Last year, when my partners and I formed our consultancy, we knew we wanted an office to be somewhere special. Somewhere that we’d be proud to bring our clients — somewhere that really meant “San Francisco.”
We found that space in Union Square.
But coming here every day isn’t just about our office. It’s about seeing residents, visitors, and shoppers, hearing a half-dozen languages from across the globe, and feeling like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. The intensity of working in the heart of The City is energizing.
With the recent news that Macy’s will close in the coming years, there’s a lot of talk about what’s happening. Sometimes, when I tell people that our office is in Union Square, they squint like they ate something sour and say, “How’s that?”
Whenever that happens, I know those people who haven’t spent any time here. Some people can be quick to jump to the apocalyptic narrative, but the reality for those of us who are in Union Square couldn’t be more different.
The streets are clean, and busy, and safe — and when the sun is shining, it’s a warm, welcoming place to be. (Even when Karl is winning, it’s still beautiful.)
With the addition of Tyler Florence’s new café in the Square, there’s even more energy (and a great place to grab some roast chicken or a macaron). Special events constantly take over the plaza — whether it’s live music, the tulip festival, or holiday events, they remind us our office is in a special, vibrant place.
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There’s history in Union Square, and I think that’s a lot of what people felt when they heard the news about Macy’s.
But there’s also a future. The City is coming back, and we need to celebrate that. I worked in government for many years, and now I work in the private sector, and I’ve seen both sides. I’ve seen — and felt — the frustrations many share. But most of all, I’ve seen people working to support this city and rally around the idea and promise of San Francisco.
Progress is in the name of our firm — but it’s also who we are as a city. We believe in progress. Progress is not always easy, but ultimately, it is about embracing what’s possible. I think about that every time I walk down from my Nob Hill home to my Union Square office. I think about how lucky I am to live and work in a city where we believe in progress and possibility.
To those who revel in dumping on our city, have at it. We can’t stop you. But remember, there are more of us who love and care about The City and are invested in its future than there are naysayers throwing shade. We are the ones who are opening offices and coming down here every day, not the ones just commenting from the sidelines.
Union Square might be losing Macy’s, but that’s the nature of cities. They change, they evolve. Let’s treasure what’s great and welcome what’s next.
Will Reisman is a partner and co-founder of Progress Public Affairs, a Bay Area political advocacy and communications firm.
