MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY OF SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY
VALIDATES THE VISION OF THE FOUNDERS

In 1952, five small business owners, led by Walter G. Jebe, Sr., got together in the back of Meyer Ladenheim’s shoe store on Clement Street to form a new organization created to protect, preserve and promote small business in San Francisco.

They named it the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations. Over the fifty-four years the Council has been in existence, it has distinguished itself by drawing together under its umbrella the disparate merchants associations in the neighborhood commercial districts in the City. Together they have advocated for street lighting, traffic control, parking, and legislation to improve the business climate in the City.

The Council has repeatedly brought small business owners to City Hall to testify and advocate for and against changes that would affect the conduct of business in San Francisco. They were among the leaders who successfully campaigned to establish a Chartered Small Business Advisory Commission. It was a leader in the fight against Proposition K in 2004, a tax measure that would unfairly impose a gross receipts tax on all businesses in San Francisco regardless of their industrial codes.

One of its more creative ideas was a universal credit card. Years ago, many merchants gave credit to their regular customers and would keep the receipts on bits of paper in a drawer until they could collect on what was due them. Jebe and his cohorts thought that a credit card, like most department stores encouraged, would be a good idea. Obviously, it was.

They proceeded to write letters explaining their idea to all the banks in San Francisco. Only the Bank of America responded and the BankAmericard was born. Through evolutions and mergers that card became a big moneymaker --VISA.

The Council continues to work with its local merchant association members to assist them in resolving problems with the influx of chain stores, building parking lots and garages, altering parking meter timing to accommodate shoppers, and encouraging new retail businesses to set up shop in San Francisco’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Many past presidents are still active in the business community. Walter G. Jebe, Sr., 1975, is a founding member and President Emeritus. Harry J. Aleo, president in 1965/66, is an active member of the Board of Directors. Other past presidents whose names are a recognized force in the business community of San Francisco are Rolf D. Mueller, 2000, Chris Dittenhafer, 1999, George Patterson, 1997, Darshan Singh, 1995/96, David Sahagun, 1993/94, Harold Hoogasian, 1991/92, Stephen Cornell, 1989/90, Bruce Lilienthal, 1985/86, Alessandro Baccari, 1976/77 and Irwin :Phillips, 1959.

This article was written by Pat Christensen, an independent writer in the Inner Sunset, who serves on the Board of the Council.  She is also the President of the Small Business Network.