San Francisco Flower Mart opens in Potrero Hill

For more than a century, the SF Flower Mart has drawn florists and early risers to its bustling wholesale marketplace in the pre-dawn hours. Now, this 112-year-old San Francisco institution begins its next chapter at a brand-new, 125,000-square-foot facility at 901 16th Street in Potrero Hill. As one of the last remaining wholesale flower markets in the country, it continues to offer both commercial buyers and everyday flower lovers an unparalleled selection of fresh blooms—with public hours beginning at 8 a.m., and earlier admission for badge-holding wholesale members.

Although the Flower Mart’s roots trace back to an informal 1912 market on Market Street near Lotta’s Fountain, and it’s held previous addresses on Fifth and Howard Streets, its new home is designed to honor that historic legacy while expanding modern conveniences. This move marks a triumphant resolution to a years-long effort to preserve a one-of-a-kind marketplace where many workers can build careers without formal education or advanced language skills—a rarity in California’s changing economy.