Small business owners in Daly City voiced urgent concerns during the Small Business Commission meeting on November 14, 2024, as they face the potential loss of their leases to a car dealership. Christina Cantara, a local business owner with two decades of experience, highlighted the threat posed by a South San Francisco dealership seeking to expand into their commercial complex.

Cantara passionately urged city officials to prioritize small businesses over larger corporations in development decisions. "We hope that Daly City prioritizes small businesses over big companies when evaluating plans for development," she stated, emphasizing the importance of these businesses to the community. The complex is home to several minority and women-owned businesses, including Taste of Burma and Shine Thai, which have become integral to the local economy.

City officials reassured Cantara and other business owners that there is currently no pending application from the dealership to change the use of the property. The area is zoned for commercial use, and any expansion by the dealership would require a discretionary use permit, which involves review by the planning commission and city council.

The commission acknowledged the need to support local businesses and pledged to explore options to engage with landlords to secure their interests. "We will follow up on this and see what we can do," a commission member assured, signaling a commitment to protecting the livelihoods of small business owners in Daly City.

As the lease expiration approaches, the future remains uncertain for these businesses, with Cantara warning that relocation could lead to closures and job losses. The meeting underscored the critical role of small businesses in the community and the ongoing challenges they face in a rapidly changing economic landscape.