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Mixed rulings on Ola’s Exotic Coffee permits: Taylor appeal denied, Leavenworth permit granted
Summary
The Board of Appeals upheld DPW’s denial of Ola’s mobile‑food permit for 2701 Taylor (appeal denied, 3–2) but overturned DPW and granted the permit for 2801 Leavenworth (board overturned, 4–1). The decisions turn on whether products constitute 'like food' and on procedural/due‑process questions and police safety input.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals issued split decisions on appeals brought by Ola’s Exotic Coffee & Tea, a vendor that sought mobile‑food permits for locations on Taylor Street and Leavenworth Street.
At 2701 Taylor (appeal no. 11‑145), appellant Shasha (Shawsha) Lewis argued her cart primarily sells packaged African coffee beans and tea boxes and that her offering — she testified the non‑brewed items constituted about 90% of sales — is distinct from nearby businesses. The Department of Public Works, which had denied the permit after neighborhood notification and a hearing, told commissioners…
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