Square Extends Retail Store Lease in San Francisco, Strengthening Mission District Presence

Block’s merchant services division, Square, has secured a lease renewal for its Corner Store retail location in San Francisco’s Mission District at 1100 Valencia Street. This retail store lease marks Square’s continued commitment to maintaining a physical presence in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The extension signals the company’s confidence in the retail location as a strategic hub for engaging local business owners and building community connections.

Transforming Retail Spaces into Community Hubs

The Corner Store functions as more than just a retail storefront—it serves as a vital gathering point for neighborhood entrepreneurs and a catalyst for local economic activity. Since its opening in May 2025, the retail store has become known for bringing new customers to neighborhood businesses, hosting events and workshops for local entrepreneurs, and fostering meaningful relationships between Square and Mission District vendors.

Recognizing the retail space’s potential for community impact, Square is launching an expanded BIGFACE Coffee residency program. This retail programming initiative combines specialty coffee service with dedicated support for local San Francisco businesses. The BIGFACE concept transforms the retail store into a destination that drives foot traffic, boosts sales, and strengthens ties between Square and the broader business community.

Quantifying Economic Growth Through Retail Operations

The results from Square’s retail strategy speak for themselves. Throughout 2025, Square processed over 20,000 daily transactions in the Mission District, demonstrating the volume of economic activity flowing through the neighborhood. Even more impressive, neighborhood transaction volumes climbed 10% year-over-year in the latter half of 2025, offering concrete proof that Square’s retail presence and community investments directly generate economic growth for local sellers.

The impact became particularly evident during the BIGFACE Coffee activation in 2025. Over the two-week retail programming initiative, sales in the Mission District rose 11%, showcasing the model’s effectiveness at lifting the entire neighborhood’s economic performance. These results validate Square’s approach to blending retail operations with community engagement.

Expanding the Retail Programming Model into 2026

Riding the momentum of the successful BIGFACE pilot, Square is extending this retail residency program through April 12th and planning additional retail programming for 2026. The expanded offerings will include personalized coffee drinks with signature infusions, monthly in-store spotlights highlighting local San Francisco small businesses, dedicated “Neighborhood Hours” with Square’s customer support team, discounted menu items and exclusive perks for local business leaders, and in-store events featuring industry speakers and community voices.

This retail model reflects a broader strategic shift—Square is investing in physical retail spaces not merely as transaction points, but as anchors for neighborhood economic development. Following BIGFACE, the company plans to introduce additional retail store residencies and programming throughout 2026, featuring and amplifying other emerging local businesses. The strategy underscores Square’s commitment to investing in San Francisco’s neighborhoods and supporting businesses during major local, cultural and sporting moments in the year ahead.

Market Context and Broader Performance

Over the past few months through early 2026, Block’s stock performance has faced headwinds, with shares declining 15.6% compared to a 13.3% fall in the broader internet-software industry. Despite near-term market pressures, the company’s investments in neighborhood retail strategies and community programming represent a long-term vision for sustainable business growth and community economic development in major urban markets.

Square’s approach to retail space management and community programming demonstrates how physical retail locations can serve as powerful tools for driving local economic activity, building customer loyalty, and creating measurable business value—a model increasingly relevant as merchants seek integrated solutions connecting digital commerce with neighborhood presence.