🍺 Chobani gets into... beer??

From Chobani to Anchor Brewing Co | Nintendo Set to Open 2nd U.S. Store in SF

Author

chrisnolansf
June 03, 2024

Today’s newsletter is 498 words - a 2.5-minute read (4-minute if you take your time…🐌)

Welcome back everyone!

Excited to have you join us: We’re Chris & Nolan (@chrisnolansf), and welcome to SF Whisper - a newsletter covering the most interesting business and local news of San Francisco.

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Anyways. Let’s get started -

From Chobani to Anchor Brewing Co

Betting on Better Yogurt

Twenty years ago, Turkish immigrant Hamdi Ulukaya made a bold bet on America's need for better yogurt. Investing $700,000 in a dilapidated dairy plant in upstate New York, he introduced Chobani Greek yogurt, which quickly grew from a niche market into a multibillion-dollar industry leader. Despite early skepticism and legal challenges, Chobani's success was driven by Ulukaya's innovative recipes and grassroots marketing. Today, Chobani stands as America's largest manufacturer of Greek yogurt, transforming the yogurt aisle and cementing Ulukaya's status as a food industry titan.

Reviving an Iconic Brewery

Now, Ulukaya is embarking on a new venture, aiming to revive San Francisco's historic Anchor Brewing Co. Following the brewery's closure, Ulukaya announced his purchase and plans to resume operations. Drawing parallels to his Chobani journey, Ulukaya is determined to breathe new life into the beloved brand, despite his lack of direct connections to San Francisco or the beer industry. With community support and a track record of successful turnarounds, Ulukaya's vision for Anchor Brewing promises to restore a cherished piece of the city's cultural heritage, potentially in time for a festive Christmas ale launch.

Nintendo Set to Open 2nd U.S. Store in SF

Get ready, San Francisco!

Nintendo is opening its second U.S. store right in Union Square. "Who doesn't love Nintendo? This is fantastic news for the city," said Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Boost for Union Square

"This is a great psychological and financial boost for Union Square," said Aaron Peskin, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. "It's a breath of fresh air showing Union Square is still vibrant and attractive."

Safety and Revival Efforts

Supervisor Peskin assured that the area is being made safer with increased law enforcement and on-site security from Nintendo. The Union Square Alliance has been actively pushing for more storefronts, with 32 new businesses recently opening in the area, including high-end retailers like Rolex and Patek Philippe.

Catch up on the latest:

  • Tech billionaires are building a new city (Link)

  • OpenAI, WSJ owner News Corp strike deal valued at over $250M (Link)

Today’s whisper:

LUNETTE opened yesterday in the Ferry Building. The original restaurant Nyum Bai (voted #5 out of the top 50 on Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants in 2018) closed 2 years ago, but chef Nite Yun is back!

Go grab some rice noodle soup & fried chicken before the lines get too long!