An Excelsior District mural, picture taken on July 16, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

“Excelsior Buzz” is a recurring column on changes, tidbits and news from the Excelsior. Got news? Send us tips at xueer@missionlocal.com.


Here’s a belated happy election week from your Excelsior reporter. 

Whatever you think of the election results, we can all probably agree on one thing: It’s a relief to have fewer political ads interrupting our games or filling up our mailboxes. 

Now, let’s take a breather and dive into this week’s Excelsior Buzz.

Two young women standing on a city sidewalk, one holding a stack of newspapers and an iced coffee, the other pulling a red hand truck stacked with bundles of newspapers.
Mission Local’s Xueer Lu and Rosina Boehm passing out our election coverage newspapers in the Excelsior District on Oct. 23, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

The next “From the E” night market is returning to the Excelsior on Friday, Nov. 20, at Ocean Avenue and Mission Street. 

The theme for this month’s night market features live music from La Gente SF, a San Francisco world music group, cumbia dance lessons and local bites.  

RSVP to enter the raffle. 

Two wrestlers perform a move in a ring during an outdoor match, surrounded by a crowd of spectators and city buildings.
Wrestlers were in the midst of a take down at the 2025 Excelsior night market on July 11, 2025. Photo by Jordan Montero.

This is the fourth monthly night market organized by the Excelsior Action Group. There will be one more in December, with some holiday cheer. 


The Birth Companions Community Center, a local nonprofit offering free, multilingual doula care and related services, is giving away free baby clothes, strollers and toys every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 29 San Juan Ave. off Mission Street. 

A folding table and bin on a sidewalk filled with children’s toys, shoes, helmets, and clothing, with a sign reading “SOLO EMBA-TRAZADAS BCCC” taped to the bin.
The Birth Companions Community Center was giving away free baby clothes, strollers and toys every on Nov. 5, 2026 at 29 San Juan Ave. off Mission Street. Photo by Xueer Lu.

If you can’t make it during the week, the giveaway also happens every first and third Saturday.

“We have been doing this for almost six years,” said Jeny Trejo, co-founder of the nonprofit.

Trejo added that the center also offers free baby showers for moms-to-be every three months. Each time, they host about 30 pregnant women and give away baby blankets, clothes, toys, strollers and baby bathtubs.

What and how much each mother gets is never guaranteed, as the organization relies mostly on donations, Trejo said. As the center gears up for the next baby shower, planned for Jan. 9, 2027, she said she welcomes any donation, including surplus food from restaurants. 

“Anything would be great,” Trejo said. 


A vacant storefront with a blue frame and a Kidder Mathews “Available” leasing sign in the window.
The Christian Pentecostal church at 4782 Mission St. near Russia Ave. has relocated from its Excelsior home to the Mission District. Its empty storefront captured on Nov. 5, 2026. Photo by Xueer Lu.

The Christian Pentecostal church at 4782 Mission St. near Russia Ave. has relocated from its Excelsior home to the Mission District, near 23rd and Mission streets. 

Pastor Jeremias Nolasco said they made the move about three months ago after the owner of the Excelsior building sold the property. They were told they had to leave the space they’d been leasing for the past four years. 

Nolasco said the church was able to secure the Mission spot within about two months, and that church attendees are making their way to the new location. 


Storefront of Zabb Cuisine restaurant with a red sign, glass windows, and an "OPEN" sign displayed on the door at 4440.
Zabb Thai Cuisine on Mission Street. Photo by Mariana Garcia.

Zabb Thai Cuisine, an Excelsior Thai staple at 4440 Mission St. at Francis Street, will be temporarily closed from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10, as its owner, Anna So, is going on a trip home to Thailand. 

So said it’s been 10 years since she’s been back, and she’ll be spending some well-deserved family time in Bangkok. 


Storefront with a metal security gate across the entrance, the address 4570 above the door, and a “Closed” sign in the window.
The Levant Rug Company, at 4570 Mission St. between Norton and Harrington streets, will have special hours this month. Storefront captured on Nov. 5, 2026. Photo by Xueer Lu.

The Levant Rug Company, at 4570 Mission St. between Norton and Harrington streets, will have special hours this month. Staff will be away exhibiting rugs at the Delaware Antiques Show from Nov. 3 to Nov. 20. 

If you want to browse the rug gallery, make an appointment by calling 415-714-0868 or emailing inquiries@peterpap.com. 


A storefront window with red vinyl text reading “Beauty For You” and a sign announcing that as of September 2026, the salon is closed on Sundays and open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm.
Beauty For You has new business hours on Nov. 5, 2026. Photo by Xueer Lu.

Beauty For You, a nail salon at 4830 Mission St. near Onongada Avenue, is now operating with new hours. 

The salon will be open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will be closed on Sundays.


A memorial flyer for Rolando Jose Dusau, 17, featuring his photo and a QR code to donate.
A poster remembering Roland Jose Dusuau posted outside of APEX Barbershop on Nov. 5, 2026. Photo by Xueer Lu.

A poster remembering Rolando Jose “RJ” Dusuau, a 17-year-old killed on Oct. 16 in Potrero Hill, was posted on the window of APEX Barbershop at 4802 Mission St. at Onongada Avenue, at  the request of a client who knows Dusuau’s family. 

A QR code to the GoFundMe page supporting the family was posted, along with a few words remembering Dusuau. 

“Smart. Funny. Driven. So full of life. His smile could light up any room,” it read. “Our family is facing a very hard time. Any help or share means more than we can say.”

Xueer works on data and covers the Excelsior. She joined Mission Local as part the inaugural cohort of the California Local News Fellowship in 2023.

Xueer is a bilingual journalist fluent in Mandarin. She graduated from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism with a Master's Degree. In her downtime, she enjoys cooking and scuba diving.

You can reach her securely on Signal @xueerlu.77.

Leave a comment

Please keep your comments short and civil. Do not leave multiple comments under multiple names on one article. We will zap comments that fail to adhere to these short and easy-to-follow rules.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *