As May Day protests grow, some San Francisco businesses are closing while others stay open, weighing worker rights against revenue needs.
May Day in San Francisco is shaping up to be a test of priorities, with some businesses heeding calls for an economic blackout while others plan to remain open despite the growing protests.
In interviews captured by Misryoum. bar and café owners described the decision as a mix of political alignment and practical necessity.. Some. like Vesuvio Cafe. signaled they are generally politically engaged but said they cannot keep doing it when workers and businesses risk losing pay and income.. The tension reflects a broader question many storefronts are facing: whether closing is a powerful statement or an unrealistic demand.
This moment matters because it shows how protest politics can collide with everyday survival economics, especially for small employers trying to keep payroll steady.
Not everyone is choosing to shut down.. Misryoum reports that some business owners who previously closed for “No Kings” events are not planning to do so for May Day. citing concerns that closures would limit access for customers and reduce opportunities to experience local culture.. For arts and neighborhood businesses. staying open is framed not as opposition to workers’ rights. but as a commitment to keeping the community connected.
Still, other businesses across the Bay are taking part in the blackout.. Misryoum notes that Arizmendi Bakery locations in San Francisco and the East Bay are expected to close. as will the Oakland Museum of California.. In San Francisco’s Chinatown. Ed Sui plans to close his travel agency for at least part of the day. describing support for the cause alongside recognition that many small businesses have limited room to absorb lost sales.
In communities where businesses are often family-run, the decision to close can carry different stakes, turning May Day into both a political expression and an immediate financial calculation.
Chinatown merchants, in particular, face a high-pressure calendar in which Fridays and weekends can make a meaningful difference.. Misryoum reports that the majority of shops there are “mom-and-pop” operations that rely on steady foot traffic.. While some owners say they still consider the politics. others argue their business is more urgent. especially when customers are looking for places to spend their time and money.
The varying responses also highlight how protest efforts are evolving from broad public demonstrations into localized decisions made at the counter, the register, and the door. For residents, the day may look different depending on where they go, even within the same city.
Ultimately, how businesses respond can shape the tone of a protest day itself, influencing whether May Day feels like a unified shutdown or a patchwork of choices across the neighborhoods where people live and work.