No More Chains in the Mish, Bernal

Following up on the 2006 approval of Prop G, which places incoming chain stores through a rigorous boot camp-like permit process, both the Mission and Bernal Heights are hoping to ban such shops. While North Beach and Hayes Valley's business owners love living a franchise-free existence, others in the city are expressing concerns that such bans may be harmful to overall urban development: SPUR's economic policy director, Agon Terplan, has suggested possible effects including longer storefront vacancies and harm to local businesses that seek to grow. We love many the small shops, bodegas, and boutiques that line Valencia Street. Our only beef? Howsabout somebody open before noon, huh? [SF Examiner]