Small businesses are part of the fabric of our neighborhoods. Dean is the only former small business owner on the Board of Supervisors. He was previously a co-owner of Cafe Du Nord, an historic music venue in San Francisco. On the board, Dean has been a leader in fighting for small businesses.

• Early supporter of the shared spaces program

• Passed local ordinance to prevent eviction of businesses during the pandemic

• Passed a first-in-the-nation law to forgive back rent for small businesses that were completely shut down during the pandemic

• Launched the first crime victim assistance program for small businesses, with grants for vandalized small businesses, piloted in District 5 and then expanded citywide

• Partnered with D5 merchant and neighborhood associations to pass an ordinance to waive signage and awning fees to support small business corridors 

• Nominated ten D5 businesses to San Francisco’s legacy business registry