Chef Dontaye Ball of Gumbo Social Takes Ownership of Café Mélange at San Francisco City Hall

Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Shamann Walton on March 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — March 5, 2026 — Café Mélange, the café located on the ground floor of San Francisco City Hall, will celebrate its Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, March 18, marking the official transition of ownership to Chef Dontaye Ball, owner of Gumbo Social and a longtime Bayview culinary leader.

The event will feature remarks and ribbon cutting participation from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, Chef Ball, and leadership from the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF). The formal program will take place from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, with guests invited to gather from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

The transition marks a major milestone for the café and reflects the results of NCLF’s Business Expansion Accelerator, which provides technical assistance, mentorship, and capital support to help small businesses grow into independent operations.

“My vision for Café Mélange is to create a place where we can elevate, promote, and show off Bayview culinary talent and San Francisco culinary talent citywide,” said Chef Dontaye Ball, owner of Café Mélange and Gumbo Social. “It’s an opportunity to bring different food artisans into City Hall to expose staff and visitors to some of the greatest food in the country, and also give fellow restauranteurs and food businesses an opportunity to show off their work.”

Located inside one of the city’s most visible civic buildings, Café Mélange serves City Hall staff, visitors, and the broader public. Under Ball’s ownership, the café will expand its programming to highlight local chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs through curated events and collaborations.

“My role as owner is really to help bring vision and unique talent into the café,” Ball said. “We want to curate events, elevate the work we’re already doing, and emphasize the café at City Hall in a way it hasn’t been before. The goal is to make it a top-tier café with the right investment and strategy.”

The grand reopening will also introduce several updates to the café, including refined menu offerings, expanded catering visibility, collaborations with local vendors and artists, and the exploration of new culinary technologies such as an AI-powered vending machine.

Café Mélange’s day-to-day operations are led by Lead Team Member Quanisha Johnson, former owner of Yes Pudding in San Francisco. Johnson has worked closely with Ball on Gumbo Social catering and other initiatives over the years and brings deep experience in hospitality and small business operations to the café’s leadership team.

“I’m excited to get the doors open and take over ownership so we can move this project forward,” Ball said. “We’re looking at things like pop-ups with local artists and vendors, bringing in fresh organic fruits and vegetables, and starting a café advisory committee so City Hall staff can have their voice heard.”

The March 18 celebration marks the next chapter for Café Mélange as it transitions into independent growth under Ball’s leadership while continuing to serve as a gathering place within San Francisco’s City Hall.

Event Details

Café Mélange Grand Reopening

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Program & Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Café Mélange

Ground Floor, San Francisco City Hall 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl

San Francisco, CA

About Café Mélange

Café Mélange is a café located inside San Francisco City Hall serving City Hall staff, visitors, and the public. The café highlights local culinary talent and provides opportunities for chefs, food entrepreneurs, and artists to share their work in one of the city’s most visible civic spaces.

Café Mélange

City Hall - Ground Floor

1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl

San Francisco, CA 94102

Hours: 7:30 AM - 3 PM (M - F)

Where to Get More Info About Gumbo Social

Want to know more? Read about our last event here: Gumbo Social Presents: Bayview Mardi Gras Celebration 2026

Follow @gumbosocial on Instagram for event updates or sign up for our email list.

Read more about Chef Dontaye Ball here. Get the Gumbo Social press kit here. Send interview requests to hello@gumbosocial.com.

PRESS

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