffle tickets
• 25 stops = 25 raffle tickets

The full list of businesses installing floral décor at their entrances, interiors, or in public spaces include: 77 Maiden Lane, 240 Stockton, 291 Geary Street, Axiom Hotel, American Conservatory Theater, Beacon Grand, Blake Charles Salon, Chancellor Hotel, CK Contemporary, Dirty Habit, Donatello, Flood Building, Gallery 44, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Hotel Adagio, Hotel Nikko, Hotel Zelos, Hotel Zeppelin, Iron Horse Cocktails, John Fluevog Shoes, J Roland Salon, John’s Grill, King George Hotel, Marriott Union Square, Moscone Center, The Parc 55, PLS on Post, Rae Studios, Samuel Scheuer Fine Linens, Taj Campton Place, The Barnes, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Clift Royal Sonesta, The Flood Building, The Grand Hyatt, The Handlery Hotel, The Inn at Union Square, The Marker SF, Ula Mediterranean Restaurant, and the Westin St. Francis Hotel.

The Union Square Foundation will be supporting a few surprising bursts of flowers in Union Square’s public space. Other sites include:

Maiden Lane gates, SFMTA Bus Stops, Union Square Garage sign, and the Union Square Plaza stage, and the “blooming” of a Cable Car courtesy of San Francisco Travel.

In addition, these businesses are offering floral-inspired cocktails:

E&O Kitchen and Bar, Corzetti, Campton Place Restaurant, Dirty Habit, Harlan Records, Hotel Adagio, Hotel Nikko, John’s Grill, King George Hotel, Marriott Union Square’s bin480, Parc 55’s Cable 55, Post Room at the Beacon Grand, Sool Bar, The Barnes Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Clift Royal Sonesta’s Redwood Room, Turn Cafe at the Axiom Hotel, Tratto at the Marker SF, Ula Mediterranean Restaurant, and Zingari Ristorante

Bloomies Awards: Visitors can vote for their favorite blooms on www.visitunionsquaresf.com between March 23 and August 2. Winning Union Square businesses will be highlighted at the finale event during the Bloomies award show on August 17th.

Press Kit: A wide selection of event images, logos and videos that can be used for b-roll purposes can be accessed here.

About the Union Square Foundation:
The Union Square Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization existing to establish a renewed ‘sense of place’ for the Union Square Area by supporting diverse artistic, cultural, and culinary programs and projects – and by cultivating a welcoming caring community for all humankind.

The Foundation provides critical support to both create and maintain a clean, safe, and beautiful environment that serves to enrich its public spaces for the enjoyment of San Francisco’s residents and visitors. Learn more at https://www.unionsquarefoundation.org.

About the Union Square Alliance:
The Union Square Alliance serves members and creates a high-quality visitor experience by managing and activating public spaces, attracting new investment, and advocating for the district’s future success. Union Square is the vibrant heart of San Francisco and an international destination where visitors come to enjoy exceptional retail experiences, luxury hotels, world-class cultural institutions, and great public spaces found only in the City by the Bay. A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square Alliance. It is bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street and the west by Taylor Street. For more information on the Alliance, go towww.visitunionsquaresf.com.

About The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development:
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development advances equitable and shared prosperity for San Franciscans by growing sustainable jobs, supporting businesses of all sizes, creating great places to live and work, and helping everyone achieve economic self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.oewd.org.

Union Square Statement

“Change is often sudden and uncomfortable before that change yields something new and positive,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “Union Square, and the entire downtown, is at an inflection point. That is exactly why I feel humbled to be part of the solution. We all need to do our part to preserve our historic, legacy businesses as much as possible and that includes shoppers who need to visit if they want their favorite businesses to stay.

The reasons behind these closings are multifaceted — major retail shifts, street safety challenges, changing foot traffic, and new work patterns post-pandemic — but so too are our solutions. It will take time for all of the plans we have been working on with our city partners over the last year and a half to bear fruit beyond the progress we’ve already made.

Zoning changes, the recently announced plans to upgrade Powell Street, the increased police and security presence and our ongoing clean and safe campaign all combine to make downtown and Union Square visibly more full and popular than it was a year ago. Our aggressive work to program the Square with new traditions like this week’s Tulip Day, this past Holiday Season’s Winter Walk, and our ongoing music series are all popular and generate much needed foot traffic. Also, there truly is a ‘bar boom’ and restaurant renaissance around the Square.

However, much more needs to be done, and the media has a role to play. Presenting a clear and balanced picture of what is actually happening on the ground is critical. Obviously, a store closing is news, but sensational stories don’t help. Frankly, there is as much good, forward looking, optimistic news as there is bad.”

media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

San Francisco’s Beloved Catch Restaurant
Announces Closure After Years of Service

Last Dinner Served Saturday, March 9, 2024

5 March 2024, San Francisco, CA: After 22 years of delicious service and community socializing, San Francisco’s iconic Catch Restaurant (2362 Market Street) will serve its last seafood stew and stir its last martini this Saturday, March 9, 2024.  Beloved by the local Castro community and beyond,  Catch owner Sanjay Gujral has decided to retire, marking the end of an era for the beloved dining spot known for its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional cuisine.

“Closing Catch is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” said Gujral. “This restaurant isn’t just a business to me. It’s a home, a family, and a legacy that I’m proud to have nurtured along with my incredible team over the years: behind the bar, on the floor, in the kitchen and of course, our loyal customers.”

Under Gujral’s stewardship, Catch Restaurant has flourished, earning accolades for its innovative dishes and the warmth of its hospitality.  Since its inception in 2007, Catch Restaurant has been a cornerstone of the community, celebrated for its commitment to quality, service, and the creation of unforgettable memories. Prior to becoming a restaurant, the site was historic for once having housed a camera shop for gay icon Harvey Milk. In later years, the building was the birthplace for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, where thousands of people over the years came in, free of charge, to sew quilts in honor of their loved ones who had died from the pandemic. After the NAMES Project moved into a larger facility, a section of Quilt continued to hang in the entry way to Catch as a permanent tribute, along with a memorial plaque. Additionally, prior to Gural’s successful readapting of the space, it housed Under One Roof: the world’s first retail outlet for AIDS relief.

“I’ve been so honored and grateful for this opportunity and the friendships made along the way, and to have help preserve the legacy of this space, especially for the  LGBTQ+ communities who were so impacted by HIV and AIDS,” Gujral reflected. “Our patrons and the community have been the heart of Catch. I thank each of you immensely for your support, patronage, and friendship throughout the years.”

Gujral also took a moment to express his deep appreciation for his staff, whose dedication and hard work have been integral to the restaurant’s success.

“The team at Catch has been nothing short of extraordinary,” he said. “Their passion and commitment have been the backbone of this establishment, and I am forever thankful for their hard work and the joy they’ve brought into this space.”

As Catch Restaurant prepares to close its doors, Gujral looks back with fondness on the journey and the legacy left behind. “Though it’s time for me to retire, the spirit of Catch will live on through the memories we’ve created together. This isn’t just the end of a restaurant. It’s a celebration of what we’ve built and the impact we’ve had on each other’s lives,” he concluded.